Travel Thursday - Lili on the Loose

28 07, 2016

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

By Lili|July 28th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, History, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Alexandria, Anubis, Apis Bull, catacombs, catacombs of kom el shoqafa, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, Egyptian, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Greek, Isis, Middle East, roman, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

Source The mysterious Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Alexandria were discovered a little more than a hundred years ago when a donkey disappeared into a hole in the earth. What was uncovered was a complex of 3 story underground catacomb. While the upper floor is pretty bare from design the middle floor has a unique tomb that combines Egyptian, Greek, and Roman iconography. Above the entrance you can see many Uraei (cobras) with the sun disk, and the winged vulture, a common sight of Egyptian temples. But on the side you see a greek Agathodaimon (serpent) wearing the double crown

15 07, 2016

Crack in the Shadows of Xibalba

By Lili|July 15th, 2016|Categories: Activities, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2013, Belize, Cave, Cave Tubing, Caves, Caves Branch River, Cenote, Central America, dark, Latin America, Mayan Encounter 2013, Nohoch Che'en Archaeological Reserve, Photo Friday, San Ignacio, Travel Thursday, Tubing, Xibalba|0 Comments

While cave tubing in Belize a cenote allowed a little light into the dark cave. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

14 07, 2016

Trip Preparation: Egypt Packing List

By Lili|July 14th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Planning, Travel Tips|Tags: 2015, Africa, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Middle East, packlist, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

Here is my packing list from my Egypt Trip. Carry On Neck Pillow Eye Mask Ear Plugs Sarong (as a blanket/towel) Journal Pens Gum Snacks Glasses Day Pack Water-bottle with Mister Sun Hat Sun Glasses Rain Ponchos (if bad is weather) Anti Theft Purse Money holder, Coin Purse, & Wrist Wallet Language Guide Electronics Headphones Kindle Fire Kindle Touch Phone Batter Packs & Chargers Power Strip Travel Adaptor Camera with Memory Cards Clothes Shirts Pants & Capris Jeans Scarf Bras Underware Socks Sleep outfit Swimsuit Sweater Dress Sport Sandals Sneakers Jewelry Toiletries Q Tips Toilet Paper Hand Sanitizer Tissues Tiger

30 06, 2016

Hypaethral Hall of Trajan’s Kiosk

By Lili|June 30th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Agilika Island, Aswan, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Middle East, Philae, Philae Temple, Roman Emperor, Trajan, Trajan's Kiosk, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

Trajan's Kiosk is a hypaethral temple (no roof) found at Philae in Egypt. Trajan was a Roman Emperor best known for having extended the Roman Empire to its largest area. Part of the newly acquired area was Egypt. Rome assimilated into the local culture and created hybrid architecture temples. This was one of them. It is airy and bright with beautiful different capitals on top of each column. And with a view right on the water. It was sometimes nicknamed "The Pharaoh's Bed".

23 06, 2016

Coptic Crosses at Philae Temple

By Lili|June 23rd, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Agilika Island, Alter, Aswan, Coptic, Coptic Church, Coptic Cross, Cross, Crosses, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, G Adventures, Hieroglyphics, Middle East, Philae, Philae Temple, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

These crosses are a jarring contrast against the detailed hieroglyphics you see throughout Philae Temple, so its not hard to spot them. On columns and entryways they are found. They stand out more than the ancient graffiti. And even stand out more than the defaced images of Egyptian Gods, Goddesses, Pharaohs and everyday people. When I first saw these, as a fan of Ancient Egypt I was peeved. Philae Temple is so impressive, and the carvings that remain intriguing. But upon reflection these crosses shows how ancient temples found new uses in later times. They were refuges for early oppressed Christians as

16 06, 2016

Hieroglyphics and Nilometer on Elephantine Island

By Lili|June 16th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, History, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Aswan, cartouche, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, Elephantine Island, Hieroglyphics, Middle East, Nilometer, Photo Essay, Psamtik II, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|2 Comments

Near the Nilometer on Elephantine Island in Aswan, Egypt, there are massive boulders you can see from the river with hieroglyphics inscribed with the cartouche of Psamtik II. It is really amazing to see these hieroglyphics so clearly from the water. And to withstand the test of time. The entrance to the Nilometer is an unassuming doorway with steps leading to the nile. It is one of the oldest Nilometers in Egypt and was in use until the 19th century. Every other week Travel Thursday brings you travel tips and information on the amazing sights and activities the world has to offer.

2 06, 2016

Dueling Dragons Queue Theming

By Lili|June 2nd, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2012, Champion, Chinese Fireball, coaster, dragon, Florida, flying car, Flying Hippogriff, Ford Anglia, goblet of fire, Hagrid's Hut, Harry Potter, Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Hungarian Horntail, Islands of Adventure, line, Ministry of Magic, Movie, North America, Orlando, Orlando Adventure 2012, Photo Essay, queue, roller coaster, Theme Park, Travel Thursday, Triwizard, triwizard cup, triwizard tournament, Universal Studios, USA, Witches, Wizarding World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Wizards|0 Comments

I'm afraid of heights. While sometimes I will test this fear, one thing I just cannot handle is very fast roller coasters, or ones that make you go upside down. But when visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter I decided I had to see the Triwizard Tournament Dragon Challenge theming for the Dueling Dragon coasters, even if I wasn't going to ride it. On my second day I had early admission so I entered the queue and slowly walked through it, waving others past me. First you'll see the banners for the 4 champions. As you walk you'll see the

25 05, 2016

Don’t Panic, Just Take a Towel (& Other Travel Necessities)

By Lili|May 25th, 2016|Categories: Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Tips|Tags: 42, Douglas Adams, Geek Day, Geek Pride Day, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, packing, Towel, Towel Day, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

“A towel, [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap

19 05, 2016

Showtime in Las Vegas

By Lili|May 19th, 2016|Categories: Concerts, Theater & Shows, Travel|Tags: 2011, 2016, Adobe Summit, cirque, cirque du soleil, Girl’s Weekend, Las Vegas, Le Rêve, Magic, Nevada, North America, Penn and Teller, Summit Bash, The Dream, The Linq, The Rio, The Wynn, Travel Thursday, USA, Vegas Checklist, Weezer|0 Comments

Las Vegas is always re-inventing itself, but one thing that has been a constant in Las Vegas is its entertainment acts and shows. On my previous trips to Las Vegas I was either too tired or busy to do see any shows (unless you count a male revue for a friends bachelorette), but this most recent trip I decided to branch out and see what Las Vegas had to offer. Magic On my first night, I found myself at the last minute grabbing tickets to Penn & Teller. I had wanted to see a real magic show since I was a kid

12 05, 2016

Las Vegas 2016 Cost Analysis

By Lili|May 12th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Budget|Tags: 2016, Bellagio, breakdown, Canyon Ranch Spa, cost analysis, Ethel M chocolate, fossil, gambling, horeseback riding, Las Vegas, Le Rêve, Magic, Mandalay Bay, Neon Museum, Nevada, North America, Penn and Teller, shark reef, shopping, Spa, spending, taxi, The Dream, The Venetian, Travel Thursday, Treasure Island, trilobite, Uber, USA, Vegas Checklist, Zoltar|0 Comments

Wynn Carousel made of flowers. Opulence in Vegas is expected. The last time I was in Las Vegas for a vacation was in 2011. I tracked my budget back then and shared it in this post. I wanted to do the same with my most recent trip to Las Vegas as a comparison. This trip is a little different though. The bulk of my time was for a client event, and so I won't share those numbers here. So while I was in Vegas for 6 days I'll just focus on my free-time activities which accounts for a