Egypt travels part two

Well have done a bit since my last post when I got here.
On the 26th travelled from Cairo to Ain Sokna. We drove to Coptic Cairo before leaving the city and visited the Hanging church which was named this as it was built on the top of a Roman Gatehouse.
Coptic services were still being held when we visited so it was a really funny feeling to be able to enter church and take photos.

Hanging Church out and inside

We also visited a Jewish Synagogue in this area that had been bought off the Coptic church and converted to a synagogue.
Travelling to Ain Sokna we went through the Eastern Desert stopping on the out skirts of Cairo for a rest and snack stop.
Much of the Eastern Desert has been claimed now by the Army and used by them.

Eastern Desert

On arriving at Hotel in Ain Sokna we were shown to our rooms. Rest of afternoon was free so I went for a wander down to the beach and around the hotel grounds.

Main building and pool at Ain Sokna

That night we were lucky enough to see a belly dancer performing, she was very good and I had to drag my self away at about 10.00pm as we had an early start the next day when we were to visit two Coptic monasteries.

Two Monasteries we visited were Saint Paul and Saint Antony, both are situated in the Eastern Desert on the Red Sea coast and amazingly both have water supplies that seem to come from nowhere.

As it is heading in Easter season we were lucky to see one of Monastery churches being decorated for Palm Sunday.

Old dining room and church being decorated at Coptic monastery

Our journey the next day took us to Alexandria via Cairo and El Alamein.

At El Alamein we visited military museum and the Commonwealth cemetery. It is at this site that my Great Uncle who died in WWII is buried so I was looking forward to finding his grave. On getting there it turned out that book had been stolen that gave you locations of graves and it turned out in to quite a mission to find Uncle Allan's grave, but thanks to the persistence to our tour director we finally did and I was able to place NZ flag and poppy on it.

Commonwealth cemetery

Cairo finally!

Finally I'm here, it Egypt!!! After 26 hours of no sleep in was good to get here. Discovered I Still can not sleep on planes. Other than this flights were good. A bit of turbulence during second one between Singapore and Cairo but thats all.
Had transit of 6 hours at Singapore airport and spent most of it travelling between terminals 1, 2 and on the sky trains and wandering around terminals for something to do.
Arrived in Cairo at 8.03am this morning and was met my tour rep who helped me at various stages entering the country. Was then taken to my hotel where thankfully my room was ready for me. Shower and straight to bed. Slept for 6 hours not waking up till 3pm.
Went for a wander around the hotel and then had dinner at one of hotel restaurants.
Shall now add some photos

Singapore Girl during flight from Auckland to Singapore

View of Australia from the air

Singapore Airport

View of Cairo and Nile from the Air

 My hotel room at the Fairmont hotel by Cairo airport

 Various views of hotel

Well this time on Wednesday I will be winging it to Singapore on my way to Egypt.

Have been meaning to restart blog for a while but had little inspiration to do so.

Inspiration back, I wonder why!!!

Last night at home tonight, and staying at mum & dad's tomorrow night and we will leave from there. My sister Kimberley is also flying out of NZ on Wednesday to Aussie so two in our family are heading out of the country.

Am really looking forward to my trip. My bags have been packed and unpacked a number of times as I decided what I needed and didn't need.

Roll on Wednesday :)