Thursday, January 9, 2025

Last year we made tentative plans to travel to Egypt with BFF in November 2025. She found an agency called Exoticca, which seems impossibly cheap. 9 days, (2 of which are travel days), hotels, site admissions, 3 day all inclusive river cruise on the Nile and airfare from Minneapolis for around $2,400 pp. Reviews are all over the place from we've done 5 different tours and love them, to, they're great to mostly good but prepare for some frustrations, to, it was a total nightmare.

I don't need top drawer, luxury experience. I think in Egypt we do need a tour though. Considering it, but feel like it's a gamble. But if it was halfway decent, what a way to kick off my retirement year!

It does sound like a great deal but tough to decide with those broad reviews.

Given that it's Egypt, I would be careful and not go too low frills. I, too, want to go to Egypt and see the pyramids, but I do not feel it is safe in the current climate. I would opt for Greece, though that's not exactly a picnic of a political place either these days.

Late check in for me! I posted a few pics and summary of our day on FB if you are interested.

I loved Jimmy Carter! Such a sweet, caring man.

Tomorrow morning we have a whale watching tour and then not sure what else is on the docket! I think maybe some pool time and soaking up some rays! Today was nice and warm but pretty cloudy with just a bit of spitting rain!

Calories have been low (even though I stopped tracking yesterday). Need to do a better job with hydration! It seems so hard for me!

My lasagna recipe is super easy. I actually make a "casserole " with Malfalda noodles (look like little lasagna noodles). I cook up about a pound of lean ground beef, drain the fat and add my favorite canned pasta sauce which is usually Ragu chunky garden vegetable, I cook a box of the pasta and drain. Them I layer meat sauce, pasta, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese for a few layers ending with meat sauce and a layer of mozzarella. If I'm only cooking for 2-3. I divide it between 2 8X8 ish pans and freeze one to eat later! Easy!

Sounds similar to that recipe actually. So glad you made it to warmth. I hope DH is feeling well after his respiratory stuff a few days ago.