My nature does not lend itself to traveling in tour groups. I find them to regimented for my tastes. If I like a place I might want to stay longer, and if I don't like it I might want to leave early. Traveling in a tour group this is impossible. There is always a schedule to adhere to, like it or not. I think one of the most enjoyable aspects of this tour was the fact that there were only 16 people. How many times have you taken tours in groups of 40, 50 or even 60 and found it difficult to get close enough to hear what the tour guide was saying. Small groups are much better!

Another thing when touring in a group, don't expect much from the people you are touring with as you may be disappointed. Let's face it, we're all individuals with our own preferences for the people we hang out with and the things we do. Being thrown together in a group of unknowns can introduce some rather surprising turn of events. On this tour there were only two other people our same age, Anne and Geoff. The remainder of the group was at least 15 to 20 years older. There were times we needed to slow down so that the older ones could keep up and they were definitely affected more by the heat than we were. Most of the people were very nice and polite, however, there was one couple who were, to say the least, quite bizarre. They announced to the group right up front that they didn't want to have anything to do with the group; that they were just traveling with us as part of the group, but they didn't want to socialize or even be friendly. I guess it takes all kinds!?! For the better part of the trip they kept their distance from the rest of us, but toward the end of the trip they actually became friendly and began talking with us. So, expect nothing from your group and be pleasantly surprised if they are all nice, enjoyable people.

Now, let's cross the Nile and head into the Valley of the Kings area ...