While we were in Cairo, we stayed at the Helnan Shepherd, a five-star hotel right on the Nile itself. This photo was taken after we got back from the Nile Admiral Cruise, the day before we left for home, but I'm putting it here because -- darn it -- that's a good shot of Cairo around the Nile.

One of the things I learned this trip was how the hotels seem to shift the stars' meaning from country to country. For example, when you think five-star, chances are you're imagining someplace so fabulous and well-served that you couldn't believe it.

That isn't quite how it works in Egypt. There, five stars mean: the rooms are clean; the beds get made; the records are computerized; they take most credit cards; you won't get food poisoning at the hotel's restaurants; and someone will take your bags up to your room for you.

Ceej said the decor reminded her of some places in Eastern Europe -- old and just this side of usable, with a lot of quaint, aging decor that is cleaned but never totally spotless. I liked it, myself.