Predators

Cairo, Egypt

April 22, 2010

Tanzania

In Tanzania after dinner we would have to walk outside to get to our rooms and a security guard would walk with us to protect us from lions. In most parks we were strongly advised to not leave the car or lions, leopards, etc. would see us as easy prey. If our guide got out of the car he would have a big machete with him at all times.

We were very close to big predators. In Ngorogoro caldera lions would even come lean on the car and then lay down right next to it for shade - literally close enough to touch!!! (But we didn't.) We did take one walking bush trek and our guide brought along his handy AK47 (wasn't the most relaxing hike I ever took).

One time in the middle of the Serengeti, as we went to drive away after watching two cheetahs on a rock within ten feet of us, the battery failed. We need to push start the Land Cruiser but not with the cheetahs right outside our windows. So we sat...and waited until the cheetahs sauntered off. We we jumped out of the car to push. Paul and I went to the rear of the car - the direction the cheetahs walked - so believe me I was looking over my shoulder the whole time we were pushing!!! It all worked out - the cheetahs has just come back from a kill (had been licking blood off each others faces) and they were not interested in us - and the car started right away so we jumped back in quick as a wink.

Egypt

Here in Cairo, Egypt our room overlooks the flowing Nile (Semiramus Intercontinental Hotel, nice, but still our favorite hotel in terms of relaxation/incredible service/fantastic people has to be Rimping Village in Chiang Mai, Thailand probably closely followed by the people/places in Tanzania. ). Unlike Tanzania where we had to be protected against animals here we are protected against the most deadly predator of all - humans. To enter the hotel we first a bomb sniffing dog walked around our taxi, then we were let though the gate. Entering the hotel we went through metal detectors and had our bags searched. And, on our floor, one of the guests has body guards that sit outside in the hall day and night very near our room.

Today we are off to see the Pyramids, taking a late afternoon flight to Luxor and then tomorrow we board a four day cruise down the Nile. We will be getting on and off and being taken by a private guide to see the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temples of Luxor and Karnak and more.

Much happiness,

Jackie