The Great Pyramids of Giza. The Sphinx. Karnak Temple. Mention Egypt and these are the boldface names that immediately come to mind. And while these iconic sites are must-see stops on any Egyptian voyage, there are other extraordinary, lesser-known treasures not to be missed.
After more than two decades, the Grand Egyptian Museum prepares for its long-awaited opening. Here are five compelling facts about this megalithic museum.
Our adventure took us to the incredible town of Playa Blanca. We just arrived onshore, and the macaws, parrots, and sloths were waiting to be seen. What a spectacular way to begin our day. Today we focused more on cultural experiences, visiting some local families and partaking in several activities such as the processing of sugarcane to produce brown sugar, plantations of hearts of palm, chocolate, and panning for gold. Also, we enjoyed forest walks where we saw several species of flora and fauna from this diverse region. In addition to all the sightings and exciting encounters, we also got the chance to dance with some of the locals who shared their passion to keep the traditional dances from their home alive. What a day in Costa Rica.
Our early start on Floreana Island was a perfect way to begin the day. As soon as we stepped on the island, magic happened. Some flamingoes started arriving at the local lagoon of Punta Cormorant, doing several runs before landing in the area. It was a truly special experience that permitted us to take amazing photos of this unique moment, seeing them in flight. The “mystic island” kept impressing us with its beaty throughout the day.
Christmas is coming to the ship! Almost overnight blow-up snowmen and decorations filled the hallways and bars. Sometimes, when one spends so much time in snowy places, as I do for ten months a year, it is a surprise to see snow featured as a special thing. And yet, of course it is very special. Without it, there would be no glaciers or ice caps. We would be able to sail the ship almost up to the south pole as the continent itself is only held together with the snow/ice combination. Take away all the white stuff and Antarctica would be a scattered mass of small islets and huge mountain chains. Once warm, we would find evidence of its former tropical nature. Fossils of giant penguins more than 2-meters tall would pop out of layers of sedimentary rocks while the dinosaurs that once roamed our now icy world would be apparent to those that know where to look, a secret I’m not sharing! Imagine a world without ice and tell me how you do it because I cannot.
Early in the morning we visited the Post Office Barrel to deliver some cards and to pick up a few. We enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding around the shorelines of Baroness Beach. Our lunch was delicioso and then right before midday, we had a glass bottom boat outing around Champion Islet, an eroded parasite cone whose depth reaches more than 150 feet just a few meters away from the coast. We finished the day visiting Punta Cormorant, named not because there are cormorants there but in honor of a vessel that sank in the area.
Today, we began our activities with a deep-water snorkeling session in Gardner Bay. Our guests were thrilled to interact with playful sea lions and an array of colorful fish, creating unforgettable underwater experiences. Following the snorkeling adventure, we visited the pristine sands of Gardner Beach. Here, we encountered the Española mockingbird walking confidently close to our guests, seemingly unbothered by their presence. Many were captivated by the serene beauty and gentle demeanor of the sea lions resting on shore. After lunch we arrived at Punta Suárez. Disembarking, we ventured inland, exploring an island bursting with life. Among the black volcanic rocks, we admired the vividly colored marine iguanas, whose green and reddish tones contrasted dramatically against the black rocks. Nearby, we observed Española lava lizards, the largest in the archipelago. The highlight of the visit was encountering the Galápagos albatross, the largest seabird in the archipelago. We saw many albatrosses soaring, nesting, and resting. As the sun set, we returned to the ship after an extraordinary day filled with nature’s wonders.
