Today is an exceptional day—Denise and I are heading to Cairo, the land of the pharaohs! This trip holds special meaning for me, as my last visit was 44 years ago. Between 1979 and 1981, I spent a great deal of time in Egypt, making multiple trips in preparation for an incentive programs. One of those trips lasted over many weeks, working with groups from Olivetti and Melnor Industries/Beatrice Foods. Egypt was a bucket list destination then, and it remains one today. I still remember the desire to go. corny now but looking back it was an incredible experience— I was watching Jaws from the 007 movies and the iconic James Bond flight scene at Luxor Temple. If only I could go there! One of my most unforgettable moments was riding bareback along the Nile River on a black stallion, galloping at full speed with my client’s daughter riding a white stallion beside me. It was the kind of moment that stays with you forever. If only I could step back in time and relive those adventures!
Those trips were truly special. Then I was scheduled to return for a final checkout before bringing another group, ensuring every detail was perfect. But just three weeks before our arrival, history took a dramatic turn—the tragic assassination of Anwar Sadat led to the cancellation of the program. In a last-minute pivot, we rerouted 150 guests to Tahiti instead (which, as it turned out, was an incredible trip in its own right!).
I still have the receipts from that era—stays at the legendary Etap Hotel, Winter Palace, and Mena House Oberoi, located right at the base of the Giza Pyramids. Now, decades later, I’m finally making my return, seeing Cairo with fresh eyes and a deeper appreciation for its timeless wonders.
What makes this journey even more fascinating is that just last week, we visited the pyramids of Tulum—another ancient marvel, aligned on nearly the same latitude as the pyramids of Giza. It’s incredible to think that, despite being an ocean apart and separated by thousands of years, the Egyptians and the Maya built monumental structures with similar symbols and hieroglyphs. How did two civilizations with no known contact develop such strikingly parallel ideas?
I can’t wait to revisit this extraordinary place, explore the mysteries of the past, and see what has changed—and what remains eternal. Cairo, here we come! PS I'm with an elete group of 24 family, friends and former customers. Interested in joining our next trip? LMK.
