hello from egypt
Hi! Well the rest of Italy was really good... went to the markets at Pistoia which were really... interesting - felt like I'd really gotten into local Italy as am pretty sure I was the only tourist there - definitely worth the visit... then went to Lucca - was pretty good - less tousity than Florence and Rome. I hired a bike and cycled along the city wall which was nice and then left for Cinque Terre early the next day. It was absolutely beautiful, not the best weather - a bit overcast for the 12km walk between the 5 hill-side villages but was still gorgeous! Was bizarre saying bonjourno, prono and scusi instead of the regular 'hey' etc... Then onto Pisa - was glad I hadn't spent the night in Pisa as it was a bit... well a bit of a hole really i thought... - But the Leaning Tower was fab. - was brilliant views from the top. And as you were going round and round to get to the top you could feel which side (ie the leaning side or not) you were going - was pretty good! Caught the plane back safe and sound and now in Egypt!!! - Gorgeous - meant to be in 30s but definitely doesn't feel that way sitting on the little beach under our timber umbrellas!!! The hotel is OK... good breakfast and the chef that does your eggs/pancakes is just like Andre the Giant from the Princess Bride - similar accent and everything (not sure how that is since he is egyptian) Been very nice and relaxing... we had a full body massage, scrub and wrap on our first day - was wonderful (my first ever massage!) We've definitely had a few interesting times with the egyptians - definitely friendly people... - we are about to go to a little local nightclub to have a drink with a boy that can't take no for an answer from Karen!!!!! Yes we have had a few fun adventures so far - had a really nice 'taxi driver' who has become our friend (which means you have to sit in the front with them) but he took us all round Hurghanda for free! - took us to a really cheap (and hopefully good!) travel agency which we booked an overnight trip to Luxor through (for Saturday)... and am off on my first diving trip tomorrow (Karen is just going to laze about on the beach)... Planning on doing an overnight to Cairo later on next week... and then a few more dives and a couple of snorkelling trips... - should be good! Amazing weather - always blue cloudless skies, nice calm crystal clear water - can't wait to go diving!!! This will probably be my last message til back in the UK...!
Later!