A Sacred Journey to Egypt 1-11-11!

I’m heading to Egypt tomorrow Insha’Allah “if it is God’s will.”

Almost EVERYTHING is already paid for on this Sacred Journey with Sequoia Hamilton, except for a few meals, which will make it really easy to focus on the sights, sounds, smells, to deeply experience the country, and to go on an inner journey as well. The following itinerary is adapted from an email sent by Sequoia; all photos on this page courtesy of Sequoia Hamilton Travels.

I get on the plane tomorrow morning at 8am. Thank goodness for my Comfy Commuter pillow and blanket which will cradle my head and keep me snuggly warm during my flights–then pack up into a little ball as I race from airline to airline!

On Tuesday, 1-11-11, my birthday, I arrive in Cairo, the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab World with 15 million residents, where I will be met and greeted by Guardian Travel who will transport me to the tour operator’s family estate where we will spend out first night. By afternoon, everyone will be there and we’ll have a celebration on the rooftop and enjoy the sunset on the Giza Plateau. Not sure what else is in store for my birthday!

On Wednesday January 12, after breakfast,  it’s off to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities where we’ll see King Tutankhamon’s golden mask and sarcophagus. The museum houses the largest, most precious collection of Egyptian art in the world with more than 100,000 Egyptian relics on display. After lunch, we’ll visit Cairo then travel by sleeper train to Aswan.

On Thursday January 13, we’ll check into our hotel in Aswan then visit the “unfinished obelisk” and Phalie temple where co-leader Nan Akasha will lead us in a “heart opening” ceremony at Temple of Philae dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS.

On Friday January 14, at 4am we drive to Abu Simbel,  considered the grandest of the temples commissioned during the reign of Rameses II and one of the most beautiful in Egypt. Its removal and reconstruction in the 1960’s was supported by first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy who urged Congress to allocate $10 million for the rescue effort (a sum roughly equivalent to $100 million today.) It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afterward, we check into the Nile cruise ship and have lunch. The afternoon is free, and I’ll be heading to a perfume factory; I understand that Egyptian essential oils are some of the best in the world.  I’ll also attend a papyrus making demonstration.

On Saturday January 15, Felucca ride in the morning and then we sail on the cruise ship to Kom Ombo where we’ll visit the twin Temples of Sobek:  the crocodile god (god of fertility) and the falcon god (creator of the world.) While we’re sailing, I’ll teach one of three writing workshops.

January 16, we’ll ride in a horse-drawn carriage to visit Edfu – the 2000-year-old Temple of Horus, the Falcon God, (Egypt’s best preserved temple) built during the reign of Cleopatra VII and once a library of ancient esoteric knowledge, then sail on to Luxor and enjoy an afternoon on the Nile including a writing workshop which I’m teaching! In the evening (depending on our arrival), we’ll have a special ceremony at Luxor Temple and photograph the “orbs” (said to be energy clusters or souls floating in the air).

Monday January 17, we’ll visit the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshipsut’s temple and Memnon Colossi on the West side of the Nile (considered the side of death).  The Valley of the Kings is the resting place of more than 60 pharaohs, including the mysterious boy-king Tutankhamun. After lunch we visit Karnack temple – the largest temple complex in the world (on the side of life) then back aboard for another overnight train to Cairo.

Tuesday January 18, back in Cairo! I’ll go for  a blogger’s upgrade for a room with a pyramid view Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa!

• That afternoon we have various options including horseback riding. My friend Nadia has contacted her Egyptian cousins and I’ll spend some time with them seeing Cairo from the perspective of someone who lives there. I also hope to visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. The suq (which is the Arabic name for bazaar, or market) dates back to 1382.

DInner our last night is Sequoia’s treat–we’re celebrating her birthday! She’s taking us to “the hippest spot in Cairo: Sequoia Restaurant“–of course!  http://www.sequoiaonline.net/home.php

Sequoia is situated on the northern tip of Zamalek and has an almost 270 degree view of the Nile.

Wednesday January 19 will be my last day in Cairo and we’ll have a private tour of Giza, a World Heritage site and the last remaining “original” Wonder of the World. The Giza Plateau is the most powerful vortex point on the planet, as the lion constellation in the sky is perfectly aligned with the Sphinx creating a stargate that energizes and activates a person’s full potential and life purpose. Our excursion begins with a hike into the heart of the Great Pyramid to the sacred King’s Chamber. According to Sequoia, this will be the apex to our soulful journey and will include a special initiation and ceremony. Afterwards, we’ll gather for prayer and meditation between the paws of the Sphinx (depending on construction/renovation), followed by an optional short camel ride in the desert. The evening will climax with our “farewell” dinner party on Mohammed’s rooftop overlooking the pyramids while taking in the famous Sound and Light show.

Then I fly home! I have breakfast in Frankfurt, possibly with Nadia and with Andy Schmitz, then I fly over the world greeting the dawn over and over until I land in Vancouver then back to LAX!

Travel with me by subscribing to my blog! I fully intend to post photos and stories each day of the trip!