Total Eclipse Experience by Mark Sukhija

[ Trip Overview ] [ Why we did this trip ] [ Egypt ] [ Eclipse day ] [ Libya ]

9 April 2006

We're recently back from our trip through Libya and Egypt, which we have very much enjoyed. We purchased our tour through Journeys Worldwide firm based in Brisbane, Australia and run by the inimitable Dick Cijffers, having been informed of it by Peter Anderson of the AAQ.

I have to admit that not long ago I would not have envisaged going to Libya as a tourist. It's been a closed country for so long and run by a leader much-demonised in the West. However, Libya proved to all the more-intriging as a result. Our two guides, Muftah and Muhammer, like their countryfolk we met were polite, welcoming, honest and hospitable to a fault. Both myself and my companion (and I believe the whole group) much enjoyed their company. Speaking personally, the people of Libya will be my lasting memory of this trip.

As a couple, we never travel on tours and normally I will only surrender a maximum of a weekend with a tour for the Forumla-1. Honestly, and I know Dick and others will probably read this, I have mixed feelings about tours. Getting in/around Libya, even getting the visa, would have been difficult (impossible in the Visa's case) without the assistance of a tour firm. This convience was indispensible. However, we are used to being much more flexible in our schedules, in terms of where we visit, when we visit attractions and how long we spend/linger at any place. On balance, however we viewed this as the price we paid for visiting a country we would never otherwise have visited.

All that said though, Dick and Margret from Journeys Worldwide did a fantastic job of organising the tour and keeping us going on schedule throughout the whole trip. Well done to both of you. And I do, henceforth, recommend Journeys Worldwide.

Recent posts

Rome - 14 things not to miss My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Mt Egmont and King Edward Park Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford
Stratford Glockenspiel The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - the dog friendly pub The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Ancient Rome - 8 must see highlights Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Antwerp - de Kathedraal Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
Antwerp - what to do, see, stay and eat What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Austria - recommended places to stay Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz

Further reading

European tourism and rail organisations - a quick reference (N) - A reference guide to European tourism and rail organisations (N)

Europe FAQ - Europe Frequently Asked Questions

Zürich - Aboard a Street Parade Love Mobile 2010 - Love Mobile at the Street Parade 2010 in Zürich

Rapperswil - Manfred Mann plays keyboards at the 2010 Rapperswil Blues n Jazz Festival - Manfred Mann playing keyboards with the Manfred Mann Earth Band in Fischmarktplatz at the 2010 Rapperswil Blues n Jazz Festival

Lucerne - 7 things not to miss - What not to miss in Lucerne

Why chase solar eclipses? - Why I chase total solar eclipse all over the world

Europe - Travel information from around Europe

London - 15 things not to miss - Fifteen things no visitor to London should miss

Rapperswil - What a visitor to Rapperswil needs to know

London markets - 15 of the best markets - 15 food, antiques and clothing markets in London worth visiting

About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook