Now and then you see sights that leave a lasting impression on your brain well this for me is one. Visited here about thirty years ago and what a joy to come back again to Cairo and visit those pyramids of Giza. The 'great' pyramid itself is truly an astonishing work of engineering skill - for over four thousands years, until the modern era, it was the tallest building in the world. The sides are oriented to the four cardinal points of the compass and the length of each side at the base is 755 feet (230.4 m). They rise at an angle of 51 52' to a height , originally, of 481 feet (147 m) but nowadays 451 feet (138 m). It was constructed using around 2,300,000 limestone blocks, weighing, on average, 2.5 tons each. Although some weigh as much as 16 tons. Until recently, relatively speaking, it was cased in smooth limestone but this was plundered to build Cairo. Some tell me that slaves were used to build it. Is it conceivable that by bringing together so many people and giving them a common goal, that of making a mountain, a national identity is forged in their hearts. From Upper and Lower Egypt communities would have got to know each other and a common bond would have been manifest in the object of the pyramid. If this is true it is unique because all other forms of nationalism have grown out of war. For example England and France in the Hundred years war and the USA through the revolutionary, civil and Indian wars. the policeman below had an enjoyable job on patrol but a boring one I would assume. George and our guide who is a native of Cairo were informative and a delight to be with. I think she is related to that actor Omar Sharriff, is her first cousin once removed. She looks like him too.

Met some visitors to the resort of Nuewiba which is on the Gulf of Aquaba and we had many an interesting chin wag. In the front of the group is a lady who was a real English Rose, next to her was another lady with a strange accent, reminded me of the Queen. Beside her was her consort who was a bit put out as he forgot his pipes (bagpipes). In the rear with the jumper was this gent with an accent vaguely familiar but he was having strange dreams and illusions about a white ball which he pushes around a field and then all he wanted to do was get rid of it down a hole. Strange man who needs stronger glasses. Now the lady clutching her handbag and her arms folded is a real dark horse alltogher. She is married to the fellow with the sunglasses hanging off his shirt. I had to watch him as he is a bit of lady killer and charmer, likes nothing better than showing off his legs and drinking some strange maroon connoction, he told me it was a great medicine. Anyway the lady clutching the money comes from a fair city and is a writer for a downmarket broadsheet newspaper and a more seedier journal which only can be purchased in an adult shop. Since the police watch this site I will not tell you what city as she might get arrested. Had to smudge out the lady with the blue top as she cannot be seen by anyone else, except her husband ....it is a new style religion of hers. We all had a wonderful time together and have many a fine tale to tell and relive through the remaining winter months

There is a bit of a vagrant in me and on one trip I took to the blue hole in Dehab for some snorkelling which let me tell you was just out of this world. Sights of life below the waterline are a joy to view. I saw as I walked down the street some interesting signs. The staff at the Hilton in Nuewiba were a joy to meet again and they have a knack to make you feel at home even on St. Valentine's night. I hope you have enjoyed some of these photographs

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Please note that these photographs were taken on digital camera; images are compressed to aid speedy downloading and do not reflect the quality of final photographic prints.