The Grand Courlan is a slightly faded 4 star hotel in Tobago. The friendly staff more than make up for the cracks in the paintwork. One of the highlights of the day for me was breakfast. Not only was the food good, but the open layout of the restaurant above the pool and gardens really attracted the local bird life. They flew in and out and balanced on the rafters and they also came down and sat at your table. These birds were not shy. We managed to get a range of birds to eat at the table with us. Once people got up and walked away there was a veritable invasion for pieces of fruit, milk, sugar and anything else that could be snuck away. Our favourite was the Bananquit a small yellow and brown bird. The dutch word for this bird is sugar thief – they were certainly that.

Luxor is one of our favourite places and we just love going round the town shopping. There is a fabulous market and you can get all sorts of things from spices to carpets. Inevitably after a couple of hours shopping we like to stop for a beer. Beer is only served in hotels becuase it is a moslem country. We were glad to find a very entrepreneurial cafe owner right in the middle of town. We asled if he sold beer and he winked and suggested we take a seat. He then arrived with a tea pot. Despite our protestations, he served up the tea, which turned out to be ice cold beer. He looked round and explained that on one corner of the square there was a mosque and on the other was the police station, so he had to be careful!

A super relaxing excursion  to take is  a felucca ride at sunset on the Nile. You can do this in Luxor or Aswan. Get yourself a couple of beers, some crisps or nuts your camera and find a felucca. This method of transportation has been the same since the time of the pharoes. It is wonderful to see how they get the sails and catch the wind. There is a relaxing swish,  the crack of rope on wood as they adjust the sail and not much else. It is fabulous to watch the peaceful scenes of the river bank and the diving pied kingfishers who will be performing all around you.

If you want something more energetic hire a bicycle in the early morning and take a ride out into the countryside around Luxor. This is a great way to see genuine Egyptian village life and make lots of friends. My favourite journey is north along the Nile till you come to the bridge, cross the bridge and then come back through the villages on the west bank until you reach the ferry. Pop your bike on the ferry and sail across to the centre of town, then its back to the hotel - probably 10 miles round trip. Its great morning exercise.