This is a photo of me at Mara House with two lovely guests in 2010 – see how tired I looked? Well that was a lovely tiredness because it came from long hours at the computer 7 days a week, answering emails, taking bookings for Mara House and our Salahadeen Restaurant – and mostly refusing…
Luxor and Cairo Airports – what you need to know about your arrival and departure, entry visas and taxi transfers
Learn about the intriguing encounters that lead travelers to unexpected experiences, both genuine and questionable. Embrace caution…
Foreign media, Egyptian Media, Travel Agents, Tour Companies not to mention some of the frequent visitors to Egypt – many seem to be up in arms over the new law that comes into effect on 15 May 2015. The law says a visitor to Egypt has to get their entry visa from the Egyptian Embassy…
What kind of food will I eat in Egypt? Serious question if you are going to be there for any length of time. 18 years ago I went on my first Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with 25 other Irish people. I can safely say ‘we ate our way through the cruise!’ Every one…
If someone suggested to you that a Nile Cruise would be a good idea for your next holiday, what would your automatic reaction be? Sometimes people tell me they would find it too boring just sitting on a ship 24/7. It’s usually not a good idea to jump to conclusions. A Nile Cruise is anything…
Not having slept on the plane I expected to fall into bed and go unconscious on arrival at my hotel around 3am. Not a hope – spent most of the night talking with my travelling companion and feeling more awake and excited than sleepy. As to be expected I was not really in the mood…
Though I have lived in Egypt since 2003 I never really looked at what was available for babies until last January when I travelled with my two year old grand-son, Jonny. Consequently most of my luggage was taken up with everything I thought I would need for him. When we travelled again in May, I…
We all have questions and we all have problems of one kind or another, so we seek answers. Growing up I used to go to libraries and bookshops, run my eyes over the shelves and whisper “What is here for me today?” Invariably I would come away with anything from 1 to 6 books I…
Egypt’s newly-elected president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi appeared on television an hour after he was named the country’s new leader to express his gratitude over the election results. “My emotions are mixed with happiness and aspiration: my happiness for what you have achieved and my aspiration to be worthy of your trust,” said the ex-defence minister, who…
The number one prized objective of thieves in Luxor these days appears to be the humble manhole cover. Of course with the high price of metals of all kinds now that might not seem so surprising to many. However, when pondering the sight of the half open manhole cover outside our balcony today a very…
Exceptional Service at Luxor Airport: A Journey of Kindness and Assistance As a hotel owner in Luxor, Egypt, I frequently hear lovely stories of kindness and generosity. Today I want to tell you about a heartwarming experience of my own at Luxor Airport and with Egypt Air, emphasising the exceptional service from the manager of…
Not only is Ancient Egypt still presenting the world with an unending supply of hitherto unsolved mysteries – modern Egypt is also presenting it’s mysteries and puzzles. If what happened in Egypt in 2011 and the ongoing effects of the ‘revolution’ had happened anywhere else in the world it would have been – and been…
Dahab in Egypt – wouldn’t you love to chill out with these happy people?
I’m pretty good with computers, technology etc. and have spent hours upon (sometimes frustrated) hours fixing computer and internet problems…until one day I met a great guy called Ehab Edward. I call him the ‘Tech Doc’ and never again will I waste a precious hour with a computer or internet problem – now I pick…
2014 – In the streets behind and away from the East Bank of Egypt’s famous Nile River and the strip where the 5 star hotels are located – Luxor is dying. It is no wonder that people speak nostalgically about the Mubarak days, curse the brotherhood and are waiting for a miracle from El Sisi. …
Why do so many people dream of going to Egypt? Why do we feel the ‘pull’? You know, when you think about it -the answer is rather obvious. We all came ‘Out of Africa’. Not so long ago, a friend told me about a company in the US called 23andme.com . This company provides a…
LATEST NEWS: 1. Following allegations that ALL striking staff members at the Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor are part of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood – 10 employees were taken away by Police for questioning yesterday…..unique way to deal with striking workers….hope it is not a sign of things to come! 2. Mid-day yesterday 5 employees…
When speaking of Egypt’s 2011 Revolution and the Arab Spring many like to say that Egypt revolted for bread, dignity and social justice. But which Egypt revolted? And against whom did Egypt revolt? Let’s play along with what may appear obvious here – but it is no harm to keep at the back of your…
This has got to be my favourite video!! Woman dances for joy after voting in Egypt’s Constitutional Referendum – just look at all the happy faces 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153641636000391