Tag: traveling

A Perfect Day in Luxor: Karnak Temple, the Viking Thoth, and Luxor Temple at Night

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/1800 sec, ISO40
 “PAS” Cairo, 2025

Today was a long day filled with unforgettable sights. After an early breakfast, we boarded a plane and flew south to the city of Luxor. Our first stop was Karnak Temple, another incredible highlight of the trip. The massive pillars and towering obelisks are absolutely overwhelming in scale, and the carvings are breathtaking. It is hard to even imagine the effort, planning, and motivation it took to build something so enormous and detailed.

After wandering the grounds and enjoying a strong Turkish coffee, we boarded the tour bus and headed to our home for the next several days, the Viking Thoth. The Thoth is a brand new ship in the Viking fleet, and we were the very first group of guests to sail with her. It felt so special knowing we were the first to stay in the cabins, dine at the tables, and dip our feet in the pool. For lunch, I went with the burger, yes I know, but I was craving it and it was actually really good. We always share our dishes anyway!

We rested for a few hours, enjoyed another wonderful meal, and then headed out for an evening excursion to Luxor Temple. The grounds were beautifully lit and offered a completely different experience at night. Seeing such an incredible site in the cooler evening air was truly magical. It is something I will never forget.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, ISO80
 “Karnak Temple” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/640 sec, ISO64
 “Karnak Temple” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 55mm, f/13, 1/280 sec, ISO640
 “Karnak Temple” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 39mm, f/22, 1/210 sec, ISO640
 “Karnak Temple” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/50 sec, ISO160
 “Burger Time” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/4600 sec, ISO80
 “Sun Over the Nile” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/35 sec, ISO800
 “Luxor Temple” Luxor, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/35 sec, ISO1000
 “Luxor Temple” Luxor, 2025

Day of Pyramids

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/3900 sec, ISO40
 “Pyramid of Djoser” Giza, 2025

Our first stop of the day was the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. It was incredible to see the very first pyramid ever built, and then we descended into a nearby tomb complex. The whole experience was amazing.

After that, we made a short visit to a carpet factory and ended up purchasing a beautiful rug for our house in Japan. They shipped it to Mariko’s mom in Osaka, which worked out perfectly.

Once we finished a wonderful buffet lunch, we headed to one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip: the Great Pyramid of Giza. Thanks to some lucky timing, traffic in Cairo was heavily restricted because of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and visiting dignitaries. That meant hardly any tourists were at the site. It felt unreal.

The pyramids themselves were absolutely mind blowing. It is still hard to believe we stood at such an iconic place that we had only ever seen in books and documentaries. They did not disappoint. Their sheer size is something you really do have to experience in person at least once.

Next, we visited the Great Sphinx, which was just as cool and iconic as we hoped. We spent a long time there simply looking at it and feeling grateful for the chance to visit. Truly an amazing day.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250
 “Pyramid of Djoser” Giza, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200
 “Pyramid of Djoser” Giza, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/7.1, 1/5000 sec, ISO640
 “Camel Ride” Giza, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/6400 sec, ISO80
 “Great Pyramid” Giza, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 19.6mm, f/22, 1/160 sec, ISO640
 “Sphinx” Giza, 2025

Cairo Citadel and Egyptian Museum

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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

Leaving Mexico

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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

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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