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Pamelahawthorne

The Tip of Chilean Patagonia: Formidable, Spectacular Torres del Paine

Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile became a favorite within minutes of arriving. A park with everything hikers like me dream about. Narrow but stunning valleys that separate hypnotic geological features, glaciers, and lakes of impossible shades of blue. In fact, Paine means “blue” in the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language.and is pronounced PIE-neh. Torres del Paine National Park, located in the extreme south of Chilean Patagonia, is world-renowned for its spectacular views, formidable mountain ranges. And …

Doorway to the Afterlife: Egypt’s Magical Eye of Horus

Among the many wonders I encountered on my recent trip to Egypt, the Eye of Horus was a symbol that seemed to follow me everywhere. Whether exploring grand temples, browsing local markets, or marveling at ancient artifacts, this mystical emblem was a constant presence. The Eye of Horus, also known as Wedjat or Udjat, comes from ancient Egyptian mythology. It is linked to Horus, the falcon-headed god associated with the …

Cairo’s City of the Dead: Where Life and Death Embrace

It is a curiosity, in stark contrast with the upscale metropolis of posh hotels and casinos in “new Cairo.” The narrow, unpaved streets of the City of the Dead wind between the tombs and family mausoleums along a 4 mile long Islamic necropolis. At the base Egypt’s Mokattam Mountain, located about 3 miles from Cairo’s lively downtown, the “City of the Dead ” is an ancient collection of pantheons, family …

The One and Only GEM: First Look at the Grand Egyptian Museum

The winner, besting 1,557 competitors from 82 countries, was the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects who was tasked to create the world’s most impressive, ethically responsible and sustainable museum in order to house, display and preserve tens of thousands of ancient Egyptian treasures. Twenty years in the making, it is now complete. The $1 billion project comprises nearly half a million square feet of exhibition halls housing 100,000 objects. The …

The Boy Who Discovered Egypt’s Greatest Pharaoh’s Tomb

This story is epic “Indiana Jones” with hidden treasure, unsolved mysteries, international intrigue, romance, stolen artifacts and a movie set astonishing to even the most jaded viewer. At its heart, a young Egyptian boy with a secret and a couple of ambitious, even greedy explorers willing to listen. The two temples of Abu Simbel located in Southern Egypt, at the second cataract of the Nile, close to the Sudanese border were built …

From Aphrodisiac to Mummification: Explore Egypt’s Rarest Essential Oils

Essential oils are part of our culture…used in aromatherapy sessions, relaxation techniques, in massage therapy, for holistic medicinal purposes, in yoga studios and an expansive range of cosmetics, perfumes and skincare. And as a lifelong scent devotee…I found Egypt a mecca for magnificent essential oils which, as I write this, scent my home with rich and complex fragrances. My recommendations are at the end of this post. The Ancient Egyptians …