I went to EGYPT!

Egypt was great, but the best thing of all was meeting up with my little sis Katie:) We arrived in Cairo and stayed in a resort called the oasis for the first night and then were transferred to another hotel called the pyramisa right in the city. Our transfer ride was interesting, we had just been joking about how we would have to really brave to get in one of their taxis on these crazy roads when they came to inform us that our hotel bus wasn't able to get us soo...the taxi it was...aarrrh!!!


Katie by the pool with her cocktail:)




the taxi with our luggage on the roof!!!

Once we got to our new hotel "The Pyramisa" a little more in central Ciaro, we decided to explore a little by ourselves while we had the free time. It was fun just walking together (without a map!!) and just having a lookm around. For me it was nice to see muslim women holding hands with their boyfriends and not all in abayas. The nile in Cairo wasnt too much to rave about, but i suppose its the same for most rivers through a capital city. We went down a little alley way and got some munchies to take on our trip, it was getting dark so we thought we'd better figure out how to get back to our hotel. On the way, some dude stopped us sayuing hello and that he knew we were looking for the pyramisa! I was a little freaked out and supicious, whereas Katie was chatting freely. Anyway, after all the talking, he took us to his shop where he sold perfumes and papyrus, told us everything to prove genuineness and that on tours they take you to places wrhere the prices are doubled for the commission for the tour guide and company. I was still unsure, but looking back, this guy was awesome, he was genuine and had quality products. So got him as a cotact if anyone heads to Cairo. He later took Katie to a jewellery place for her to get her Katoush and Anch. Two other girls joined us, they were studying in Egypt. We later had mango juice and shee-sha together, it was really awesome. I couldn't believe how we set out to just walk around a bit and explore and how fun and surprising it turned out to be. Katies great personality really made it too!!!!



The Nile in Cairo

The bomby cars that get around bumper-to-bumper making five lanes out of four that only need a good working horn to be considered road worthy!

Katie bird in Cairo

Katie buying perfumes





Hanging out together with out mango juices and smoking she-sha apple flavour

THE PYRAMIDS and THE SPHINX

We visited the step pyramid first and then went to the Giza pyramids and then to the sphinx. After that we were taken to a perfume place and the papyrus factory. Beore all that we went to the museum--that is really worth a look! I couldn't believe some of the things they found, like the artifacts from tutanchkauns tomb! Also, the highlight would be seeing the royal mummies museum! It was amazing to see these mummies from thousands of years ago!!



Step pyramid



The Giza Pyramids and us walking like egyptions!!--my aussie travel buddies--Tanya and Rob and Peta!




The Sphinx



Lunch on a boat



The citadel and the mosque in Cairo



The most fun markets ive been to--laughed all the way as the store people try and get you to come in as if they were trying to pick you up, was hilarious!

On the train to Aswan!!



The cocktail welcome drinks on our cruise boat in Aswan





Edfu Temple




Relaxing at the pool as we cruise to Luxor





The Galabiah dress-up party!!!





Visit to the tombs and Hatchupsoot temple




More temples



Alerbaster factory--very entertaining!




A Flauucca sunset cruise on the Nile.





This was a huge temple in Luxor covering acres of land. The Kharneck temple.



Our last day we were in Cairo and spent the day out together, had a great Egyption lunch at Felfellas then got a small taxi back and flew home that night.

Saudi October

Im so sorry, it has been so long since i updated this! When i got back from Thailand i was straight back into work and back into the swing of things, my "normal" life in Saudi.

Have had some nice dinners with my friends and work collegues.



A lot of dinners though lately have been "maasalama" dinners--so many people are leaving. Saudi isnt for everyone. One of our aussie friend above --michelle--has just gone back to australia, she was a cool chicky babe on my ward, but i spose i will see her again sometime. Also one of my lovely friends julia has just gone back to Canada and i tell you what you really do notice when a good friend goes because you become like family who live a few steps away from each other here. Will have to make a trip over there sometime soon:)

THAILAND--August

I LOVED IT!! It was a week that i needed! I had 2 nights in Bangkok, 3 in Koh Samui and 1 in Bangkok before we flew back to Saudi. Bangkok was busy and humid.





Lots of street markets, tuktuk taxis and bright coloured taxis and food stalls.

We spent the first night at the night bizarre sussing out prices and the battering technique (which i hate and completely suck at!!!). Didn't buy too much this night but had fun and a good look around. There was live music, bars and lots of food places to choose from. So of course i enjoyed several yummy thai samples!!!







While in Bangkok we also went to the floating markets. It was really fun on the boats amongst the chaos, very hectic boat jam!






After that we went to the temples, it was nice, but a little commercialised. The goldern buddah was enormous! I liked the little quieter temple.




We had a yummy dinner at this groovy restaurant that specialised in salads like green mango or green papaya salad. Then spent the rest of the evening wandering around saium square and saw more street markets.

Flew to Koh Samui on a really small cute little plane and landed in a really little airport that was instantly so relaxing. Got a car and went to our resort---yey yey yey i got to drive again!!!!



Settled into our place, checked out the beach, went for a swim and later headed into the busy area with food, bars and markets stalls. It was so busy, i couldn't believe how many tourists are on the island!! Koh Samui was really nice though, island breakfast, relaxing in the sun, reading and swimming was really what i needed, but the best of all was the thai massages--i am totally addicted!! They are so relaxing and calming, but at the same time leave you feeling alert and refreshed.
During my entire stay i had 5 massages in total--2 in bangkok and 3 in koh samui!!!

We went and checked out parts of the island and a detox type of retreat, then had dinner at Big Johns and were fortunate to be there when they put on a cultural dance show. It was really nice to watch, but it was staring to rain and get a bit stormy.

My favourite day was when we checked out "the grandparents" (bizarre rock formations in the shape of male and female genitalia), went for the elephant ride in the jungle to the river and then we trekked up to this waterfall and had a swimm. I thought i was going to die getting up there--it was so challenging, but the waterfall was so awesome to swim in, so invigorating and a perfect reward! The elephant was really cute her name was "lady" in english and she was 35yrs old. I got to feed her bananas too, their trunks are amazing and she had really long eyelashes and pink spotty ears. I can definately say that horse riding is much more comfortable! We were so lucky too, we were able to ride her sitting on the neck with her ears flapping!! It was so fun, i loved it. We had yet another yummy thai dinner that night. I think Hadi had Tom yum every chance he could get and lots of fresh seafood too. I especially loved the fresh fruits during the day. There is something about thailand-- i think it casts a spell over you because i definately want to go back!! Even certain smells remind me and make me think of how awesome it is. Its was an excellent week away. I will have to go there again because there is so much more to see.

Another month!

wow, another month has passed! Have been busy with work, drinking coffee with my friends, trying different restaurants with tamara and a few work mates. Enjoying work and the people i work with. Met a new girl from Brzil, but she has been in Aussie for past 4yrs, so we went tothe museum together. All is great. Heading to Thailand tonight for a week---yeh, i know, i could've gone from aussie coz its closer and cheaper, but couldn't get flights tosuit for cyprus and egypt and all the close countries are really expensive at this tme coz it is the saudi summer break, so saudi is very quiet at the moment. Better go, my taxi or what they call them is "limosine" is her in 10mins. Will update more when i back from thailnd. So just want to chill out, maybe have a nice cocktail even! !2hrshifts starting to catch up with me! cheers anyeways guys xxxx

Its been 3months!!!

I can't believe how quickly the last three months have gone by! I am still here and enjoying my time in the kingdom! Have been working and hanging out with tamara a lot, but she has just flown to munich, and my friend hadi has gone to lebanon, and serena is on nights, and julia is doing overtime and my other friends are on the 'A' team roster, so.... its just me at the moment. Ive got a busy roster this week anyway so it works out well while my friends are away. Got my king shift this week-the extra shift we have to do. Its getting really hot now, so seem to be indoors a lot now, shopping etc. Had a pool party one weekend which was really fun. I will put some more random photos on.


A few of us at a compound party


Julia and I


The clocktower near deira souks and chop-chop square



me near chop chop square (not a very nice place t be on a friday if there is a beheading--yes, i know, its grose coz it still happens here for real!!!)



An alley that looked something like a scene from the aladdin cartoon!!!

more desert and camels!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am still here guys!!!

Yey yey yey---my internet is finally working again so it is time to addmore photos! Not much has really been happening lately, i was sick for a bit so didn't do much for a while and other than that have been very busy at work. It is getting hotter and hotter here everyday so going to the desert might not happen as often. I still have so much to see, but have to organise a few people to come with me coz its not a good idea to go by yourself here. I want to see the sights recommended in the lonly planet guide that are in riyadh while im here--its not much tho, just the museum and a historic site, the shopping malls (which i've been to a few times now) and some historical fortress. Once ive done hat i will try to get to see a bit more of saudi. Planning to do a dive course sometime so will have to go to jeddah for that. i will just put a few random photos on since it has been so long since i last could access my blog. hope it keeps working, i missed chatting to you guys!!!


Hadi and i cooking dinner at a hash camp out--yes i did camp everyone!!!

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More proof that i camped---no tent either, under the stars in the middle of the desert (ewwoo, with all the bugs too!!!)

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awesome fossils in the desert--it used to be a huge ocean, i have collected some, mostly clams and shells.