Larry, you will have to work real hard on your TR to match Dogster's wit :). Boy, it's going to be so much fun ...

Well Dogsters wit is pretty unique so I'll just post my usual stuff and enjoy his TR like we all usually. Hey, can't compete with that man, just want to keep enjoying it.

Aw shucks...

I leave in three weeks. I decided last night to bite the bullet on Egypt so added it in at the front. I've been there three times before so this is really just to try out Nour-el-Nil and revisit the Egyptian Museum in between bouts of jet-lag.

I assume that, as a consequence, papers will be full of revolution and disaster between now and then. I note a thread on another board assuring me that I'll be killed by militants on arrival.

Sounds like a perfect Dogster jaunt.

Armchair travelers can click here:
http://www.kempinski.com/en/cairo/Pages/Welcome.aspx
http://www.nourelnil.com/beit-sabee-guesthouse.htm
http://www.nourelnil.com/itinerary.htm

As you see, it's not exactly <i>intrepid</i>. Pfft. I've done intrepid in Egypt. This time I'm not. Four Nubian lads have been hired to carry me around in a palanquin.

Then here:
http://www.wistanbul.com.tr/
'cos it's a very gro-o-o-oovy little hotel.

I should be warmed up by the time 'Connie' and I get acquainted.

We have a different definition of little, lol! 136 rooms isn't little in my book, maybe 13.

Good luck in Egypt, glad you got it worked out.

All the best Dogster. Await the story of your travels.

Jacket - I felt that Oceania was faux everything it was a bit of a wannabe. Both staff and passengers seemed pretentious to me. I know you are an X traveller but I find some of the passengers on X to be like that as well.

I do still love Regent and quite like Azamara. Both have the country club casual which I like.

Thanks for the reply. This will be our 1st time on X actually. Pretentious is not us so we shall see. Cheers, Larry :-)

Larry, this is the first time for you on X? I wouldn't have guessed! I'll be very curious now on your opinion after the cruise. Teh Constellation is a nice ship.

BTW, bring your coffee press. Their buffet coffee is better than Princess, but still has a way to go.

I heard about the coffee. rather than lug the press I'll just bring Starbucks Via packets and use their hot H2O.:-)

Larry, Not the same, and they don't have coffee cards like Princess ... you packet will taste like instant coffee. Just like me trying to cook soft boiled eggs with a thermal cup on the ship ... :D

With that said, enjoy the Turkish coffee while in Turkey. We just love to sit outside the cafe, open air, by the market (Bazzar), sipping Turksih coffee or Apple Tea, watching people and the world goes by.

Funny thing is, there is a Starbuck a block away and we didn't even consdier going there.

Actually I prefer Via to Starbucks brewed stuff. I know they don't have a coffee card but what surprises me is that their partner cruise line RCI has as free coffee a blend from Seattles Best called Royal CariBean which is pretty good. Don't know why X can't do that. I just don't feel like taking my French press and my own coffee but I've been known to change my mind B4. :D How is the Turkish coffee? I don't mind very strong but dude don't want to taste grounds man. :-)

Strain the grind with your teeth ... :D Always good to the last drop.

Make sure you asked for "traditional" coffee. BTW, I am not sure if you will be in Greece or not, DW preferred Greek coffee. But then, you have to make sure that they made it the traditional way with the traditional equipment. We were lucky that they had a set of equipment right in the hotel dining room and when we asked for the traditional coffeee, they made it right in front of us and showing us how to do it. We were pretty wired after drinking that stuff a couple times a day for 3 days straight :)

We will have two stops in Greece, Athens and Rhodos. I've had greek coffee here and actually its just too gritty for me. very close to where I work is Chicagos Greek town with a bunch of restaurants so I've tried it B4. Torkish I've never had so I gotta try it once. As luck would have it. there was a gal wooking here short term who is from IST and is there now and we plan to get together while there so hopefullu she can steer us to some authentic places for the real deal. :-) As for me though I enjoy coffee it seems to have lillte effect on me buzz wise. Iget more of a jolt from diet pepsi max.

Larry, Apple Tea is the other hot beverage you have to try while in Turkey.

OK. Sounds good. There's a place downtown Chi called the Russian Tea Room. They have their own blend of tea. Awesome stuff. Never had black tea that tasty.

I have been told that they drink more apple tea tahn regular tea or even soda ...

RIP, witty poster :(