Okay, so I realize that it is shameful that I have not posted since December. Please be assured that I am fine and well and still in Egypt. I have not become complacent either. I still love this country and the more I see of it the stronger my affection becomes. What it comes down to is that I am lazy and have been posting to Facebook rather than here. Anyway, I am back. An end of December, early January holiday took me to Siwa Oasis with some friends. My colleagues, Montse and Jordi, and myself met our guides Ahmed and Essam in Bahariya to then travel across a little used road through military patrolled territory for the six hour trip to Siwa. Permits required. Zero traffic.We arrived in Siwa early evening and checked into the Siwa Gardens Hotel tucked in the palm groves and complete with its own natural spring fed pool. This place was a splurge for us at US$50/night half board, which means it includes a lovely breakfast and solid evening meal. Although it was mere hours I think that we actually got a taste of what the early traders, Roman or otherwise, had experienced arriving at Siwa after the desert trek. It was like arriving in paradise.