A living history lesson- travelling Egypt

A journey through three great ancient civilizations.

Exploring Egypt, Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

When the Carlson family decided to travel to Egypt in 2012, they thought it would be an education for their 16-year-old son.

The trip proved to be a history lesson none of them would ever forget!

Retired airline employee Don Carlson from Galston in Sydney had always wanted to attend an Anzac Day ceremony in Gallipoli, and this year decided to fulfill his dream by taking his wife Lorraine and 16-year-old son Michael to this historic occasion.

With time to spare, they also decided to book side trips to Greece and Egypt, the highlight being an eight-day Nile Safari with The Imaginative Traveller.

This was to be a journey through three great ancient civilizations – Egypt, Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

With Michael studying Ancient History at school, Don and Lorraine hoped their son would benefit from the experience. What they didn’t expect was that they would all have their eyes opened, not only to the wonders of the ancient world, but also to the modern day culture of these fascinating countries.

The Egyptian leg, in particular, was an enlightening experience.

Imaginative Traveller’s focus is on responsible, eco-friendly travel, with their tours including experiences unique to the culture and beneficial to local communities.

According to the Carlsons, their Egypt tour provided an insight into the Egyptian way of life, providing a richer and more fulfilling experience than they had anticipated.

“There was so much to see and learn,” Lorraine said. “And even though it was cultural overload, it wasn’t too rushed, and we got to look at the place from the inside out. It was a beautiful blend – I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone wanting to experience Egypt as Egypt.”

One of the most memorable experiences for Lorraine was a 1.5 hour early morning donkey ride to the Valley of Kings, a journey that allowed them to experience the scenery at a leisurely pace, winding their way through the fields, watching local kids heading off to school, and culminating in a donkey race at the end!

“You actually had time to feel as though you were part of the landscape – it just didn’t flash by in a blur. It was also great fun!” she said.

A camel ride through the desert also provided a lot of amusement. “It was hysterical, though I think it did my husband permanent damage!” Lorraine laughed. This experience also resonated with Michael, who learnt a valuable lesson in humility.

“One thing he found out was how much he had, and how little others had. He was very concerned about giving his camel handler a decent tip – he heard adults quibbling over one dollar, and seeing how hard this young fellow had worked, Michael handed him a decent tip. It really taught him how to be humble, I think.”

For Michael, seeing how other people live was a real eye-opener and definitely an enriching experience. “It was a bit of a culture shock, seeing how people live in half-built houses. But this way, you can get the real feel for the place and absorb more – definitely better than looking at things in a text book. For me, the highlight was finally seeing the pyramids up close and personal – I even got to go inside one!”

For Don, the most rewarding thing was seeing how much his son enjoyed himself. “Kids have different agendas to mums and dads,” Don said, “and my main concern was that Michael would enjoy himself. I was worried that at 16, that he wouldn’t cope with it – but he really, really enjoyed it. That was the highlight for me.”