- Inspiration to Adventure: Discover how a New Year’s resolution sparked our desire for extraordinary experiences.
- Memorable Moments in Egypt: Highlighting our favorite activities during two weeks before cycling Africa.
- Life-Changing Resolutions: Reflecting on the significance of resolutions and their power to transform lives.
It started out as a New Year’s Resolution on the eve of 2007. We were feeling blue after two years of working too hard and traveling too little. We found ourselves stuck in a rut.
Just after midnight on a gray New Year’s Eve, we were watching TV and luckily saw a profile of ultra marathon runner Ray Zahab featured on the CBC. Inspired, we made a pact to embark on something extraordinary in the New Year.
Tour d’Afrique
Two weeks later, we decided to cycle across Africa, participating in the longest cycling race in the world, stretching over 12,000 km. We trained throughout the year leading up to the race, hoping to sell a travel show to networks like Discovery or The Outdoor Network.
We remained focused on our goal of joining the EFI club and winning the race.
I became the women’s champion, while Dave successfully cycled Every Fabulous Inch, enabling us to fulfill our ambitions for the Tour d’Afrique 2008.
While the television opportunity did not materialize, our adventure travel blog emerged, and a year and a half later, we returned to the road as full-time travelers, finally living our dream.
And the rest is history.
In honor of our three-year anniversary since that transformative trip, we wanted to share our favorite moments in Egypt. The first leg of the Tour d’Afrique begins at the Pyramids and proceeds along the Nile all the way to Sudan.
To ensure a thorough experience of what the country offers, we departed for Africa two weeks early to indulge in our own Egypt Holidays. We were grateful for that decision because once we hit the road, it became a non-stop race to the finish line.
What We Did for Our Two Weeks in Egypt Before the Tour d’Afrique
1. Bedouin Safari to the White Desert
Visiting the White Desert ranks among our best travel experiences of all time. A jeep transports you deep into the Sahara Desert, leading you through the Black Desert before entering the White Desert.
The White Desert feels like another planet. Your Bedouin guides will set up camp while you explore breathtaking formations you may ever witness.
Giant rocks emerge from the desert floor, forming curious shapes reminiscent of giant mushrooms, camels, and birds.
These formations, sculpted from a chalky substance, showcase the wondrous effects of erosion in the heart of the desert.
2. Hire a Camel to See the Pyramids
No visit to Egypt is complete without seeing one of the world’s wonders. The Pyramids of Giza do not disappoint, and there is no better way to experience them than on the back of a camel.
Engaging a guide and a camel allows you to explore the pyramids away from tourist buses and crowds.
Live out your Lawrence of Arabia fantasies while visiting one of the last remaining Ancient Wonders of the World.
3. Take a Felucca on the Nile
Nothing compares to sailing on the Nile; this mythical river truly lives up to the hype.
Contemplating the historical events that unfolded along its banks is awe-inspiring: from the tale of baby Moses to the reigns of Pharoahs and Cleopatra, this river holds a rich tapestry of history.
To set sail on a Felucca, feeling the breeze against your face while the only sound is the whisper of the wind, transports you back to ancient times.
4. Explore the Valley of the Kings
The burial grounds of the great Kings of Ancient Egypt, the Valley of the Kings, is truly impressive.
A vast valley surrounded by cliffs and mountains serves as the perfect resting place for royalty. The final resting place of King Tut and Ramses I, III, IV is filled with expansive chambers hidden beneath the mountains.
While at the Valley of the Kings, be sure to visit the magnificent temple of Hatshepsut. This impressive monument is unique as it was constructed for a female king.
5. Visit a Charity in Cairo
As we cycled through Africa, a portion of our proceeds was allocated to the Tour d’Afrique Bicycle Foundation, enabling us to raise funds and awareness for Plan Canada.
We had the honor of visiting an area in Cairo that is rarely seen by tourists.
This part of the city is impoverished, but with the help of Plan, vital microfinance projects are empowering craftsmen and artists. Thus, running water has been introduced to the community, children with disabilities receive assistance and integration, and there is renewed hope for a brighter future.
We had an uplifting experience meeting these kind-hearted individuals who shared their homes with us despite having so little.
During our time in Egypt, we experienced many sights, from Luxor Temple to the Cairo Museum and Abu Simbel, and camped on the Red Sea. We sailed along Lake Nassar all the way to Sudan, yet there remains so much more of Egypt to explore. However, this trip before the Tour d’Afrique set a strong foundation for our adventure.
This journey changed our lives, marking the beginning of a transformative experience we will never forget.
New Year’s Resolutions
Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution that genuinely impacted your life? Do you believe in the power of New Year’s Resolutions, and if so, did you follow through? Our resolution made in New Year 2008 was the most significant one we’ve ever made; we wholeheartedly believe in setting new goals and embracing new opportunities each year.
This year, we embarked on a new resolution to regain our Tour d’Afrique fitness. We have begun our Muay Thai training camp, and you can look forward to hearing more about it soon.
Before writing this post, we posed a Twitter Question to our audience about their experience with New Year’s Resolutions, and here are some interesting responses:
- SaritaAshley: I don’t particularly enjoy New Year’s resolutions. I find it perplexing that we can’t strive for improvement every day.
- EvannRachel: I view them as positive. That date change can serve as a motivator for new beginnings.
- Nomad_Student: Making resolutions on January 1st seems trivial; one should resolve to change when genuinely inspired!
- backpackingww: Good intentions behind them, but change shouldn’t wait until a new year!
Travel Planning Resources
For anyone eager to plan their next adventure, consider using these well-tested resources that we personally recommend.
Find Your Flights: Begin your trip planning by hunting for the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have trusted them for years to find the best deals.
Secure Your Accommodation: For the best hotel price options, use Booking.com for Europe, and TripAdvisor for other locations.
Apartment Rentals: Uncover great deals on apartment rentals through VRBO.
Travel Insurance: Always travel protected. Here’s what we recommend:
- Safety Wing – For occasional travelers.
- Medjet – Global air medical transport and travel security.
Experience Local Activities: For walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more, we recommend Get Your Guide.
If you need further assistance planning your trip, don’t forget to visit our Resources Page, where we highlight trustworthy companies to assist you while traveling.
