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Egypt – Day 7
We made a quick stop in Edfu to visit the Edfu Temple before passing through the lock and arriving in Luxor. Luxor turned out to be the highlight of our journey along the Nile, with the Luxor Temple and the Boulevard of Sphinx exceeding our expectations. Luxor Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple located on…
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Egypt – Day 6
Day 6 was such an exhilarating adventure! We were picked up from the ship at 6 AM to catch an Egypt Air 30 minute flight to Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is famous for its two massive rock temples built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Located near the Nile…
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Egypt – Day 5
Farewell for now, Cairo; hello, Aswan! We were up bright and early at 4 AM, departing from the Hilton Cairo Grand Nile for our flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, we boarded our cruise ship, the MS Royal Beau Rivage bound for Luxor. We spent one night on the ship in Aswan, where we had the…
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Egypt – Day 3
Today we visited the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The museum presents a modern aesthetic while incorporating elements that reflect ancient Egyptian culture. Its shape is inspired by the pyramids, symbolizing the connection between past and present. The museum will house all of King Tutankhamen’s (King Tut’s) artifacts, but as of this writing the golden mask…
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Egypt – Day 4
Today was another jammed packed day. We started with the Salah el-Din Citadel, also known as the Citadel of Cairo, which is an historic Islamic fortification built in the 12th century by Saladin to defend against the Crusaders. It features impressive architecture, including the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which is renowned for its striking Ottoman-style…
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Egypt – Day 2
DAY 2 This morning, we enjoyed a fantastic buffet breakfast featuring a variety of dishes from around the globe. It was plentiful and absolutely delicious. Afterward, we boarded our tour bus and made our way to Giza to visit the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, renowned as one of the wonders of…
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Egypt – Day 1
DAY 1 After a long flight from Miami to Istanbul and then on to Cairo, we arrived feeling exhausted. Our tour operator, Magic Carpet, was there to warmly welcome us, guiding us through the visa process and customs before taking us to our hotel. The Hilton Cairo Grand Nile, with its stunning views of the…
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Pre Egypt
We arrived in Miami on 9/18/25 to catch a Turkish Airlines flight the following day from MIA to Istanbul, with a layover before continuing on to Cairo. Since some in our group will miss the FPYC’s special Havana Nights soiree due to pre-planned trips, we decided to treat ourselves to a special Cuban experience! We…
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Hong Kong
12/3/2025 🌊 We are arriving a few days early before boarding the gorgeous 🚢 Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas! Our adventure will take us to 🇻🇳 Vietnam, back to 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, and then on to two exciting ports in 🇯🇵 Japan! 🌏✨ We’ll be sharing updates with you soon! 😊 Right now, we’re…
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Okinawa
DECEMBER 2025 We will document our experiences in Okinawa, Japan in December, but for now, here’s a short overview: Okinawa, Japan, is a unique and fascinating region with a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. Okinawa is the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, situated in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan’s…
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Ishigaki
DECEMBER 2025 Ishigaki Island Ishigaki is part of the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan and is the largest island in the Yaeyama Islands, situated about 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Okinawa Island. The island has a unique blend of Japanese and Ryukyu culture, showcasing traditional music, dance, and cuisine. While Japanese is the official language,…
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Celebrity Apex
The Celebrity Apex is the second cruise ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, launched in 2021. It is known for its innovative, outward-facing design, features unique amenities like the Magic Carpet (a cantilevered platform) and Infinite Verandas (staterooms with balconies that can be closed to create internal living space). Review of Celebrity Apex Cruise (November…
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Dubai
Join us in our travels to Dubai. Dubai is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Here is a brief overview: The UAE is located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and Oman to the southeast. It has a coastline along the Persian Gulf. The…
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Ba Na Hills – Vietnam Cruise – Day 7
Perched nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, SunWorld Ba Na Hills boasted an ideal climate, usually 10 degrees cooler than at sea level. Our adventure began at a cable car station, from which we traveled across to the enchanting footbridge known as Cau Vang, or the Golden Bridge. Designed by TA Landscape Architecture of Ho…
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Hoi An – Vietnam Cruise – Day 6
The lantern-lit streets and cultural treasures of Hoi An beckoned us to a bygone era as we explored this ancient city’s most iconic landmarks, discovering an enchanting fusion of history, cuisine, and timeless beauty. We enjoyed a scenic coastal drive to the charming town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a well-preserved…
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Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas
The Spectrum of the Seas is packed with unique features that make it stand out in the cruising world! Here are some of the highlights: 🚀 Futuristic Attractions – **RipCord by iFLY**: Experience the thrill of indoor skydiving in a state-of-the-art simulator! Clay and Viv are booked on this adventure on this cruise. – **North Star**:…
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Saint Kitts and Nevis
November 12, 2025 We opted for a sea-taxi trip to Nevis to tour the island since we had recently visited St. Kitts. Nevis is the sister island to St. Kitts. From St. Kitts, we hopped on a sea-taxi ride and caught a glimpse of wild dolphins in their natural wonder as they crossed the Caribbean…
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Old and New San Juan
November 11, 2025 We immersed ourselves into the history and culture of Old and New San Juan. Highlights We saw the city’s main entrance, where both Colonizadores, or settlers, and pirates used to dock when the Old City was completely fortified. Next stop was the Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi, dating back to 1863,…
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Puerto Plata Sights, Rum Tasting, and Dance Class at La Catalina
November 10, 2025 It was quite a treat to discover the Hacienda Las Catalinas, where we were saw a stunning panoramic view of the entire north coast and the city below. We enjoyed a delicious local lunch that energized us to join a lively Bachata and Merengue dance class working off the meal with some fun…