September 15, 2003 -- Who are you today: a big-hearted caretaker or the one in need of some TLC? If you not quite sure, just flip the coin and choose between two very different, yet equally adventurous travel deals. One will take you down the Nile as you feast your eyes on incomparable sights and satisfy your senses on tastes, smells and sounds of the ancient Egyptian culture. The other will require you to share some your culture's wealth with Thai villagers in the Golden Triangle.
Just like the waves on this ancient river, the interest in Nile River cruises seems to fluctuate between the high and the low. We seem to be entering the high tide, so all you deal-surfers get ready! Grand Circle Cruises has just announced two new November departures for their popular Ancient Egypt & Nile River Cruise Tour, lasting 15 days. Costs start from $1,495 and include airfare from New York, airport/hotel/pier transfers, baggage handling, six nights in hotel rooms with private bath, 31 meals (12 breakfasts, nine lunches and ten dinners), and services of a program director. And talking about being pampered! You actually spend seven nights aboard private M/S Anuket, and will enjoy a local hospitality during "At Home in Cairo" home-hosted dinner! Back home, as you brag about "real" Egyptian cuisine while dining at your local ethnic restaurant, you may actually pass for an expert, for the package does include a visit to a spice market and lectures on the country's cultural history.
The sights you'll visit will bring alive all that "required reading" you had to do for your history classes: the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Necropolis of Saqqara, Luxor temple, Necropolis of Thebes (Valleys of the Kings and Queens), the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, Temple of Hathor at Dendera, Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Aswan's Old & High dams, Temple of Isis. If you happen to run into some Europeans on your later felucca (sailboat) ride, or "Contrasts of Cairo" tour, you will be entirely justified to call them your folks from the New World! Any signs of protest can be disregarded with a knowingly uttered "yeah...right."
The departure dates are November 22 and 29, 2003, only. For more information and to reserve, phone 800/959-0405 and refer to this code: EAAA532. For more information on Grand Circle Travel and their offerings, visit www.gct.com.
Your need for selfless acts of kindness can be fulfilled at the other end of the world, in Thailand. An innovate group of Canadians, Smiling Albino, stumbled upon a great idea -- you can do good and be adventurous at the same time! The co-founders, Scott Coates and Daniel Fraser, put Calgary behind them, learned to speak Thai, and now invite you to join them in a community outreach program, where you will spend time mentoring Thai orphans, teaching English to underprivileged school children, and assisting gibbon apes in need of care. Their programs are designed mostly for 35-55 years-old professionals with the willingness to devote some time and money to help -- the trip will cost you $1,950 (US), land-only. Short trips involving adventurous modes of transportation -- mountain bikes, motor scooter, sea kayaks, tuk-tuks, elephants and riverboats -- are sure to feel you with appreciation of the land and the people.
After putting in good amount of work, you may decide to refuel your energy by spending the rest of this two-weeks trip on one of the tours offered by Smiling Albino: three days in Chiang Rai to 12 days on the "Siamese Dream" -- take your pick! My favorite for first-timers in Thailand would be the "Eight Days in Siam" tour, costing $1,300 (US) land only, which includes all domestic transport, lodging, most meals, admissions, guides and return transport to Bangkok. You spend three nights in Bangkok, where you can do sightseeing and get some training in navigating a mountain bike along the canals of the city -- it will come in handy while in the countryside. On the fourth day, you take a minivan to Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital, hop on the plane to Chiang Rai and you are in Thailand's Golden Triangle. Once there, it's all about mountain biking through the city and nearby villages -- you have been warned! But you will quickly forget sore legs and those few scratches while getting to know people from the mountain tribes. Come to think of it, they may share some biking tips with you!
For this tour, or others, contact Smiling Albino at www.smilingalbino.com or e-mail info@smilingalbino.com. Canada phone 403/988-5577, Thailand phone/fax 662/732-8195.