As with 'og' (see thread on DONE4 ex BKK) -many thanks from me as well for all the help from my fellow FTers in my purchase of an AONE4 from CAI.

I arrived in Cairo at 0245 - travelled from London via Athens on Olympic (free ticket). Despite the advice not to leave the airport but to 'turn left' and find the underpass, I got caught in the throng and ended up outside. No biggie however and walked along to the departures side.

Three hour wait under the 'orange' lamps, with a couple of security police hanging around. I walked to the BA ticket office and 'checked' the opening time just so the police knew I was waiting for BA. They seemed very unfussed.

Took a couple of trips to the small cafe for water and coffee. Everybody very pleasant. The toilets, as pointed out, were far from first-class!!

The BA office opened up at 6 exactly. Mrs Sobhil was not working, but my ticket was waiting - lots of smiles and I passed my regards to the BA staff for all their assistance. My ticket was also each sector is printed on a separate cards for each segment.

Through to the First Class lounge and departure of BA154 was on time. I had been up for 24 hours by this time, so skipped the food and beverages, waking about an hour from London for a plate of sandwiches (very dry) and some coffee (excellent). The crew were all very friendly, professional - leave you alone when you want, but are ready for a chat if you feel like it.

Champagne was Perrier Jouet 1990. The warmed baklava (as was reported by another FTer who took the flight a short while ago) was tasty.

The flying boat amenity kits are still out in force - waiting for everyone at their seat. PJs were not out, but were available on request.

Have to say - a fascinating mix of passengers in FC ex Cai!

So - many thanks once again for everyone's help. If you are about to travel to CAI for a RTW - it's not an unpleasant experience. If you already have your tickets, I'm not sure how the 'transit' facility works (some people have reported big problems), but the airside lounge and shops are relatively interesting for souvenir shopping.

Next stage is off to SIN/SYD/MEL on 13th.

Regards

WG

Although some here think it's a treasure, I've long suspected that the vendors of the little sample bottles of strange stuff in the Baag pay the airline to give it to prospective customers. The PJ's, BA has to buy. It's probably justified not handing them out on CAI-LHR since it's not an overnight, but our last BA long-haul was, and we also had to ask.

What a lovely English word this is.

That was a nice mini-trip report. I hope to stay in Cairo when I go because I haven't been but I am glad to see things are going smoothly.

I have 'done' Cairo a couple of times. I recommend the Intercontinental Pryramid Park Hotel. They have lovely huge rooms, great public areas and nice gardens (check out the web-site) for around USD60 for the double, including breakfast. As the name suggests, it's close to the Pyramids, but you can't see them from the hotel. There is a shuttle bus, three or four times daily, that drops you off at the Museum of the Anitquities. The hotel is great because you escape the dust, pollution and noise of Cairo.

The other alternative for accomm is the Mena House Oberoi, which sits right under the pyramids. We just went there for a drink, so can't comment on the rooms.

Regards

WG