Kevin, @kevinwong I got excited seeing Egypt in your post title! Reading your first few lines I thought, hey, if you're accustomed to swanky class, then budget is the way to travel to get a new experience :) Then, again, I thought, it's Egypt--everything is budget!
Now, I see that you were time-travelling and I don't feel so bad I was not there to show you around. Yes, the desert is a must-see, only I'd recommend visiting by night (on horseback, or camel) and taking a tour of the pyramids by moonlight. Also, delighted to see picture of sail boat on the Nile, a dreamy way to cool off and take in your surroundings.
Thanks, for the virtual visit. Some things have changed (more crowded, primarily) but the desert, ruins, palm trees and myths are still intact :)
Looking forward to seeing more of your trip in the upcoming episodes!
PS - a pic from my last trip back Home, few months ago:
psst - Interesting tidbit, if this sort of things interests you: It is a common myth that the word assassin comes from the Arabic word haschishin for hashish user.