The moment I suspected my Seasonal Affective Disorder was becoming more than just seasonal I ran into my nearest travel agent ‘s and booked a holiday in Egypt & UAE last winter.A memorable days of exploration one of the earliest  civilisations.Cruise the river Nile from Luxor to Aswan.Visit the Valley of the Kings and Medinet Habou…..Plus the great Pyramids and enigmatic Sphinx?Yes please !

I touched down in Dubai after a surprisingly relaxing six hours flight(the Emirates cabin crew set the tone for the holiday by wearing the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen at 37,000 ft)…..And a two –hour transfer brought me to Cairo.A warm welcome from an experienced friendly tour director met me on arrival and transferred me to my hotel.The hotel was just perfect for me…that is my home away from home.I was welcomed with a drink,my baggage delivered to my room.A selected deluxe bedroom with all amenities&facilities unrivalled quality and value in standards of accommodation and service.The rest of my day was free to discover the amazing contrasts of ancient and modern Egypt.

The next day was full of amazing highlights.First my tour director drove me to Memphis to see the limestone colossus of Ramses 11 and the giant alabaster Sphinx.Next on to Sakkara where the step pyramid heralded the start of the pyramid age.Then,a breathtaking experience,as we marvel at one of the seven wonder of the ancient world,the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx,which casts its enigmatic gaze across the timeless sands of the desert.Then I visited the papyrus museum and the golden palace of perfume..I bought many essential oils which are exported to France famous brands Chanel,YSL to mention a few…I returned back to my hotel and cruised the hotel shops and purchased some souvenirs.Day two an afternoon journey from Cairo to Luxor by train.On arrival,the rest of the morning’s at leisure,before I boarded the fabulous legendary Nile Cruise ship on a luxury cruise ship for lunch…(the ship,a 5 star feature with ensuite bathroom,shower…There is TV with video channels,music system.On board facilities of this superb vessel include a swimming pool and sun deck runs the length and width of the ship,a lounge for massage(I managed to have a full body massage)dancing and folklore entertainment,a large restaurant serving Egyptian and international cuisine and gift shop.Later I visited the grand Temple of Luxor which dominates the town and also the gigantic temple complex @ Karnak.I explored the mighty temple of Amun with its mass of obelisks,pylons,colossi and courts.Plus marveled at the remains of the amazing avenue of the Sphinx which once stretched between the temples of Karnak and Luxor.Afterwards,I returned to my cruise ship for dinner.

(Luxor-Edfu)the day three highlight was a visit to the Valley of the Kings secluded in the Theban Hills,it is where the New Kingdom Pharaohs were buried in dramatically shafted tombs built into the hillsides.Next I visited the Temple of the Medinet Habou and continued on to the breathtaking Deir el -ahri,Queen Hatshepsut’s impressive terraced and colonnaded temple.Later I returned to the ship and sailed for Edfu.The morning of day four I visited Edfu to see Egypt’s best preserved cult temple which was dedicated to the falcon god Horus.Then I continued the tranquil cruise along the Nile arriving at Kom-Ombo.I relaxed on deck and watched primitive villages on the banks of the river glide by.I was told they have changed a little in a thousand years.

I visited the roofless temple of Kom Ombo which was built for the falcon and crocodile gods,before I cruised to Aswan.What was next a memorable and traditional felucca ride across the Nile to visit the botanical gardens on Kitchener’s island.The feluca is the traditional craft of Egyptians who have sailed in them down the centuries.An awesome sight is a blood-red sunset which is common place in Aswan,with the distinctive sails of dozens of feluca’s silhouetted against the setting sun.After breakfast I disembarked to explore the high dam of Aswan.Then I  visited the temple of Isis in the island of Philae and the massive Unfinished Obelisk lying in the granite quarries nearby.My tour guide told me to take the opportunity for an excursion to the might Sun Temple of Abu Simbel,flanked by four giant stone statues of Ramses 11.The temple was reclaimed from the dam and reconstructed in its present and unforgettable location unfortunately I couldn’t make it I was exhausted!!Finally I returned to Aswan for the return journey to Cairo.The next day I enjoyed a full day of sightseeing including the Citadel,a spectacular complex dominating Cairo’s skyline.Next my tour director brought me to visit the Sultan Hassan’s Mosque and Mohammad Ali’s alabaster mosque with its highly decorated and ornate interior.In old Cairo I visited the Hanging church of St’s Mary above the old water gate.I also visited the Egyptian Musuem home of the King Tutankhamon’s priceless treasures discovered by Howard Carter in the valley of the kings in 1922.That evening ,time was on my own to do as I like.A friend drove me to Maadi as I wanted to bring home some Egyptian basbosas&sweets.We had a delicious Egyptian pizza and later  enjoyed belly dancing.

Next day I bid farewell to the tour director and thanked him who had escorted me  throughout my visit.His remarkable skills and talents had constantly amazed and delighted me.Egypt is best to visit in winter.

I then boarded Emirates for my return flight Dubai.I was recovered from the shock of staying in Cairo.I jumped into the transfer car later I arrived at my hotel.Nothing had prepared me for the grandness of the hotel,built in the style of an Arabian fortress with sumptuous gold and marble reception.My room was stunning fit for a  Sheikh.I set off to explore with four restaurants(Arabian,Mediterrenean,Moroccan&Oriental)a night club,bars,ballroom,gym,tennis courts,spa and the largest swimming pool in the Gulf.I had been hard pressed to find a spare minute to twiddle my thumbs.My fantastic day was rounded off in one the hotel’s exquisite restaurants.I spent 4 days in Dubai exhausted with shopping in glamorous beautiful malls.I returned home on the eve of New Year 2007.Im toying the idea of visiting the Norvegian Fjords and why not climbing the Everest !!!