First of many...

So as most, or all, of you know, I elected not to move to Dallas (booo TX) in February with my company. I have decided to take advantage of my vacation and hit up a few spots on the globe. I guess technically my first trip was to Alaska with my mom in June. But now I'm going on a big trip, just me armed with a large backpack, lonely planet guide to the middle east, and a camera so that I can insure I will never forget my travels. A few of you have asked for details of my itinerary (my mom in particular has asked several times), I've included the details at the bottom. To sum it up though, I leave on August 26th (yes, that's in 2 days!) for Cairo and will immediately make my way to Jordan, then Israel, and back down to Cairo for a tour of Egypt. When I get the opportunity I will try to post something for you guys to read, or at the very least assure you I'm safe. Hopefully you guys will send me some comments, in case I forget about all the people that love me back in the US and decide to stay in the Middle East, or more likely, not catch my connecting flight out of Amsterdam on the way home. ;)

With much love for all of you,
Tiger

"Always do what you are afraid to do." - Ralph Waldo Emerson


Itinerary:

8/27 Thurs Arrive Cairo 3:25pm
Overnight bus to Taba leaves at 10:15pm
8/28 Fri Arrive Taba in early AM, cross to Eilat, cross to Aqaba
Stay in Moon Beach Hotel
Diving or Snorkeling if time permits
8/29 Sat Dive or snorkel in Aqaba
Stay at Moon Beach Hotel
8/30 Sun Bus to Wadi Rum at 6:30am
4x4 or camel trip, overnight?
8/31 Mon Bus to Wadi Musa 8:30am
Explore Petra
9/1 Tues Petra in morning
Bus to Amman
9/2 Wed Explore Amman
9/3 Thurs Day trip to Jerash and Ajloun
Bus to Madaba
Stay at Mariam Hotel
9/4 Fri Day trip to Dead Sea - hike at Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve
9/5 Sat Madaba to King Hussein Bridge
Bus to Jerusalem
9/6 Sun Day trip to Ein Gedi/Dead Sea
9/7 Mon Explore Jerusalem
9/8 Tues Bus 405 to Tel Aviv
Explore Tel Aviv
9/9 Wed Bus to Be'er Sheva
Visit Museum of Bedouin Culture
Stay with Hadas
9/10 Thurs Bus 60 to Mitzpe Ramon
Hike around Mitzpe Ramon
Return to Be'erSheva
Stay with Hadas
9/11 Fri Bus 397 to Eilat
Dolphin Reef if time permits
9/12 Sat Hiking in Eilat Mountains
9/13 Sun Cross border to Taba and catch 10:30 am bus to Cairo (9hr trip)

Egypt tour - Day 1 is 9/13 The last day is 9/27.
Day 1 Arrive Cairo
Arrive in Cairo at any time.

Day 2 Cairo (B,D)
Cairo is full of life and movement. Visit the pyramids in Giza, the Sphynx, or get lost in the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a shopper's paradise.

Day 3-4 Aswan (2B,D)
Walk around Egypt's southernmost city, set along the Nile. Stroll the broad Corniche, get lost in the lively market, venture out by camel to St Simeon's Monastery or cross the river to old Elephantine Island.

Day 5 Felucca Trip (B,L,D)
Enjoy the scenery on a traditional felucca as it glides the Nile en route to Luxor, the ancient capital of Egypt. Take an excursion to Kom Ombo, the temple dedicated to the crocodile god and the falcon gods.

Day 6-8 Luxor (3B)
Ride a donkey to the west bank and Valley of Kings. Stroll along the Nile Corniche, or unlock the secrets of the Pharaonic mummies in the world's first mummification museum.

Day 9 Hurghada (B)
Explore clear water, pristine reefs and shipwrecks. Relax in the sun and enjoy watersports, such as swimming, scuba diving, wind surfing or snorkelling.

Day 10-11 Dahab (2B)
Named after the Arabic word for gold, Dahab has great snorkelling and diving, with sand and sun - perfect to relax.

Day 12 Mt Sinai (B)
Climb to the summit of Mt Sinai for spectacular desert views and a visit to St Katherines monastery - an unforgettable day.

Day 13-14 Cairo (2B)
Enjoy a guided walk through Islamic Cairo before the Khan el-Khalili markets to test your bargaining skills. Savour a dinner and show on one of Cairo’s famous floating restaurants to cap off your visit.

9/28-10/3 is unplanned as of right now. I'm going to try to arrange a separate tour to the Bahariya Desert and Siwa Oasis unpon arrival.

Return to SB on 10/3.