First of all, Lea asked that I tell her folks hello for her! "Hi!" Clyde, Neva, Bob and E! :-)
Our flight from Cairo was fast, fun and easy. I may have written earlier that Lea and I are flying business class cashing in some (most) of our American Express points. The flight home was even better than the flight over. We both got a lot of sleep. Lea's was Ambien induced, mine was sheer exhaustion.
Our last day in the desert was good but really made for a long travel day. But before I get into that, I think I should fill you in more on the day before. I mentioned the white desert and how impressive it was. After visiting it, we went back to the camp for lunch and then packed our bags and headed to the final oasis on our safari--the Baharya Oasis--via the black desert.
Before reaching the Black Desert, we had a scheduled stop at the Crystal Mountain. Didn't I already mention this? I'm not sure. Sorry if this is a repeat. It's not so much of a mountain as it is a hill and the crystals aren't quartz crystals that we often think of when we think crystals, so at first, based entirely on the name, the site can be a disappointment. However, upon closer inspection, people began to realize how amazing it is to find all these crystals growing out in the middle of the desert. They're everywhere you look.
When we were packing up from lunch at the encampment in the desert, you could see water vapor, like steam, rising in the air. It was sooo hot!. After a while we noticed the formation of clouds--the first we'd seen on our entire trip! By the time we reached Crystal Mountain there were very distinct clouds over head, so providing us with much welcomed shade. Here's a photo of one. I thought it looked like a peace dove.
After Crystal Mountain, we were back in our LandCruisers and heading to the Black Desert. We made one brief roadside stop for a photo op, and hardly anyone left their vehicles. Mena told me he thought our group was tired of the desert, and maybe they were.
On our Inspection Trip, we didn't make an excursion into the black desert, we only saw it from the road. With the group, we actually went off road and got to see the black desert up close and personal. It was nothing like I imagined it to be. It was more awesome than I thought it would be. Here's a view from up top the mountain. The wind up there was a amazing the temperature must have been 20 degrees cooler than the white desert was during at noon. It felt so refreshing! At this stop everyone came back to life again. Everyone left the vehicles and enjoyed the desert. One of the drivers made tea using a tea pot on a propane fueled burner. Everyone was laughing and having a good time! Maybe we weren't tired of the desert as much as tired of the 120 degree temperatures! This site was shaded and much cooler. Yay!
I need to cut short as they're going to boarding our flight soon. We fly next to Richmond, then Cincinnati and then drive home! We're so looking forward to being home again soon and seeing our pups! We've really missed them! I'll add more from Richmond, if there's time. If not, I'll come back once we're settled in a bit at home and share with you the last day of our trip.
This really was a trip of a lifetime and our group, the Egyptian people, the land, our guides and, of course, Manal and Basem, all made it so magical and memorable for us. This is a journey that we'll always remember.
I'll add more soon. Until then, much Love,
Stuart
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