tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67541174601833923342024-03-14T18:23:26.782+11:00The Travelling LindfieldsA luxury blog for the independent traveller.The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.comBlogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-79373926037080170722020-02-22T08:19:00.001+11:002020-10-21T11:27:30.789+11:00The Dookie Rail Trail: Cycling in North East Victoria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2QoV7ClKus/Xk4S5YqpnmI/AAAAAAABV6c/kIm7l_LXyekRVuTkrcsl9mEwecpxU3H4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Dookie%2BRail%2BTrail.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dookie Rail Trail sign" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2QoV7ClKus/Xk4S5YqpnmI/AAAAAAABV6c/kIm7l_LXyekRVuTkrcsl9mEwecpxU3H4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Dookie%2BRail%2BTrail.jpg" title="Map of Dookie Rail Trail" width="150"></a></div>
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The Dookie Rail Trail is a hidden gem half an hour's drive east of Shepparton in north east Victoria. At not quite 5 kms (10 kms return) it is much shorter than the usual <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/p/rail-trails-and-cycle-paths.html" target="_blank">trails we ride</a>. However what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in scenery and charm. Struck by bad weather on a recent <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2020/02/the-great-southern-rail-trail.html" target="_blank">cycling trip</a> to Victoria we found ourselves at the beginning of the Dookie Rail Trail with a promised few hours of clear skies. We parked the car, unloaded the bikes and headed out to discover rural Victoria at its best.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2020/02/the-dookie-rail-trail-cycling-in-north.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com10Dookie VIC 3646, Australia-36.3117549 145.7104485-36.414088899999996 145.54908700000001 -36.2094209 145.87181tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-36985847740966002262020-02-01T17:58:00.025+11:002023-03-11T20:52:14.545+11:00The Great Southern Rail Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r208WWdTmY0/XjOM-NdHNTI/AAAAAAABV3A/xI4jGoFqhtMXTHLbBe0Tw5AKSgXlhbc8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GSRT.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GSRT" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r208WWdTmY0/XjOM-NdHNTI/AAAAAAABV3A/xI4jGoFqhtMXTHLbBe0Tw5AKSgXlhbc8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/GSRT.jpg" title="Great Southern Rail Trail Sign" width="138"></a></div>
Running from the New South Wales border to Phillip Island in Victoria, <a href="https://www.visitgippsland.com.au/" target="_blank">Gippsland</a> is one of those rare regions in Australia where the grass is green, the rivers full and the countryside bucolic. All this verdant beauty comes at a price though, and that price is rain - lots and lots of rain. David and I are fair weather cyclists. We first came to South Gippsland to cycle the<a href="https://www.gsrt.com.au/" target="_blank"> Great Southern Rail Trail</a> (GSRT) in November 2019. We got one perfect day, one okay day and two days of wet, windy weather. Instead of the whole trail, we managed little more than a third, but it was a magical third. We came back in 2021 (and again in 2023) to fill in the blanks. We both agree The Great Southern Rail Trail is the best rail trail in Australia. The scenery is lovely, the towns are idyllic and the wildlife, especially the koalas and echidnas we have seen right next to the trail, is magical. <br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2020/02/the-great-southern-rail-trail.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com16Great Southern Rail Trail, Victoria, Australia-38.6656818 146.30983530000003-39.0628158 145.66438880000004 -38.2685478 146.95528180000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-80304316779958532862020-01-19T15:16:00.001+11:002020-10-18T12:49:24.043+11:00A Tour of Ned Kelly Country: Following the trail of Australia's most famous bushranger.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZSOj-BEnF8/XiOgfuMgcSI/AAAAAAABVzI/K-yOKlNNXQ0HslLY8SXTkBLGv1EthTBTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ned%2BKelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ned Kelly" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZSOj-BEnF8/XiOgfuMgcSI/AAAAAAABVzI/K-yOKlNNXQ0HslLY8SXTkBLGv1EthTBTACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Ned%2BKelly.jpg" title="Ned Kelly statue at Glenrowen" width="150"></a></div>
Edward ('Ned') Kelly was born at Beveridge in Victoria in December 1854¹. He died at the end of a hangman's noose in Melbourne Gaol on 11 November 1880. In his short life he gained an enduring place in Australia's history as our most famous bushranger (outlaw). David and I got struck by poor weather on a recent cycling trip to Victoria and had to find something else to occupy ourselves for a few days. As it happened I was in the middle of a <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/ned-kelly-9780857988140" target="_blank">biography of Ned Kelly</a> and since we were not far from Kelly Country we decided to do a tour of the places whose fame still rests of the legend of Ned.<br>
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Like many Australians the main thing I knew about Ned Kelly was what he is most famous for - making a stand against police at Glenrowen. Vastly outnumbered, he donned a suit of armour made from ploughshares before shooting it out with Victoria Police. It made him look like a medieval knight and earned him a place in Australian folklore.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2020/01/a-tour-of-ned-kelly-country-following.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com5Glenrowan VIC 3675, Australia-36.4468841 146.23216509999997-36.5490521 146.07080359999998 -36.3447161 146.39352659999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-59119805466862023402019-11-23T18:42:00.002+11:002020-02-22T16:09:03.083+11:00The Silo Art Trail of North-East Victoria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM-2Pwmmpis/XdjX9ZmFQvI/AAAAAAABU5Y/IyWLKpVU-OIqhZ0WvGP9qevhsRpnPAciQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Silo%2BArt%2BVictoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="silo art Australia" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM-2Pwmmpis/XdjX9ZmFQvI/AAAAAAABU5Y/IyWLKpVU-OIqhZ0WvGP9qevhsRpnPAciQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Silo%2BArt%2BVictoria.jpg" title="Barking Owl" width="150"></a></div>
Silo art has taken off in Australia. In March 2015 the small town of Northam in Western Australia engaged two artists to paint murals on the 'canvas' of the town's grain silos. Brim, a country town in Victoria, followed up with its own painted silo, then Ravensthorpe in Western Australia and then Patchewollock and Sheep-Hills (don't you just love the names) also in Victoria. Not to be outdone, towns without silos embraced the idea and painted water tanks and towers. Before long there were painted silos, towers and tanks popping up all over the country and a movement was born - a peculiarly Australian movement.<br>
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Today there is silo art in almost every corner of the country. With more than 100 painted silos, water tanks and towers across more than 7,500 kms, following silo art trails has become the ultimate Australian road trip.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/11/silo-art-trail-north-east-victoria.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com16Goorambat VIC 3725, Australia-36.4391452 145.93933849999996-36.5413717 145.77797699999996 -36.3369187 146.10069999999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-7224390019585632522019-10-25T15:07:00.000+11:002019-10-25T15:07:39.003+11:00Sculpture by the Sea 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-errQayA5Alk/XbJOkDyYXjI/AAAAAAABUwA/d-bNqfwKRqYTGd-_SZAh8oXks9xJwMeEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Tower%2Bfor%2BJan%2BPalach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sculpture by the Sea 2019" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-errQayA5Alk/XbJOkDyYXjI/AAAAAAABUwA/d-bNqfwKRqYTGd-_SZAh8oXks9xJwMeEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Tower%2Bfor%2BJan%2BPalach.jpg" title="Tower for Jan Palach" width="150"></a></div>
Sculpture by the Sea is on again in Sydney. Set against the striking backdrop of the coastal walk between Tamarama Beach and Bondi, the annual sculpture exhibition converts the most die-hard critics of modern art into fans. I admit I am not a fan of modern sculpture but Sculpture by the Sea sets out to make world class art accessible and enjoyable to the masses (for masses - read 'me') and it succeeds. It is hard not to be impressed.<br>
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Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi is the world's largest free sculpture exhibition, with 500,000 visitors expected during the 18 days in which it is open. In 2019 there are 111 sculptures exhibited by 140 artists who come from 18 countries.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/10/sculpture-by-sea-2019.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com20Sydney NSW, Australia-33.8688197 151.20929550000005-34.712802200000006 149.91840200000004 -33.0248372 152.50018900000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-43448324629399459112019-10-19T09:21:00.002+11:002020-10-30T19:25:10.615+11:00The Best Rail Trails and Bike Paths in Australia - UPDATED Feb 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezy6vyF9Vd0/XajNvxqvQmI/AAAAAAABUuU/hZy2ZwbgWW4OAI6VfKbFFrJnQKaDlxcgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sandy%2BCreek%2BBridge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sandy Creek Rail Bridge" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezy6vyF9Vd0/XajNvxqvQmI/AAAAAAABUuU/hZy2ZwbgWW4OAI6VfKbFFrJnQKaDlxcgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Sandy%2BCreek%2BBridge.jpg" title="Sandy Creek Bridge on the High Country Rail Trail" width="150"></a></div>
UPDATED IN FEB 2020<br>
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Have you ever imagined yourself on a cycling holiday, but not sure you can keep up the pace day after day, and absolutely certain you don't want to dodge trucks and other traffic while rediscovering your childhood bicycle skills. Have I got the solution for you!<br>
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Lots of old and disused railways which once ran through the countryside are steadily being re-purposed as 'rail trails'. With tracks removed, bridges repaired, or diverted around, and tunnels made safe they make perfect corridors for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Since trains never handled anything other than gentle gradients they are generally flat and easy to cycle. Their routes are dotted with small towns whose populations are welcoming and, as rail trailers arrive so do small businesses like trail side cafes, boutique accommodation, and bicycle support services giving country Australia a tourism boost.<br>
</div><a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/10/the-best-rail-trails-and-bike-paths-in.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com13Australia-25.274398 133.77513599999997-75.0662695 51.157953999999975 24.517473499999998 -143.607682tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-11721098518798530642019-10-05T08:07:00.002+10:002019-10-18T08:11:31.669+11:00Cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - How adventurous are you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcpdNfFMaG8/XZUUiZp8rjI/AAAAAAABT3E/YnMpFPapWvgV0ww4ymE64oZfKKkWFemAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Yimbun%2BTunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yimbun Tunnel Brisbane Valley Rail Trail" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcpdNfFMaG8/XZUUiZp8rjI/AAAAAAABT3E/YnMpFPapWvgV0ww4ymE64oZfKKkWFemAACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Yimbun%2BTunnel.jpg" title="Cyclist in the Yimbun Tunnel BVRT" width="150"></a></div>
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The<a href="http://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/" target="_blank"> Brisbane Valley Rail Trail</a> (BVRT) follows an old rail corridor from Yarraman to Ipswich in south-east Queensland. At 161 km, it is Australia's longest rail trail beating the<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2017/02/the-great-victorian-rail-trail.html" target="_blank"> Great Victorian Rail Trail</a> and the <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2016/02/murray-to-mountains-rail-trail.html" target="_blank">Murray to Mountains Rail Trail</a> by almost 30 and 50 kms respectively. Queenslanders like to do things differently however so if you head up to the BVRT for a bit of spring cycling with the idea that the trail will be just like its easy-riding Victorian counterparts only longer, you are in for a shock.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/10/cycling-brisbane-valley-rail-trail-how.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-68675292286980841122019-09-19T13:30:00.001+10:002021-03-06T18:12:36.564+11:00Swooping Magpies: Surviving the Mad Magpie of Toogoolawah! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Talk to an American or a Brit or almost anyone else about Australia and the conversation inevitably comes around to animals. Not the cute ones, like koalas and wombats and baby kangaroos, but the ones out to get you - the deadly ones. There is no denying this country has its fair share of dangerous creatures. Google 'the most venomous snakes in the world' and there are bound to be a few Australian natives on the list. Then there is the world's most deadly bird, the beautiful but very cranky cassowary; one of the world's most dangerous spiders, the Sydney funnel web; the lovely to look at but deadly to touch blue ringed octopus and the infamous Irukandji jellyfish. The funny thing though is that nobody ever mentions the animal Australia is most afraid of, the creature which sends grown adults into paroxysms of dread with a single flap of its wings, the springtime terror of southern skies - the Australian swooping magpie.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/09/swooping-magpies-surviving-mad-magpie.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com13Toogoolawah QLD 4313, Australia-27.083333 152.383333-27.196419 152.2219715 -26.970247 152.5446945tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-32982233709131817362019-09-07T11:00:00.006+10:002022-06-07T08:52:48.466+10:00National Trust, English Heritage or Historic Houses - which should you join?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLzdTlCngJU/XXLLtjWBAjI/AAAAAAABTZA/u9xp21yYMI0N_m8E7-UeUXm5qnMlvW6GACLcBGAs/s1600/Sherborne%2BCastle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherborne Castle" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLzdTlCngJU/XXLLtjWBAjI/AAAAAAABTZA/u9xp21yYMI0N_m8E7-UeUXm5qnMlvW6GACLcBGAs/s200/Sherborne%2BCastle.jpg" title="Sherborne Castle Historic Houses Association" width="200"></a></div>
<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/" target="_blank">National Trust</a>, <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/" target="_blank">English Heritage</a> or <a href="https://www.historichouses.org/" target="_blank">Historic Houses</a> - which membership is best? Then there is the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/overseas-visitors" target="_blank">National Trust Overseas Visitors Touring Pass</a>, membership of a <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/international-places/" target="_blank">National Trust Overseas Organisation</a> or the <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/overseas-visitors/" target="_blank">English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass</a>. Confused yet? Each membership gives you access to different attractions, has different pricing structures and different rules, some of which are clear and some of which are hidden in the fine print and downright sneaky.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/09/national-trust-english-heritage-or.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com23England, UK52.3555177 -1.174319700000069142.4995277 -21.828615200000069 62.2115077 19.479975799999931tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-85609797056461296782019-08-08T17:52:00.008+10:002022-06-07T09:05:20.773+10:00Is the London Eye worth it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGJLiXZJGLo/XUdc8RyO1tI/AAAAAAABSlg/SmPjLB0_d6oE7RZeK0V9YQQbHGPz-js6QCLcBGAs/s1600/London%2BEye.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The London Eye" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="960" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGJLiXZJGLo/XUdc8RyO1tI/AAAAAAABSlg/SmPjLB0_d6oE7RZeK0V9YQQbHGPz-js6QCLcBGAs/s200/London%2BEye.jpg" title="The London Eye ferris wheel" width="200"></a></div>
Is the London Eye fun? Absolutely! At £24.50 for an advance purchase ticket in 2020, is the London Eye worth the outrageous price? <b>No!!! </b>But - my advice is do it anyway. Read on for how much fun it is - as well as a few tips on getting it just a little bit cheaper. <b> And </b>- whether you should pay even more by adding a skip the line ticket to your purchase. For a 30 minute ride the London Eye works out at a bit less than a pound a minute. Think of it that way and it doesn't sound so bad.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/08/is-london-eye-worth-it.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com12South Bank, London SE1 7PB, UK51.503324 -0.1195430000000214925.9812895 -41.428134000000021 77.0253585 41.189047999999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-36809553762282532552019-07-30T08:20:00.001+10:002022-06-02T08:15:36.976+10:00Avebury Henge: A stone circle to rival Stonehenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bQNIXv-JHU/XT1QRfMiehI/AAAAAAABSjE/oWATsY9df9MwoFjB2mhu7x1UkSMuz1g_wCLcBGAs/s1600/Avebury%2BStone%2BCircle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Avebury Henge" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bQNIXv-JHU/XT1QRfMiehI/AAAAAAABSjE/oWATsY9df9MwoFjB2mhu7x1UkSMuz1g_wCLcBGAs/s200/Avebury%2BStone%2BCircle.jpg" title="Avebury Stone Circle" width="200"></a></div>
Ancient Britons were an industrious lot. 4,000 years ago, around the same time they were piling up huge stones on the Salisbury Plain to create <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/" target="_blank">Stonehenge</a> they were doing more or less the same thing 12 miles (20 kms) to the north to create the stone circles of Avebury Henge. Although a lot less popular than its more famous cousin, Avebury Henge is in many ways more interesting. For one thing you can walk right up to the stones and touch them. For another, once you have paid to park, the site is free - although there is a way to see <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/07/how-to-see-stonehenge-for-free.html" target="_blank">Stonehenge for free</a> which is almost as good as the paid entrance.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/07/avebury-henge-stone-circle.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com12Avebury, Marlborough SN8 1RF, UK51.4289196 -1.85489080000002125.9068851 -43.163481800000021 76.9509541 39.453700199999979tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-50609385403267923912019-07-20T09:10:00.009+10:002020-12-31T14:08:36.627+11:00The Best Free Things to do in London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBpYl2jIoUE/XTI7ebyq7iI/AAAAAAABSiM/L9Uh6bpJXwsuBiMbhCLVcTDqSMv0GX46gCLcBGAs/s1600/Little%2BVenice.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Little Venice London" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBpYl2jIoUE/XTI7ebyq7iI/AAAAAAABSiM/L9Uh6bpJXwsuBiMbhCLVcTDqSMv0GX46gCLcBGAs/s200/Little%2BVenice.jpg" title="Grand Union Canal London" width="200"></a></div>
For the sheer cost of entry to its major attractions London must outrank almost every other capital city on the planet. Spend a couple of days visiting attractions like the Tower of London, <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/07/the-view-from-the-shard.html" target="_blank">the View from the Shard,</a> the <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/08/is-london-eye-worth-it.html" target="_blank">London Eye</a> and the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and you can easily spend £100 (USD125/AUD180). But don't despair! Like most cities, London has its share of free things to do. You just have to know what they are. To help you along a bit I have put together a list of the <b>best free things to do in London</b>. You will find my favourite attraction at the top of the list.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/07/the-best-free-things-to-do-in-london.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com16London, UK51.5073509 -0.1277582999999822351.1912379 -0.77320479999998226 51.8234639 0.51768820000001781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-63806852617471238572019-07-11T15:34:00.008+10:002022-06-03T12:23:22.719+10:00How to see Stonehenge for free!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chQ9WxYH7ks/XSUNrKVsPPI/AAAAAAABSe0/ufh-BJ-80x0z0uIXiNAp7kOmG5fR-sn0QCLcBGAs/s1600/Stonehenge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stonehenge" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chQ9WxYH7ks/XSUNrKVsPPI/AAAAAAABSe0/ufh-BJ-80x0z0uIXiNAp7kOmG5fR-sn0QCLcBGAs/s200/Stonehenge.jpg" title="Stonehenge" width="200"></a></div>
Four and a half thousand years ago (give or take a century or two) pre-historic Britons dragged a whole lot of very big stones to a pleasant spot on the Salisbury Plain and built a circle. It is hard to know why they did it, although archaeologists generally believe it had something to do with burials. The stones weighed up to 40 tons so this was a bit more than a casual morning's mucking about. Today the circle is called <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/" target="_blank">Stonehenge</a>. It attracts more than one million visitors a year and it charges a hefty £19 for every single one of them EXCEPT for those who know how to visit for <b>free</b>.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/07/how-to-see-stonehenge-for-free.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com18Salisbury SP4 7DE, UK51.178881999999987 -1.826215000000047425.656847499999987 -43.134806000000047 76.700916499999991 39.482375999999952tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-36024489890568934272019-07-03T07:50:00.001+10:002020-07-04T12:46:29.132+10:00The Shard: What it is like at the top of London's tallest building.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnRvL29kpM8/XRu__2cdNqI/AAAAAAABSYg/1BzZUBSTqeExKsbxIlVABFbZRHYcxmfPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/View%2Bfrom%2BThe%2BShard.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnRvL29kpM8/XRu__2cdNqI/AAAAAAABSYg/1BzZUBSTqeExKsbxIlVABFbZRHYcxmfPQCEwYBhgL/s200/View%2Bfrom%2BThe%2BShard.jpg" width="149"></a></div>
At 309.6 m (1016 ft) high <a href="https://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Shard</b></a> is tall - the tallest building in the European Union. Standing at the bottom looking up you get an idea of just how tall, but it is only once you are perched 72 floors and 244 m (801 ft) above street level and look at <b>up</b> (yes - you read that right 'up' not 'down') that you get the full acrophobia-inducing feeling of just how tall the Shard really is. The observation deck is partially open to the air - enough to be able to look through the steel and glass superstructure and see nothing but sky. I defy anyone to stand there, look up and not succumb to a touch of vertigo.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/07/the-view-from-the-shard.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com18London, UK51.5073509 -0.1277582999999822351.1912379 -0.77320479999998226 51.8234639 0.51768820000001781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-34146340641748799072019-06-02T10:58:00.000+10:002019-08-11T11:09:08.909+10:00Turbopass London City Pass - Your passport to London attractions.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmv8P7bhRQo/XOrkulAlMtI/AAAAAAABReI/tpw1A3gGjK89ZEbLexOQFhqcn79Kkm-3wCLcBGAs/s1600/londoncitypass.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="London City Pass" border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="400" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmv8P7bhRQo/XOrkulAlMtI/AAAAAAABReI/tpw1A3gGjK89ZEbLexOQFhqcn79Kkm-3wCLcBGAs/s200/londoncitypass.png" title="London City Pass" width="200"></a></div>
London attractions are expensive, very expensive. David and I have travelled together for 35 years visiting many of the world's leading cities. I struggle to remember a single one which surpasses London for the cost of its attractions - except perhaps my home city of Sydney. You have to see the irony in that. But what do you do! We have come half way around the world (22 hours in the air) to get here, we can hardly stand in front of the Tower of London or the London Eye or the Shard, look at each other and say - no its a bit pricey, we won't go in. Luckily we found a solution. After a bit of internet research we chanced across the <a href="https://www.turbopass.com/london-city-pass" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">London City Pass</a> issued by <a href="https://www.turbopass.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Turbopass</a>.⃰<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/06/turbopass-london-city-pass.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com16London, UK51.5073509 -0.1277582999999822351.1912379 -0.77320529999998222 51.8234639 0.51768870000001777tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-3133956483479615612019-04-29T15:21:00.000+10:002019-07-13T19:38:52.234+10:00What to see in 3 days at Luxor: A 2019 itinerary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1WDqjuVZCw/XMTYLCZmT1I/AAAAAAABRFE/Ll7ftopCNrgUrd76YkQURswTfiSu_vbkgCLcBGAs/s1600/Luxor%2BTemple%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Luxor Temple" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1WDqjuVZCw/XMTYLCZmT1I/AAAAAAABRFE/Ll7ftopCNrgUrd76YkQURswTfiSu_vbkgCLcBGAs/s200/Luxor%2BTemple%2B%25281%2529.jpg" title="Luxor Temple " width="150"></a></div>
Ancient Egyptians loved to built things - <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-complete-guide-to-visiting-pyramids.html" target="_blank">pyramids</a>, temples, <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-guide-to-visiting-tomb-of-mehu-egypts.html" target="_blank">tombs</a>, monuments and statutes, and much of this architectural flair found its expression in the ancient city known today as Luxor. Ancient Egyptians knew it as Waset and to the Greeks it was Thebes but whatever you want to call it Luxor is place you do not want to miss. There are no <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-complete-guide-to-visiting-pyramids.html" target="_blank">pyramids</a>, for these you need to head to <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-complete-guide-to-visiting-pyramids.html" target="_blank">Giza</a>, just outside <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/places-to-visit-in-cairo.html" target="_blank">Cairo</a> but for temples, monuments, statutes and tombs Luxor is unsurpassed. As the city where <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/cruising-nile-dahabiya-nour-el-nil.html" target="_blank">Nile cruises</a> begin or end Luxor may already be on your itinerary but don't let the tour guides rush you. Luxor is a place to slow down, explore on your own and absorb some of the magic of one of the world's greatest ancient civilisations.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/04/what-to-see-in-3-days-at-luxor-2019.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com10Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt25.6872431 32.63963569999998525.5727751 32.478274199999987 25.8017111 32.800997199999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-34840344219693166612019-04-12T16:42:00.001+10:002022-06-06T08:08:27.034+10:00How to Visit the Valley of the Kings: What you need to know!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WClaIJZ0Sfo/XKe9GeTrGTI/AAAAAAABQ_0/NNvjQ9jUKYABXuVHPudXIJFT1AKuCGejwCLcBGAs/s1600/Valley%2Bof%2BKings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Entrance to Valley of the Kings" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WClaIJZ0Sfo/XKe9GeTrGTI/AAAAAAABQ_0/NNvjQ9jUKYABXuVHPudXIJFT1AKuCGejwCLcBGAs/s200/Valley%2Bof%2BKings.jpg" title="Ticket entrance at the Valley of the Kings" width="200"></a></div>
There are more than 60 royal tombs in Egypt's <b><a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/archaeology/valley-of-the-kings/" target="_blank">Valley of the Kings</a></b> - that we know of! Many more may lie undisturbed beneath the desert. Let's face it you are not going to be able to visit them all in a day. You probably only have a few hours - it will be hot, even in winter, and there is a fair bit of walking, mostly uphill. You need a plan! David and I went to the Valley of the Kings in 2006 and again in December 2018. We have put together this guide to give you an idea of how to get there, what to expect when you arrive, what it will cost and a few other things which are useful to know. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment here or send us an email. We love to help out fellow travellers.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/04/how-to-visit-valley-of-kings-what-you.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com22Luxor, New Valley Governorate, Egypt25.7401643 32.6014109999999850.21812979999999982 -8.7071800000000152 51.2621988 73.910001999999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-82098483389894075082019-03-29T08:29:00.004+11:002022-06-06T12:30:41.259+10:00Cruising the Nile on a Dahabiya with Nour el Nil: 5 days of luxury in Egypt<div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtKLWTWTKio/XJgnuYlCorI/AAAAAAABQxA/NWVQem45r7QHNyg6eJ3CpxnLITu1gwpWACLcBGAs/s1600/dahabiya%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dahabiya" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtKLWTWTKio/XJgnuYlCorI/AAAAAAABQxA/NWVQem45r7QHNyg6eJ3CpxnLITu1gwpWACLcBGAs/s200/dahabiya%2B%25281%2529.jpg" title="Meroe" width="200"></a></div>
It is winter in Egypt and we have taken advantage of the coolest time of year to indulge ourselves in a Nile cruise. Dozens of boats ply the route between Luxor and Aswan. Mostly they are diesel powered cruise ships - river boat behemoths like floating hotels. Then there are dahabiyas - if you want slow travel or to channel your inner Cleopatra (or Marc Antony perhaps) then a dahabiya is for you. More Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot than Cleo and her lover, David and I have splashed out on a Nile cruise on the Meroe, a dahabiya operated by <a href="https://www.nourelnil.com/" target="_blank">Nour el Nil</a>.<br>
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</div><a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/cruising-nile-dahabiya-nour-el-nil.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com24Nile23.9727595 32.8749205999999969.2035444999999978 12.220625099999996 38.7419745 53.5292161tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-63397282306367152012019-03-15T07:23:00.001+11:002019-04-30T14:15:08.887+10:00What do you mean you left your passport on the plane!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haQzTtMkmVw/XImyINps5-I/AAAAAAABQvU/trI8aFJ0F4cgALm7Sb_-N3qGqcfWkrLggCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haQzTtMkmVw/XImyINps5-I/AAAAAAABQvU/trI8aFJ0F4cgALm7Sb_-N3qGqcfWkrLggCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_2792.jpg" width="149"></a></div>
We are in Egypt. After two weeks exploring <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/places-to-visit-in-cairo.html" target="_blank">Cairo</a>, <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/02/things-to-do-in-alexandria-egypt.html" target="_blank">Alexandria</a> and <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-complete-guide-to-visiting-pyramids.html" target="_blank">the Pyramids of Giza</a>, Luxor is our final stop together - <i>click the links to read my posts on each destination.</i> David and I are to join a <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/dahabiya-nile-cruise.html">dahabiya</a> (sailing boat) for a <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/dahabiya-nile-cruise.html" target="_blank">Nile River cruise</a> to Aswan while Andrew, our son, heads home to Australia.<br>
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Andrew has already left the hotel. He has an early flight to Cairo where he will connect with another flight to Dubai and then, after an overnight stop, fly home to Sydney. David and I have just been collected from the hotel for the hour and a half's drive to Esna where we will join the <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/dahabiya-nile-cruise.html"><span id="goog_378577344"></span>dahabiya<span id="goog_378577345"></span></a>. The other cruise guests are coming from hotels on the opposite bank of the Nile River so we have the mini-bus to ourselves - just me, David, our driver and a guide.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/you-left-your-passport-on-the-plane.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com25Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt30.0444196 31.23571160000005929.9344751 31.074350100000057 30.154364100000002 31.39707310000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-11760329745447387382019-03-06T07:07:00.006+11:002022-06-07T07:54:33.952+10:00Cruising the Nile on a Dahabiya: slow travel in Egypt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSNVDRfQ8Ns/XHG8isNo9UI/AAAAAAABQqs/fZBsHQFKUV8qhFEIhb1-s2qjmGlKsgv4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Meroe%2Bon%2Bthe%2BNile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Meroe Nour el Nil" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSNVDRfQ8Ns/XHG8isNo9UI/AAAAAAABQqs/fZBsHQFKUV8qhFEIhb1-s2qjmGlKsgv4ACLcBGAs/s200/Meroe%2Bon%2Bthe%2BNile.jpg" title="Meroe Nour el Nil" width="200"></a></div>
Our dahabiya is under sail, propelled along the river by a soft breeze, in a rhythm unchanged for thousands of years. I have woken early and have the deck to myself on the first day of our Nile River cruise. The sun is still low in the sky glistening to the south as if pointing the way for our journey. We left Esna, an hour's drive from Luxor in Egypt, yesterday afternoon. Our five night dahabiya journey to Aswan will be not much longer than a Nile cruise on board one of the large diesel powered passenger ships also plying the route, but there are thousands of years between our experience and theirs.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/03/dahabiya-nile-cruise.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com11Nile23.9727595 32.8749205999999969.2035444999999978 12.220625099999996 38.7419745 53.5292161tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-4726401709375648142019-02-14T08:30:00.000+11:002019-07-15T17:37:43.495+10:00Howard Carter House and the Tomb of Tutankhamun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHVWKm-H86Y/XF8u0lnFUMI/AAAAAAABQmA/8cx4DOPmgt87LW8CJWalmH31mMEFKtGPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tutankhamun%2527s%2BTomb%2BHoward%2BCarter%2BHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tutankhamun's burial chamber replica" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHVWKm-H86Y/XF8u0lnFUMI/AAAAAAABQmA/8cx4DOPmgt87LW8CJWalmH31mMEFKtGPgCLcBGAs/s200/Tutankhamun%2527s%2BTomb%2BHoward%2BCarter%2BHouse.jpg" title="Tutankhamun's burial chamber replicated at Howard Carter House" width="200"></a></div>
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During the years he searched for the Tomb of <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/tutankhamen" target="_blank">King Tutankhamun</a>, Howard Carter lived in a modest adobe house a few kilometres from his work site. The house is still there, as if waiting for Carter to resume his work. When we first visited <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/04/what-to-see-in-3-days-at-luxor-2019.html" target="_blank">Luxor</a> in December 2006 we glimpsed the house from the road as we drove past on the way to <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/04/how-to-visit-valley-of-kings-what-you.html" target="_blank">The Valley of the Kings</a>. It wasn't open to the public then but in recent years it has been restored, and on our most recent visit in December 2018 we were able to see both the house and a replica of the burial chamber of King Tutankhamun's Tomb tucked away at the back down a garden path. If you have the time, <b>Howard Carter House</b> is well worth stopping at, if only to give you an idea of how the man who made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times lived.<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/02/howard-carter-house-and-the-tomb-of-tutankhamun.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com26Cairo Rd to Western Aswan, Al Aqaletah, Luxor, Luxor Governorate 85958, Egypt25.6886491 32.6217417999999950.16661459999999906 -8.6868492000000046 51.210683599999996 73.9303328tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-86454916543198808492019-02-02T10:24:00.001+11:002019-07-16T13:00:04.090+10:0011 things to do in Alexandria, Egypt - one is a bit weird!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3nHqZXl1tY/XFFOGX0ntvI/AAAAAAABQik/WehqZz1rVtcq-ZAXUvOBk0Wn4TzHZKMtACLcBGAs/s1600/Citadel%2Bof%2BQaitbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Citadel of Qaitbey" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3nHqZXl1tY/XFFOGX0ntvI/AAAAAAABQik/WehqZz1rVtcq-ZAXUvOBk0Wn4TzHZKMtACLcBGAs/s200/Citadel%2Bof%2BQaitbey.jpg" title="Citadel of Qaitbey in Alexandria, Egypt" width="150"></a></div>
Me - <i>'Why are we going to Alexandria?'</i><br>
David - <i>'Because we have a few days to spare and Andrew wants to go there.'</i><br>
Me - <i>'Egypt is a huge place I'll bet I can find somewhere much more interesting than an old city founded by a dead conqueror'.</i><br>
David - <i>'It is too late. I have already booked the hotel and transfers.'</i><br>
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This is what happens when you travel with children (even if they are 26 years old and several metres taller than you). You go places you have barely heard of to see things you won't be interested in. Wrong! Andrew, our son, as often happens, pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Our three days in <b><a href="https://www.ancient.eu/alexandria/" target="_blank">Alexandria</a></b> were the most fun of our whole trip. Partly it was lack of expectations and partly it was that Alexandria, with its mix of Ancient Egyptian and Graeco-Roman heritage is a great place to visit. Take my advice. If you get a chance - go there!<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/02/things-to-do-in-alexandria-egypt.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com18Alexandria, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt31.2000924 29.91873869999994930.9828354 29.59601519999995 31.4173494 30.241462199999948tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-68994739217150876512019-01-20T08:24:00.002+11:002019-10-27T10:48:48.200+11:00The best places to visit in Cairo - and one to avoid!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNMaQCsnRE/XELBiE80dMI/AAAAAAABQfs/-czmahhifY0mvFhKsvGe02d38pLBaXWHACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BGreat%2BSphinx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Great Sphinx" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNMaQCsnRE/XELBiE80dMI/AAAAAAABQfs/-czmahhifY0mvFhKsvGe02d38pLBaXWHACLcBGAs/s200/The%2BGreat%2BSphinx.jpg" title="Great Sphinx" width="200"></a></div>
You arrive in <a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/search/label/Egypt" target="_blank">Egypt</a>, surviving a long haul flight in the process. If, like us, you have come from Australia you were in the air for 20 hours or more - half that time if you are lucky enough to live on the east coast of the United States. You spent interminable hours hanging around airports, lining up to check-in, lining up to go through security, lining up to board the plane. You waited while your fellow passengers boarded, stowed their over-size cabin baggage and took their seats, then you waited while the pilot 'just waited on paperwork' (does anyone know what that paperwork they wait for is - couldn't they stay back at the office the night before and clear it up like everyone<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/places-to-visit-in-cairo.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com22Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt30.0444196 31.23571160000005929.9344751 31.074350100000057 30.154364100000002 31.39707310000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-87163794982022733632019-01-12T13:28:00.004+11:002023-02-07T17:16:09.618+11:00 A complete guide to visiting the Pyramids of Giza and my tips to avoid the scams.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RV6Zz5XHSRU/XC576Vu_mXI/AAAAAAABQU8/543W4yljtsIffpqQDoIhI63S30mM7gdqgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pyramids%2Bof%2BGiza.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pyramids of Giza" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RV6Zz5XHSRU/XC576Vu_mXI/AAAAAAABQU8/543W4yljtsIffpqQDoIhI63S30mM7gdqgCLcBGAs/s200/Pyramids%2Bof%2BGiza.jpg" title="Pyramids of Giza" width="200"></a></div>
There is nothing in the world quite like the Pyramids of Giza. Built more than 4,500 years ago, they are the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world in existence today. To say the feeling of standing in front of them and looking up is awesome doesn't come anywhere near to describing it. Sadly however, the one thing most difficult to do at the pyramids is to stand back and soak in the atmosphere.<br>
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Lonely Planet describes it as 'the pyramids hustle'. There is no getting around it - once you set your sights on visiting the pyramids you might as well put a target on your back because you will be fair game for every tout, shonky tourist guide, cheap trinket seller<br>
<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-complete-guide-to-visiting-pyramids.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com26Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt29.9792345 31.13420189999999429.869242500000002 30.972840399999992 30.0892265 31.295563399999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754117460183392334.post-3443125094411051442019-01-01T16:02:00.000+11:002019-10-30T17:00:12.166+11:00A guide to visiting the Tomb of Mehu: Egypt's NEW 4,000 year-old tomb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNr3XSMcD6c/XCdN4f3AGwI/AAAAAAABQT8/S2xz95-cDIskQ2pNJeiYswGJlY8S2V2VACLcBGAs/s1600/Tomb%2Bof%2BMehu%2B2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tomb of Mehu" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNr3XSMcD6c/XCdN4f3AGwI/AAAAAAABQT8/S2xz95-cDIskQ2pNJeiYswGJlY8S2V2VACLcBGAs/s200/Tomb%2Bof%2BMehu%2B2.jpeg" title="Tomb of Mehu" width="150"></a></div>
In September 2018 Egypt opened to the public the 4,000 year old T<b>omb of Mehu</b>. Discovered at Saqqara in 1940 the tomb has never before been open to visitors. Situated at the Saqqara Necropolis, only a short distance from Cairo, the tomb is maddeningly difficult to locate once you are there. In typical Egyptian fashion the Ministry of Antiquities publicised the opening of the tomb with much fanfare around the world then neglected to erect a single sign to help visitors find it. In late November 2018 David and I found the tomb and explored it. After reading <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g294201-i9404-k12034425-Disappointment_Tomb_of_Mehu_Saqqara-Cairo_Cairo_Governorate.html" target="_blank">reviews on Trip Advisor</a> by disappointed tourists who either couldn't find the tomb or couldn't gain access once they found it, I decided to write this post. If you are planning a trip to Egypt and you would like to see something few other people on the planet have seen (so far) then scroll down to 'How to Find the Tomb of Mehu' and follow my directions.<br>
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<a href="https://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/2019/01/a-guide-to-visiting-tomb-of-mehu-egypts.html#more"></a>The Travelling Lindfieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com24Al Badrashin, Giza Governorate, Egypt29.8760704 31.2102537000000674.3540358999999995 -10.098340299999933 55.3981049 72.518847700000066