The trip out to Egypt
I checked in, and availed myself of a wheelchair. I recommend this to anybody with limited mobility. Going through the security area is faster, and I did not have to remove my shoes or get out of the chair. I didn't even have to get my laptop out of my bag.
Then I was deposited at the Assistance point close to gate A16. The main problem here was that none of the staff understood enough English to communicate, and there was a somewhat chaotic air. Rather than wander off in search of a pint or duty free I just rested here for about 2 hours.
The Egyptair flight MS780 to Cairo is now allocated to gate A18, which is the closest to the main building. Had I known this I could have walked to the gate, via a bar. As we had arrived at the closest gate to the Immigration Hall back in April I suspected that there had been a change, but it is a great improvement not having to use the tunnel out the terminal B.
Service on the flight was restricted the only drinks offered were water and a carton of apple juice, apart from tea or coffee after the meal. This is an after-effect of the Covid restrictions so as to have as few interactions between the crew and the pax.
We arrived at Cairo a few minutes late, leaving us with an hour and three quarters to get to the domestic gate for MS62 to Luxor at 06:10 on Wednesday morning. Quite a wait for a wheelchair, but I was efficiently wheeled through immigration, the visa desk, etc. And finally abandoned in my chair next to the lift for the gate. As departure time approached, I was slightly concerned that I had been forgotten, and was just about to do my Lazarus act and walk the final few yards. But eventually assistance came. I was the only passenger to use the lift to the plane. And the plane was about full, mainly with passengers for the cruise boats.
Tayib was waiting, but I visited duty free. Disappointingly they have reduced the quota of spirits to just 1 litre. It used to be 4. So a litre of Ballantines (US$18) will have to last the winter. :-(
The US25 visa fee was converted to EGP491.75 at 19.67 to 1.
My GB#30 notes were converted to EGP663.72 at 22.124 to 1.
So I got nearly EGP172 in change.
No ripping off this year!