Is it safe to visit Egypt?

The most common question that we get regarding our trip to Egypt is about safety.  Some do not consider Egypt a safe travel destination currently.  Although many do.  According to the UK government, "Over 900,000 British nationals visit Egypt every year. Most visits are trouble-free."  

Of course I was concerned when we were planning our trip.  We did hours of the research and I felt confident that we would be safe.  We can't tell you if it is safe to travel to Egypt, but I thought we should address the issue on our blog.  Because Matt is such an experienced traveler, I asked him to help me write this post to get the conversation started. 

Red Sea Fishing in Hurghada, Egypt

We decided to spend our last full day in Hurghada, Egypt out on the water.  We splurged a bit and chartered a fishing boat for the day.  It was just the two of us and a crew of four.  Our plan was to fish, snorkel, lunch and visit a sand bar.  It was the perfect way to spend our final day. 

The Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt

It's been almost three weeks since my surgery.  I'm amazed at how much better I'm feeling.  I'm still easily fatigued.  Any activity results in spending the next day in bed.  But did you notice I managed three blog posts last week?  I'm much more productive if I get out of the apartment and luckily there is a Starbucks just a block away.  At this rate, I'll be caught up in no time.  Today we're going back to Egypt.  I've done multiple posts from that one week, but it was such an incredible experience that I can't help myself.  Today I'll be showing you photos from the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor.

The Temple of Hatshepsut & Handling Vendors in Egypt

Ancient Egypt is a huge part of the curriculum in American schools.  Or at least it was when I was growing up.  We learned all about the pyramids and hieroglyphics.  My dad's collection of National Geographic was another source of information.  

Ancient Egypt is also very popular in Hollywood.  Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Raiders of the Lost Ark and who can forget Steve Martin's ode to King Tut.  You're going to have that little ditty in your head all day now.  You're welcome.  Or how about "Walk like an Egyptian" by the Bangles.  Even better.

It's obvious how Ancient Egypt has captured the imagination of generations of people.  To see it all up close and personal was a dream come true.  It's even more magnificent than you expect.

Luxor, Egypt

I still have several posts about our week in Egypt planned.  When the horrible crash of the Russian passenger plane happened last month, it was devastating.  To think of those hoilday-makers flying home full of memories of Egypt and then to be killed so tragically.  Then there is all of the speculation of it being a terrorist attack and possibly a bomb.

I thought initially there is no way that I can write about Egypt now.  More and more people are questioning whether it is a safe travel destination.  The plane crash in Sinai isn't the first time terrorism has rocked this country, specifically the tourism trade that supports thousands of Egyptians. 

But, then I changed my mind.  Of course I will write about our time in Egypt.  It was one of the most incredible weeks of my life.  I will not let fear keep me from traveling and I will not let terrorists keep me from sharing some photographs and stories of our time there.  The last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I think writing about Egypt is the right thing to do, especially in this situation.  So, on to our next stop.

The Great Pyramids of Egypt

There's a particular scene at the very end of Titanic that has always stuck with me.  Silver-haired Rose gets in bed and the camera pans across a series of framed photographs on her bedside table.  

We see photos of young Rose in various scenarios, in a cap and gown, climbing aboard a plane, sitting atop an elephant, surrounded by family members, beaming on a horse on the beach.  All photos meant to quickly convey a life well lived, a long and fulfilling life of adventure and happiness.  

I wonder what photos silver haired Selena will keep on her nightstand.  Graduations, weddings, Jessica, grandbabies and great grandbabies. What travel moments will I want to surround myself with?  Me on a camel at the great pyramids of Egypt will definitely be on that nightstand.  

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt

When we were planning our trip to Egypt we started off with a week-long resort stay in Hurghada.  During one planning session I looked at Matt and said "But, I can't go to Egypt without seeing the pyramids."  I think it was the tears in my eyes threatening to spill over that convinced him that we needed to explore further than the resort. Of course, he was easily convinced.  So not only did we add on a Private Cairo/Giza Tour but also a Private Luxor Tour which we booked through Egypt Tours Portal. 

Palm Royale Soma Bay Egypt

When we were planning our trip to Egypt we decided on the resort of Hurghada rather than the more popular Sharm el Sheikh.  The beach resort we selected was the Five Star Palm Royale Soma Bay, the home of Casanova. The reviews on TripAdvisor were overall pretty positive and I found them to also be pretty accurate. 

Casanova the Camel

I'm currently editing the photos from our week in Egypt.  It was one of our top three trips and I can't wait to tell you more.  

I'll start by introducing you to the handsome Casanova who resides at the Palm Royale Soma Bay in Hurghada.  This was our home base for our trip and it was a great choice.

Instagram Egypt

I've started editing the photos, but it will still be a few weeks before I start posting about our week in Egypt.  I couldn't let another day pass without something on the blog.  

I'm addicted to travel and every trip is a treasured experience.  But there are a few trips that have affected me on a deeper level.  Egypt was absolutely one of those life-changing experiences.  I don't really know how to explain it.  It went by so fast but I can remember almost every single moment.  

The place, the people, the history, the dessert, the red sea, the tombs, the pyramids... all of it combined into the most epic week.  I love the way it challenged me, both physically and mentally.  It caused a big shift in my worldview of the both the ancient and the modern.  That's where travel holds the most magic.  Where it changes you.  Egypt changed me.

It's also been a difficult trip to return from.  I commute to work and sit at my desk longing to be traveling again and experiencing other parts of the world.  Egypt has taken my wanderlust to all new levels.  

Here are a few of my instagram photos from that week to give you a taste.  I couldn't resist adding a little music, so click on the mute button bottom right if you're at work.

What place has caused a shift in your worldview?

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