Cairo Citadel and Egyptian Museum

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/50 sec, ISO640
“Mosque of Muhammad Ali” Cairo, 2025

We had a full day in Cairo today. After breakfast and a trip orientation meeting, we boarded the bus and headed out to the Cairo Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The interior of the mosque was absolutely beautiful, and the courtyard was especially impressive. While soaking in the view over the city, we even spotted the Great Pyramids of Giza in the distance. Very cool and totally iconic.

Next, we visited the Egyptian Museum to see a wide range of antiquities. It was fascinating, though the museum itself felt a little run down. We will be visiting the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum later in the trip, so that should be a very different experience.

Afterward, we returned to the hotel for a short rest before heading out again for a night market visit and a traditional Egyptian dinner. The market was lively and crowded, a bit chaotic but full of energy. With our guide and a security guard keeping an eye on things, we felt safe and had a great time.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/6.4, 1/1900 sec, ISO640
“Mosque of Muhammad Ali” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/6.4, 1/9000 sec, ISO640
“Cairo Citadel” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 34.3mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec, ISO640
“Cairo Citadel” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 55mm, f/8, 1/2400 sec, ISO640
“Distant Pyramids” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/3.6, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
“Egyptian Museum” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO200
“Egyptian Museum” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/2, 1/105 sec, ISO1000
“Night Market” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/16, 1/2 sec, ISO640
“Night Market” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/2, 1/105 sec, ISO1250
“Cats” Cairo, 2025

DFW to LHR to CAI

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/950 sec, ISO80
“At Heathrow” London, 2025

Our travel day actually stretched across two full days because we were heading east. We left home in Austin around seven on Thursday morning and finally reached our destination at six thirty on Friday evening. What a journey!

After our eight and a half hour flight, we landed at Heathrow Airport outside London, switched terminals, and made our way to our third lounge of the trip, the British Airways Galleries Club. I cannot remember which one it was exactly, but it reminded me a lot of the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. I grabbed a light snack and a double espresso to fight off the jet lag, then we headed to our final flight on British Airways.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that our seats were in front of the curtain, and we enjoyed a coffee or tea service followed by a Full English breakfast. I was not very hungry, but I had to try it. It was actually pretty good.

Our four hour flight took us southeast over France, Italy, and the Mediterranean Sea, and eventually delivered us to our final destination, Cairo, Egypt! We arrived at the perfect moment, when no other flights were landing, so we breezed through customs and hopped into our micro bus to the hotel. The ride through Cairo was the scariest drive I have ever been on. I did not think we were going to die, but I was sure we would hit another car or possibly a pedestrian. I avoided looking straight ahead and kept my eyes on the scenery outside the side window instead.

After checking into the hotel and getting a quick orientation from our tour coordinator, we grabbed some sashimi at the Japanese restaurant. It was not bad at all. Then we headed up to our room on the twentieth floor and admired the amazing view.

It was a long couple of days of travel, but everything went smoothly, and I am grateful for that!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, ISO80
“Full English” 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/12000 sec, ISO80
“Somewhere over Europe” 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/20000 sec, ISO64
“Over the Mediterranean” 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/50 sec, ISO160
“Hello Egypt” Cairo, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/35 sec, ISO800
“Hotel View of the Nile” Cairo, 2025

Leaving Mexico

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/4600 sec, ISO80
“To-Go Coffee” Mexico City, 2025

Our last day in Mexico is here, and we enjoyed our time in Mexico City so much. We definitely want to come back someday, and since it is not very far from our home in Texas, I am sure we will be visiting again before too long. Until then, Mexico City, thanks for all the great memories.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/12000 sec, ISO80
“Last-Minute Photos” Mexico City, 2025

Japanese Curry and Mexican Burgers

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
“Super Sentai” Mexico City, 2025

Today we went to a Japanese curry restaurant, Hayateya Curry Japonés, for lunch. The place had a combination Samurai & Super Sentai Power Rangers theme, which was really fun and unexpected. The curry itself was not quite to my taste, but I did enjoy having a Coke. That felt like a novelty since I rarely drink soda.

Later that night, we stopped by a hamburger food stand for some huge burgers. The place was really popular, so we figured it had to be worth trying. The burger ended up being pretty good and very inexpensive too. A total win win.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Curry” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO200
“Hamburguesas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO100
“Hamburguesas” Mexico City, 2025

Coffee, Tapas, and Mezcal

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/430 sec, ISO80
“Café” Mexico City, 2025

Today was one of those perfect work-and-play days. After a productive afternoon, I met up with Mariko for coffee at a cozy café, then we strolled over to Cudillero Tapas y Vino. We visited Spain a few years back and fell in love with the tapas lifestyle, so finding a place like this in Mexico City was such a nice surprise. We feasted on seafood, sausage, and some amazing croquettes, all paired with a lovely bottle of wine. The service was top-notch, and they even wrapped up our leftover wine to take home – how classy is that?

On the way back, we wandered into Bla Bla Bla Salud! for a mezcal tasting. The host, Andres, was super friendly and taught us a fun way to enjoy mezcal – with lime and insects! It was actually delicious. He even shared his ska playlist with us, which totally matched the mood. What an awesome night out in Mexico City!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO200
“Tapas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/60 sec, ISO400
“Mariscos” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO200
“Tapas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
“Mezcal” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/640 sec, ISO80
“Gato” Mexico City, 2025