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  Wednesday 5th of August 2026 and my alarm went off at 6 o'clock. God! I was tired, not much sleep  at all. A quick shower and I was down in the restaurant to have breakfast before leaving for The Giza Pyramids
The car service is setting me back by 80$ and I have planned to be away for about 6 hours, a quick visit to the pyramids and then a few hours at The Grand Egyptian Museum. They have moved The Grand Egyptian Museum to the pyramids. I was about to visit the museum 25 years ago, but back then Egypt was a shithole country. You could not walk on the streets without being harassed: • You are my friend • Souvenir • Good price for you It was impossible to walk the streets, but now I really like Egypt and I am looking forward to visit The Grand Egyptian Museum. The Grand Egyptian Museum should be something really special.  Breakfast at Novotel Cairo Airport
 Breakfast at Novotel Cairo Airport
 Breakfast at Novotel Cairo Airport
The breakfast was good and I went to the tour desk when I had finished the breakfast. I was a wee bit early, and as they do not open The Giza Pyramids until 8 o'clock we were not leaving until 10 minutes past 7. Going outside to wait for the car and I took the opportunity to have a look for birds. Running my eBird app for a couple of minutes and I spotted one new bird for Egypt, the Common Bulbul. Two of them and one Laughing Dove was reported to eBird before my car arrived.  Common Bulbul
 Common Bulbul
 Laughing Dove
 Stepping in to the car and we were soon on our way towards The Giza Pyramids. I had requested a stop to buy fizz drinks, at the hotel they had only shit drinks (Coca Cola) My Driver took me to a petrol station with a mini mart and they had proper fizz drinks. I bought enough to last me over the day and we were soon on our way towards The Giza Pyramids again.  I found fizz drinks
 I found fizz drinks
 Next stop The Giza Pyramids
We pass the City of the Dead (Al-Qarafa), as I understand, it is a huge grave yard. The area is covered with tombs and according to my Driver people have moved in to the tombs.
We stop to have a few pictures before we continue toward Giza. Leaving Cairo crossing the Nile River and we are in Giza. Back in the days it was two different cities, but today they are built together as one city. If it would not have been for the Nile River it would have been impossible to see any difference. We stop on the bridge to take a few pictures.  City of the Dead (Al-Qarafa)
 City of the Dead (Al-Qarafa)
 Nile River
 Nile River
 Nile River
 Bridge over The Nile River
  My Driver
 We stop on the highway to take pictures of the pyramids
 We stop on the highway to take pictures of the pyramids
We are on the west side of the River Nile heading down the highway towards the pyramids. Stopping to take pictures from the highway when we spot the pyramids beyond the buildings. We approached the pyramid area and I asked the Driver to stop at a pile of garbage on the street. There were some Cattle Egrets foraging in the garbage. The Driver thought that I was crazy, but I explained about the birds. I was not very interested in the garbage, only in the birds.  Cattle Egret
 Cattle Egret
 Cattle Egret
 Hooded Crow
 Cattle Egret
We left the birds behind and we stopped at a tour office after a couple of minutes. Entrance to The Giza Pyramids are 15 US $. And the horse ride is 60 US $ extra. I just want to make a quick visit as I want to spend more time at the museum. So, I paid the extra for the horse and the guy went to get a card reader so I could pay. They  told me that I could pay after when we pass an ATM. But I want to pay so I can just leave when I am ready. He pulls out a drawer with sand in the bottom and some stone pyramids. He called it a map, and, well, I was not so very impressed.  The Giza Pyramids
 He brings tea
 Enjoying my tea
The entrance to the pyramids opens at 8 o'clock and I asked why we did not leave. Seems like the horses don't wake up until 9 o'clock and this was a wee bit of a setback.  We drink a bit of tea while waiting, I am very impatient and I was soon climbing the walls in the ticket office. “Let’s go!” I said
Getting in to the car again, I had expected to go by horse from the ticket office. But the horses are at the pyramid area and we go there by car, a 2 minutes ride. We reach the entrance and me and my Guide leave the Driver behind. He will wait for me outside the area until I am back.  Finally inside the pyramid area
 Finally inside the pyramid area
 The Sphinx
To enter The Giza Pyramids and it was a full “airport” security check. Take out everything and  send through an x-ray and you have to walk through an x-ray as well.
I asked for my camera and they told me it was not allowed to have a camera with a 500mm lens inside the area. I was not very happy as I had planned to look for birds. I had to go back with my camera and I will keep it in the car while I look at the pyramids. Back in again and I had expected the horse to wait for me, no, now we had to trot to the horse area. There were many horses and camels waiting for the tourists. There is a stone wall and I used this one to climb up in to the carriage.  Our Hero is ready for the adventure
  Our Hero is ready for the adventure
 Passing the Sphinx
 We will start at the pyramids
 Our Hero is on his way to explore the area
We leave the horse area behind and my plan is to start at the pyramids and to pass the Sphinx on the way back to the gate. We pass the Sphinx on our way to the pyramids and I got a few pictures. It is a couple of minutes to the pyramids. My Guide, he went on and on explaining how good service he was providing. I understood that he was preparing me for the tip. I asked if he could please be quiet. He managed to keep his mouth shut for a couple of seconds before he continued. We reach the pyramids and my Guide want me to touch the pyramid while he is taking a picture. I have been here before so I stayed in the carriage for a picture before we left again.  At the pyramids
 At the pyramids
 At the pyramids
 Sphinx seen from the pyramids
One more stop before I leave for The Grand Egyptian Museum, the Sphinx. We meet a lot of tourists on their way to the pyramids on camels and in horse carriage. We leave the dust road and the horse is struggling a bit to pull us through the sand to get to the Sphinx so I can get a few pictures. Reaching the Sphinx and we get a few pictures before we leave for the gate. I get of the horse and I go to the ATM to get some cash for a tip to the Guide.  On the way to the Sphinx
 On the way to the Sphinx
 The Sphinx
 The Sphinx
 The Sphinx
 The Sphinx
 The Sphinx
 Now I have been at The Giza Pyramids two times, so for sure, no need to come back again. Next stop, The Grand Egyptian Museum and I am looking forward to this visit. Parking the car at The Grand Egyptian Museum and we went to buy a ticket. Only one line and it is not moving. My Guide explain that the system is down. I realise that we are going to waste a lot of time that I do not have. We are leaving, going back to Novotel Cairo Airport passing the Nile River.  The Grand Egyptian Museum
 Line to the buy a ticket is not moving
 The Giza Pyramids, seen from The Grand Egyptian Museum
 Back at the hotel around 12 thirty and I go to my room while waiting for the lunch buffet to start. I was very happy with Novotel’s car service. My Driver did not give up and we managed to find e-juice on the way back to the hotel. I prepared my luggage, I will leave with the free airport shuttle at 5 o'clock. Now I realise that I am booked with the Emirates, the same airline I refused to fly with when I was joining Maersk Cancun in Alexandria back in May. The last video I saw from Dubai was of passengers, staff and crew running away when bombs were falling. I was not very happy for this, now I have to worry about the war between Iran and USA.  Baklava
Lunch, I had some bread and mashed potato with their excellent fish. I was seated just next to the baklava and I wanted to save some room for the baklava. And the baklava was excellent, not enough with one plate. Rolling back to my room where I had a quick power nap. I checked out 20 minutes before 5 o'clock. I was waiting in the reception when they came to take my luggage. I followed and the Porter told me that I could wait inside enjoying the AC. Never mind, I went outside and I was soon onboard the bus. They told me that I would be the only passenger, but I was soon joined by two other passengers.   Airport shuttle ready for boarding
 Waiting for the departure
Take us a couple of minutes to reach Terminal 2 at Cairo International Airport, Maṭār El Qāhira El Dawli (مطار القاهرة الدولي) Turns out that the two other passengers is on the same flight as me. Two guys from India working with air traffic control and they will stay in Dubai. It was easy to get to the departures, expect for the security before checking-in. But what I difference from  last time I was at Cairo International Airport 25 years ago.
Back then there was someone asking for money around every corner. I checked in, took me a minute and I was full of enthusiams moving on to the immigration. Not so much people at the immigration, but my enthusiasm disappeared very quickly. The lines were not moving, there was a family of seven and they occupied one immigration booth for well over an hour. Passing security and I was in the tax-free area. I went to look for an inflatable neck pillow, I must have forgotten my Samsonite pillow at the hotel in Alexandria.  Cairo International Airport, Maṭār El Qāhira El Dawli (مطار القاهرة الدولي)
 Near business class experience. Neck pillow and my last FIZZ DRINK
Finding gate 11 and I take a seat. Pop opens my last FIZZ DRINK that I have managed to get all the way to the gate, passing two security checks with x-ray. Enjoying my last FIZZ DRINK while trying out my new neck pillow. There is not very much to do but to look out over the desert and the runway. Watching the airplanes passing by and time turns pretty quickly. There are not many passengers at the gate, the Airbus 380 takes almost 500 passengers. So, I had expected it to be crowded as the flight is full.   Boarding the flight
 Our plane
 Jet bridge full of passengers
My flight is booked with Emirates, honestly, I would have changed if I had noticed this as I really do not fancy to fly via Dubai during the war. And I had also noticed that the Dubai to Bangkok is an Emirates flight. Emirates EK 2480 (Operated by Flydubai, FZ1345), I had only noticed the Emirates flight EK 2480, not the Flydubai part. I managed to secure an aisle seat from Cairo to Dubai. But they told me that they did not have any contact with Flydubai at check-in. So, I have a window seat from Dubai to Bangkok. And Flydubai, a low-cost airline and the space in the seat leave a lot to wish for. I am almost the last one to board Emirates Flight EK 924 and I get my aisle seat.  Emirates Flight EK 924 is full
 Neck pillow, almost like business class
4 hours to Dubai, and the seats in the Airbus 380 are quite comfy. Emirates served good food and the service was very good. A team of Stewardesses walked around taking pictures of passengers, mostly the children. Using a polaroid camera and they handed out the pictures. I was sitting next to two girls (adults) and they wanted to have pictures. I suggested that they should use their phone, better quality. They asked for three pictures before the Stewardess told them that it was enough. +++++++++++++++
Thursday 6th of August 2026 and we land in Dubai 20 past 1 o'clock in the morning, 20 minutes late. Boarding of flight EK 2480, Flydubai flight FZ1345 starts in 20 minutes.
Flydubai's flight FZ1345 to Bangkok is full, but I manage to arrange an aisle seat at the boarding  gate. I was happy for my aisle seat going to the gate, a bus gate.
Getting on the bus as the third last passenger, two girls came after me. I offered them to board before me, but they declined and they were the last to board. Some of the passengers looked at me, there was not much room left for the two girls. “LOOK AT PORKY!  HE TAKE THE SPACE FROM THE GIRLS!” No, I offered to let them enter first. Duck off! No sign of the bus leaving anytime soon  and we were just standing there waiting for what?
Finally, we start to move and it was a long drive before we reached the plane on the tarmac. It was a very unpleasant trip from the terminal, just a couple of seats and the rest of the passengers had to stand up. I was eager to get off the bus, but they only open the door in the front, and they checked the boarding pass of every passenger getting off the bus. Depending on the seat number, they directed you to the door in the front or in the aft. I was in the last row so I entered the plane in the back door. Climbing the stairs and I just passed the galley and I was in my seat. And the two seats next to me was occupied.  Coming off the bus
 Our Flydubai plane
 Our Flydubai plane
 Our Flydubai plane
 Finally, in my seat
Taking my seat, it was almost impossible to get down in the seat. It was a very unpleasant  experience, low-cost airline and there is not a millimetre of spare space.
It was a nightmare sitting in the seat already after 20 seconds. One lady came back to ask the Stewardess how much it was to upgrade to business class. I heard the price, 3400 Scooby Doo dollars. I asked how much it was in US dollars and the Stewardess  calculated and it turned out to be 700 US dollars.
I told the Stewardess that I could pay and I moved forward, 5 available seats in business class and I got 2 seats for myself. Finally, in my seat and I was so relieved to have left the mayhem in the back behind me. The business class eat were full flatbed, nothing I had expected on a low-cost airline. So, I was very happy up front waiting for us to take off towards Bangkok. A 6-hour flight and I hope to be able to sleep all the way to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok.  A long flight should be comfortable
 The water bottles are bigger up front
 No need for the stupid neck pillow up front
Thirsty, the “micro” bottle of water that I got back in monkey class was empty in a jiff. There  was water at the seat up front, and it did not take long to notice the difference in size.
The Stewardess brought a menu and I asked for the cheese omelette option. She asked if I wanted  it after departure or just before arrival.
I told the Stewardess that I would like to have breakfast before arrival, but no need to wake me up. I asked if they had proper tea cups, or the small coffee cups. They only had the small cups and I asked her to bring me 3 cups of Earl Grey tea with the breakfast. But no need to wake me up!  Taxi to the runway
 Taxi to the runway
 Our Hero is soon asleep
Taking of and I turn my seat in to a bed as soon as the SEAT BELT sign comes off. Asking the Stewardess for a couple of extra pillows and I am soon asleep. Waking up about an hour before arrival to Don Mueang International Airport Getting my breakfast and it was very good. It was also good food on the Emirates flight from Cairo to Dubai. Bay of Bengal, an area notorious for turbulence and we can read every now and then about people injured on flight. I always have my seat belt on during the flight. Anyway, no hot drinks because of the risk for turbulence, a disappointment. But I enjoyed my breakfast.  Breakfast
 Coming in over Thailand
Finished the breakfast and there was not much to do to kill time. Only to look out the window. Rainy season and it is gloom and grey for long as I can see. We are soon approaching Don Mueang International Airport (ท่าอากาศยานดอนเมือง) and I can see some planes on the tarmac, most likely decommissioned planes. Touch down and I can see some Cattle Egrets and I start my eBird app to report the Cattle Egrets and one Asian Openbill. Always taking the chance to report birds to eBird. We reach the gate and I am the first passenger to get off the plane.  Approaching Don Mueang International
 Don Mueang International Airport (ท่าอากาศยานดอนเมือง)
 Taxi to the gate
 Taxi to the gate
 Today's eBird track Don Mueang International Airport
 Finally at our gate
 Endless trotting to reach immigration
It was quite a walk to reach the immigration. Discovering that there were quite a few passengers lined up in front of the immigration. It was quite quick to pass the immigration, finger prints, a picture and a stamp in the passport. The whole affair took 30 seconds maximum. Asking for the AOT limousine service and I am told that they do not have this service at Don Mueang International Airport (ท่าอากาศยานดอนเมือง) She suggest a GRAB. Taking a seat overlooking the luggage belt and I cannot see my luggage. Last bag is coming on the belt and no sign of my luggage and I cannot say that I was surprised with the short connection time in Dubai.  Our Hero have passed the immigration
 Picking up my bags
I am soon discovering that they have removed my luggage from the belt and they were standing  next to the belt. This is a practice I have noticed the last couple of years and I do not like it.
Better when the luggage just goes around and around and you can see the bags passing your seat (if you are lucky to find a seat) Bringing my luggage to 7 Eleven where I bought three FIZZ DRINKS before going out to book a GRAB.  On the way to Samut Prakan
Spending the next two days at home sleeping and I missed my session with The Red Devil (ปีศาจแดง ก.กุมานนท์) at Chaiyasit Muay Thai Gym (ไชยสิทธิ์มวยไทยยิม) on Friday and it was Saturday before going to the gym. I was sleeping for two days, so it was Saturday before I got to the gym. I stopped at the motorcycle repair shop to put my Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด) on my BIRDING SCOOTER on my way back to my room.  Attaching Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด)
 Attaching Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด)
 Attaching Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด)
 Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด)
Happy to finally have attached the Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด) on the scooter. The shop has had the statue since I left for Egypt, but there has been no time for the mechanic to do the job. And he also needed time to find out a way to attach the statue. There will be plenty luck coming my way with the Luang Pu Tuad (หลวงปู่ทวด) in the front of the scooter. I will see plenty birds and I will win the lottery SEVERAL times. I booked a ticket to Copenhagen with Thai Airways and I will spend a couple of days in the forest in Skåne. BBQ and bird watching, and of course, I will buy some Swedish sausages. My friends are delirious with anticipation to have BBQ when I come back. The Red Devil (ปีศาจแดง  ก.กุมานนท์) have tried Swedish sausages several times, but TEAM Aladdin Gym don't  know what they have missed. We will  hopefully have a chance to let them try when I am back again.
I will leave with empty bags and I will return with fully loaded luggage. Luggage allowance 2 x 32 kg + 30 kg as a ROP member. So, there will be sausages to last for a while, at least a little while. 
Two more sessions with The Red Devil (ปีศาจแดง ก.กุมานนท์) before I leave, so I will have to continue with my diet when I return again.  Känd från internet
 Our Hero enjoying Earl Grey tea
The lady is drinking coffee
+++++++++++++++
Wednesday 12th of August 2026 and I book a GRAB between two rounds at Chaiyasit Muay Thai Gym (ไชยสิทธิ์มวยไทยยิม) and I will leave for the airport at 9 o'clock tonight.
Will there be any birds in Sweden? Will there be any BBQ? Click HERE to find out. 
    
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To www.aladdin.st since December 2005
Visitors from different countries since 26th of September 2011
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