TDA - Arrival in Cairo

The eight hour flight to Cairo which left on Monday evening was fortunately rather uneventful, and we landed at Cario Airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning. At the Airport we managed to collect our 4x 23kg bags and were ecstatic that our two bike boxes were waiting for us at the odd sized baggage pick-up area.

Ramos the Hotel Representative was at the Airport to welcome us and organised a taxi to transport us with all our luggage and bike boxes to the Cataract Pyramids Resort in the Giza District.

Arrival at Cairo Airport

At the Hotel after booking in, we were greeted by our first TDA Bulletin Board, a daily feature which will be part of our experience for the next four months.

The First of our Daily Bulletin boards

Tuesday was taken up with us unpacking and assembling our bikes, with Leo the Tour Bike Mechanic checking them out to see if they were mechanically sound after their flight to Cairo. Unfortunately the rotor for the front disk brake on Judith's bike was bent rather badly and had to be replaced, but all's well that ends well.

Bike Assembly

In the evening we had an informal "Meet & Greet" where all the riders who had already  arrived in Cairo, met up with each other and all of the TDA Crew over drinks.

On Wednesday we had our first official TDA Briefing Session, where we were officialy introduced to the TDA Crew, and we're briefed and informed about the many aspects of the Tour. There were however two issues I was not in agreement with, these being; Fridges are not there to keep riders beers cold and vehicles are not to be used to buy or collect beer for the riders. It seems other plans will have to be made relating to these issues.

We were also informed, that due to the current political climate in Egypt, it has been decided by the organizers, that all the overnight Desert Camping Sites, are to be replaced by hotel stay overs! Something I am definitely in agreement with. 

The TDA Crew Members at the first of our Briefing Sessions

The rest of the morning was taken up with a trip by taxi to the nearest Bank, to exchange US $ for Egyptian Pounds, as well as purchasing an Egyptian cell phone Sim Card to use for data purposes. 

Wednesday evening was spent at the Pyramids & Sphinx, watching a Light and Laser Show with fellow South Africans, Liz Morris from Cape Town (who is being accompanied in Cairo by her husband Tim) and Kyle, also from Cape Town.

One of the three pyramids of Giza

The Sphinx

So all is well this side. Tomorrow, we start cycling.

Cheers, Mike T