Tag Archives: egypt

Adventures by Disney: New Destinations for 2012

Earlier this year I wrapped up my look at the travel offerings of Adventures by Disney, the Mouse House’s vacation planning and tour organization. Now for 2012 AbD has added several new trip options to their list, most new tours of previously visited sites and one venturing to a new realm for the first time. The completely new destination now offered by AbD is Greece. The majority of the Greek trip focuses on the ancient country’s rich history: take a guided tour of the Pananthinaiko Olympic Stadium in Athens and hear stories while exploring the Acropolis. Travel to the oracle … Continue reading →

More Dream Trips for Kids

If you have a Harry Potter fan in your home and haven’t solidified your summer travel plans—–stop what you are doing. I just found the ultimate getaway for kids (and their parents) who are fascinated with the boy wizard. Never mind about Universal Orlando Resort’s new Harry Potter theme park that I detailed in a previous blog. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is not scheduled to open at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park until late next. In the meantime why not embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the places that inspired the Potter series? The seven-night trip takes … Continue reading →

Tomb of the Golden Bird – Elizabeth Peters

I did it! I have now read the entire eighteen-book Amelia Peabody series, and while I don’t know if there’s another installment, I’m all set to read it if one were to come out. “The Tomb of the Golden Bird” revolves around the finding of the tomb of the great King Tut by Carter, and not by Emerson. What a harsh blow to the ego that was for our favorite Egyptologist. He’s been on the wrong side of the men in charge of assigning archaeological sites for quite a while, and spent a good deal of time banned from the … Continue reading →

The Serpent on the Crown – Elizabeth Peters

Neither Emerson nor Amelia have ever been able to abide hysterical females, although Emerson and Ramses both feel a gentlemanly sense of obligation to assist them out of their hysteria. When the dramatic and yes, hysterical, Mrs. Petherick approaches the family and tells them of a black afrit (spirit) who stole the life of her husband and is now trying to kill her, they find her story interesting but aren’t inclined to believe her. What does hold their fascination is a solid gold statue she gives into their care, telling them she believes the statue is cursed, and if she … Continue reading →

Guardian of the Horizon – Elizabeth Peters

As we’ve gone through the Amelia Peabody series volume by volume, we’ve occasionally seen gaps from one book to the next, where the “editor” says that certain volumes of Amelia’s journals have gone missing. In “Guardian of the Horizon,” we are informed that one of those missing journals has been recovered, and we are given the story contained in that journal in this book. I’m not sure why Elizabeth Peters chose to do this – perhaps she came up with the idea for the plot afterward and decided to come back and interject it, who knows – but this volume … Continue reading →

The Golden One – Elizabeth Peters

As we begin “The Golden One,” World War I is ramping up. Submarine attacks are becoming more and more common, and the Emersons are torn between staying at home in England and making their yearly journey to Egypt. They aren’t torn for long, however – the lure of sun and sand, not to mention the possibility of undiscovered tombs and treasure – makes the decision an easy one. Emerson, Amelia, Ramses, Nefret, and Sennia set off for the land of the Pharaohs, leaving David and Lia behind in England with Walter and Evelyn. It’s just as well – Lia is … Continue reading →

The Lord of the Silent – Elizabeth Peters

As we continue the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, our path leads us to “The Lord of the Silent.” World War I is still raging, making travel between England and Egypt more difficult. This, however, does not stop the Emersons from their yearly gallivant in the tombs. Emerson is as keen as ever to get on with his beloved occupation, and Amelia is no less excited to help him. However, a different type of danger lurks for Ramses. He served his country as a double agent in our last adventure, and there are those who know his true identity. … Continue reading →

He Shall Thunder in the Sky – Elizabeth Peters

You would think that a book series with so many installments, featuring the same characters over and over again, would get boring at some point. Many do, but not the Amelia Peabody series. Even though the setting in each is essentially the same (archaeologist family gets involved in illegal doings and has to bring the criminal to justice, all the while finding new tombs and digging them out) the plots from book to book differ enough to make each one a thrilling masterpiece. When last we saw the Emersons, Nefret had just been through a difficult experience and was sent … Continue reading →

The Falcon at the Portal – Elizabeth Peters

The Emerson clan has a reason to celebrate – Walter and Evelyn’s daughter, Lia, is going to marry David Todros, the young Egyptian Emerson and Amelia brought home with them during an earlier adventure. While it took a little time for the couple to overcome the objections of the family, they were finally victorious, and “The Falcon at the Portal” begins with the wedding. David and Lia head off on their honeymoon, leaving things decidedly more quiet around the Emerson household, until an old friend of Emerson’s shows up at the house with a forged antique scarab and the alarming … Continue reading →

Leaving Egypt Every Day

According to the Torah, every day every person should feel as if he or she has left Egypt. The Jewish people escaped from slavery thousands of years ago to serve Hashem and to travel to the Promised Land. What does this event or series of events have to do with our lives in 2007? The Hebrew word from Egypt, Mitzraim, is also related to the word meaning boundaries or constrictions. Every day, we face challenges to our spiritual life. Just having to work 9 to 5 (or like me, at all hours, off and on) seems like an obstacle to … Continue reading →