Zealand Publishing House

Zealand Publishing House

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June 2005 · Middle East Trip

David & Noel Coory's Journey to Egypt

A travel diary documenting the first leg of an epic Middle East adventure — Israel and Jordan to Egypt

Israel

Today Wednesday 6 July

/

Tomorrow Thursday 7 July

First Look

Overall Impressions of Egypt

  • Ancient wonders standing proudly through millennia.
  • Rich history visible in everyday surroundings.
  • Chaotic traffic but surprisingly organized movement.
  • Warm hospitality despite cultural differences.
  • Fascinating blend of old and new.
  • Deeply rooted traditions shape daily life.
  • Magnificent pyramids inspire awe and curiosity.
  • Vibrant street life full of energy.
  • Intense desert heat dominates experiences.
  • Strong religious and cultural identity.
  • Colorful markets and persistent local vendors.
  • Extraordinary archaeological treasures everywhere.
  • Contrasts between luxury and simplicity.
  • Nile River sustains life amid desert.
  • Friendly guides enhance cultural understanding.
  • Unique architecture reflects ancient civilization.
  • Memorable sights at every turn.
  • Tourist-focused economy visible throughout.
  • Authentic local experiences beyond attractions.
  • A captivating and unforgettable destination.
Thursday 7 July

ARRIVAL IN CAIRO

A Warm Welcome To Egypt

All the Arabs in the Royal Air Jordan plane that we are on, clap when the plane lands at Cairo airport at night. Noel and I think this is very amusing. Nabil meets us at the airport. Nabil is our young Egyptian tour arranger for this leg of our trip. He is single, short, well dressed, polite and a Coptic Christian.

The driver of our white tourist van/bus is Mohamed. He is Moslem. Nabil tells us he has three wives and is now thinking of taking a fourth. Mohamed turns around and gives us a big grin when Nabil says this. Four wives are the maximum a Moslem is allowed.
We were to discover that most men in Egypt are called Mohamed, or Ahmed, after the Moslem prophet.
“All the Arabs in the Royal Air Jordan plane that we are on, clap when the plane lands at Cairo airport at night.”
Cairo airport is crowded.
Nabil our Egyptian tour arranger and Noel in Cairo.

CAIRO AFTER DARK

A City Of Chaos, Noise And Energy

The night drive from the airport to our hotel is unforgettable. I’ve never seen anything like it. Five lanes of fast moving traffic. All drivers completely ignoring the road lane markings. Honking, swerving, flashing headlights, cutting each other off, just inches away from each other. Reminds me of the dodgems. Everybody’s going way too fast. Dented cars everywhere.

Apart from the crazy driving, Cairo looks highly exotic at night. Date palms, ancient stone buildings.

“Five lanes of fast moving traffic. All drivers completely ignoring the road lane markings.”

SETTLING IN

First Night At The Resort

It’s a long drive from the airport to our Cataract Pyramids Resort Hotel. The hotel is large and flash from the outside, but our rooms are only so so.
The first room assigned to us has not been cleaned. The porter apologises profusely and asks us to wait outside by the lights near the swimming pool, while he arranges another room. The swimming pool is huge, about half an acre in size.
It’s a warm night, but no insects anywhere that we can see. We are then shown to our new room. Rather small, but at ground level, like most of the rooms in this sprawled out hotel. There are no windows that open in our room at all. At least the air conditioner works.
“The swimming pool is huge, about half an acre in size.”
ChatGPT Image Jun 10, 2026, 09_17_06 PM
The huge hotel pool.

David & Noel Coory · Middle East Trip

June 2005  ·  Tauranga, New Zealand to Singapore and beyond Redesigned with care · Original travel diary preserved