Today, we were driven through the crazy Cairo traffic to two of the most extravagant mosques from the Middle Ages. I was asked to wear a green sack-like garment to enter but no head covering. The mosques had intricate wood carvings and lovely mosaics.
After the mosques, we visited the Khan Al Khalil Bazaar in old Cairo. Our guide tipped a market security man to follow us through the market as we bartered for purses, dresses, photo albums, and other souvenirs. Prices were extremely inflated. It was a bit challenging to find the true "best" price as some items were marked up only ~ 50% and others were inflated by up to 10 times the actual price we paid. If you really want the very best deal, it helps to negotiate the item at one stand, sticking to a very low price. If the vendor declines, walk away and try upping your offer slightly at the next stand. Often, I wasn't this dedicated to getting the absolute best deal as long as the price seemed fair. I really enjoyed the vendors who were playful and funny, some actually saying "Lady, come back... how can I take your money?" Only a couple of the vendors seemed truly aggressive in their sales spiels, though we may have had a very different experience without our private security detail accompanying us.
After the market, our guide suggested a papyrus museum and shop as a place to buy authentic papyrus artwork (the papyrus drawings in the market are made on cheaper banana and sugar cane and quickly deteriorate). We watched the papyrus saleman demonstrate how papyrus is made and he told us about the meaning behind several of the depictions. We requested personalized drawings with names written in hieroglyphics.
After the museum, we headed back to the hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner at the Lebanese restaurant by the pool.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.