Hunter woke up around 4am to check flight loads again in case we needed to take a different route, but our plan of taking Lufthansa at 1pm to Munich and then onto Cairo was still looking strong, so we went back to bed till around 8am. We got dressed and ready for the day then headed for a quick breakfast at the McDonald's a few blocks from our Hotel. They have much higher quality ingredients here, it was very delicious. We both got double sausage egg McMuffins. After breakfast, we returned to our hotel, finished packing up a few last items, and then headed to the airport.
The hotel was having issues with their security screen deploying
We were able to get mobile boarding passes so we didn't have to stop and see an agent. We cleared security and passport control, then checked if we had been assigned a gate yet. In many European and general overseas airports, gates aren't planned until 50 minutes prior to departure and when they call last call, they aren't joking around! Since we arrived early, which was great as the lines were pretty long, we had time to stop at a priority pass restaurant! We don't normally fly from T2 at Heathrow (its Star Alliance and we work for a SkyTeam airline and previously mostly flew AA/BA), so we have never had this option. It was your typical bar food, but regardless it was nice to have a free meal before our flight.
Funny knife for a restaurant serving steak
Hunter's fish and chips
Stormy's Quesadilla
After eating we went to the main area to wait until our gate was assigned, which just so happened to be right across from where we were sitting. We headed over there and the app updated with our seat assignments shortly after! It was surprising, as we expected to be waiting last minute for our names to be called. Hunter and I happily boarded, however, we were stopped and made to check our roller bags since they were "too heavy" for the cabin at 11 and 13kg each. Since we didn't know if we would make the flight to Cairo, we just had them checked to Munich where we planned to get them and then try and take them in the cabin on our next flight.
Hunter and I weren't able to be seated together, but He was 29D and I was 32C, so not too far away. The flight was only 2 hours anyways so it wasn't the end of the world. We both took a small nap on the flight and arrived before we knew it.
When we arrived in Munich we followed the signs for baggage claim, and unfortunately had to clear customs as there was no international transit option, this meant another stamp in our passports. Mine is getting pretty full these days and soon I might need a new one. I still have 5 years left, so hopefully, I can make it without needing an extension. Luckily Hunter got the expanded size passport on his recent renewal so he has a lot of pages. We got our bags, which happened to be the first out, and proceeded to go back through security. This time we didn't get an automatic boarding pass so we stopped at a kiosk where we were able to get them printed. Security here was empty and quiet. It felt like the airport had shut down! We made it through in no time.
After looking around the main area at food and shopping options, we decided to get this meal deal that sounded good. 3 sausages, a pretzel, and a drink for €15. It was definitely not what we were expecting when we saw it served to us, but it was well-flavored and tasty. The sausage was white and floating in hot water with little flecks of some herb. I think this was a traditional German presentation and less of the Costco sausages we are used to. I'm glad we experienced it as we try to eat authentically while traveling. I probably would not order it again, however.
We had some time to kill as our flight wasn't for another 4 hours, so we took our time with eating and then headed towards our gate where we plugged in our tech and waited. I took a short nap as well. An hour prior to boarding we headed to our gate and checked in at the counter when an agent arrived. He told us that the flight looked great and to board with our seat request cards in group 5. A short time later the flight started boarding and it was a rush around the gate. We joined in with the crowd so we could ensure overhead bin space and keep our carry-ons with us. We easily made it through the ticket scanners and onto the plane in seats 20B and 20C!
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Stormy powered down
Our A321neo was brand new but looked so small
Waiting to board our flight
We quickly took off and started the 4-hour flight to Cairo. This is so so exciting as we finally get to cross off our 6th and last inhabited continent (Antarctica here we come?)! The start of the flight was pretty bumpy and service ended up being suspended for the first half. During the second half, once it calmed down a bit, they did a quick snack and drink service which included a veggie sandwich and I had sprite while Hunter had sparkling water. Hunter and I played a game on my phone and then waited till arrival.
First glimpses of Cairo
Once we landed we deplaned and followed signs to passport control. We had to stop just before passport control at the bank to purchase our visa on arrival which was $25 each for a sticker that went into our passport taking up a whole page. Mine was put over my Thailand and Netherlands stamps and Hunter's ended up being torn by the customs agent who slapped it onto a random page.
We followed signs out to baggage claim and then towards our hotel Le Meridien which is connected to the airport. After a quick walk and a luggage checkpoint and we were at the front desk. We were upgraded to a suite on the second floor and wow was it amazing!
Since it was already 330 am we quickly showered and went to sleep. Breakfast had to be eaten before 10am so we set an alarm for 830 and quickly went to sleep. We're so happy to get to explore this amazing world and this amazing country of Egypt.
Saturday November 5, 2022
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