Behind the scenes - T minus 1

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, in the days and weeks before the start of one of our trips?  Here are some photos of Em (Tour Leader/Driver), Mikkel (Driver/Mechanic) and a special guest appearance from Pete (Odyssey's founder) in Egypt preparing for the Cairo to Cape Town trip and getting excited about the adventure in front of them!  

Pete making sure Calypso is spotless

Mikkel cleaning and fixing every tent

Mikkel making sure all equipment is clean and in perfect order

Em making herself at home in the Mercedes office, and getting the office gossip

Temporary office in Dahab

With all the preparations completed, it was time for Em & Mikkel to head to Cairo to meet their new family!

Egypt - the journey begins

A country that has gone through a lot of change in the last few years.  But one thing that has been consistent during our time here is the kindness and hospitality of the people.

The 30^th July, official start date for this epic adventure, and we have met our group of hardy travellers.  We went for dinner in a local restaurant to get to know each other.  And it turns out that three of our gang have travelled together before.  An enjoyable evening was had, and more surprisingly for a large group all of our meals came out at the same time.

Our first group meal

Now to introduce the Odyssey Africa family

Calypso

Alison

Andrew F

Andrew P - on his third Odyssey!

Ann - also on her third Odyssey!

Bruce - on his second Odyssey

Ciara & Killian

Claire

David & Sissy

Em (crew)

Geoff

Jan

Jacq - on her second Odyssey

Leanne

Malcolm

Mikkel (crew) - even on a boat he wants to drive

Nicole

Roberta (on her third Odyssey) and Lee (on his second Odyssey)

Steve (on his second Odyssey)

Tony

Wilma

The Odyssey reunion

After visiting the Pyramids and museums of Cairo it was time to head off, out of the city and along the Red Sea coast.  Then to our first camping night of the trip.  It was a lovely campsite – it even had a pool.  Our first cook group rustled up a fantastic meal – they have certainly set the standard for the trip!  We then we went snorkelling in the Red Sea before heading off to Luxor.  We have visited many sights and learnt a lot about the history of this region.  Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings were definite highlights.  Although the mummy of Tutankhamun was a lot smaller than we expected….

Camel riding at the pyramids in Cairo

6:30am swim at the campsite at the Red Sea

Camping by the Red Sea

Red sea snorkelling

Great first dinner by the cook group

Heading for a snorkel in the Red Sea

On the truck

Lunch on the road

Mikkel making new friends...

Enjoying a traditional shisha in Luxor

Odyssey at Karnak Temple

Traditional Nubian tattoo on Jan

Then we were off again, to Aswan, stopping off at Edfu Temple along the way.  A couple of days were spent relaxing on two feluccas whilst cruising along the Nile.  The parking of the feluccas left a bit to be desired.  We certainly stopped with a bump at every stop.  And whilst docking one day, an anchor rope snapped and the boat drifted off with two out of 3 crew left on the shore.  But luckily one sailor and our group saved the day and brought the boat back to shore! 

We also had our first birthday of the trip – Happy Birthday Andrew!

Em working hard on the felucca

Birthday cake on a felucca

Sailing on the Nile

Relaxing sailing on the Nile

The team ensuring all of our beers are gone before we enter Sudan (a dry country!)

And now we prepare to say goodbye to Egypt – and Hello The Sudan!