Cairo & Giza, Egypt

Elaine braved another long plane flight with the kids so she could see the pyramids. Besides the long flight back, it was well worth it. We just got back tonight, so here's a glimpse of our first day until I rest up and post more. Standing on the largest pyramid.

A queen's tomb around the pyramids (just goes to show what a little bribe will get you - a photo in a "no photo" area).

View of the three largest pyramids from the plateau.

This camel ride didn't last long. Ciaran had to be taken down because he was scared, and as Saoirse and I attempted a stroll, she freaked out so it was more of a camel loop. But hey we did it, right?!

Saoirse is 18 months

Our little princess turns 18 months today. This first photo is her modeling her Notting Hill dress and pigtails (those didn't last past naptime).

We celebrated with some slice n' bake cookies and a candle. She touched the flame with her finger, didn't flinch and blew it out like a pro. Unlike Ciaran who screams at candles (and did so during this shot).

And her majesty managed to eat several, or at least take a bite out of each one, and shoveled them in using the candle as a spear.

 

One Year Down...

October 31, 2006

Well we've been here exactly one year, and we have one more to go! I didn't realize I dressed the kids in the same colors as the early photo, but there you go. They're both bigger and both into everything (and Ciaran has not stopped his screaming much to our and the neighbors and the buildings and Brussels dismay).

Stay tuned to the next year's travels: we're going to Orlando for Christmas, CT in Feb through April, Austria in May and our big trip next year is South Africa. Can't wait. After all is said and done with our expat status we've decided to move back to Boca Raton for a few years until the travel and move bug hits us again.

 

Seville, Spain

Oct 9-12, 2006
We had to use our plane tickets to Spain from our previously planned roadtrip, so we took a quick trip to Seville. Not my favorite place in Spain, but a nice getaway nonetheless. After a fight with another tourist about whether my presence and the kids' was warranted on our tour bus, Saoirse fell asleep.


The playground was cute for awhile until we discovered all the broken glass.

We toured the bull ring, thankfully we didn't see any animals or a bull fight. But the tour was interesting, Ciaran just wanted to eat his pretzels.

My opinion, skip this city kids.

 

Last photos

Local street sign.

Horse-drawn cart, this and smaller donkey cars are very common.

Saoirse loved her afternoon ice cream, so much so...

the waiter decided to serve her up!

 

Karnkak Temple cont.

 

The Temple of Karnak

This is the largest temple complex of its kind in Egypt and was started in 2134 BC.

Ciaran is helping mix some cement.

More rocks!

 

Luxor Temple cont.

Ciaran contemplates the rocks lining the floors, he was more excited about these than anything else.

View of the Avenue of Sphinxes that one time connected the Luxor and Karnak temples.

Another photo op, the girls appeared to be doing restoration work. Saoirse was project manager.

 

The Temple of Luxor

Seated statues of Ramses II guard the entrance to the temple.


These photo ops with locals don't come for free, but it was a cute shot and this guy had this spot cornered for tourists like us.

Snoopy takes a break, so hard traveling with these kids.

 

Valley of the Kings

Many tombs can be explored here in the desert where pharohs were buried. The first one dates to 1500 BC.


Waste of $ for this separate entrance ticket to King Tut's tomb, but at least we can say we went (they wouldn't let you take photos inside). 

The Colossus of Memnon

We took a half-day trip to the West Bank. Our first stop was the remains of the Colossus of Memnon.


Close-up of hieroglyphics.

Front view of the statues. In the distance over the hills, is the Valley of the Kings.