Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1542189
Contact your local Viking travel advisor, call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ) or visit viking.com | 13 Q WHEN YOU THINK BACK ON FILMING THE EXPLORE TV EPISODES IN EGYPT, WHAT'S THE FIRST MOMENT THAT COMES TO MIND? Egypt isn't always top of mind for travellers, but as someone who has explored the world extensively, I knew what to expect. My team hadn't visited before, so seeing Egypt through their eyes—and working with our Viking Egyptologist—was incredible. I knew this journey would expand everyone's thinking. It all began in Cairo. The city's history is staggering — people have lived here for more than 5,000 years along the Nile, the world's longest river and the lifeblood of Egyptian culture. Cairo was everything we imagined and more. The sheer scale of its heritage blew everyone's mind. Then came Giza. Nothing prepares you for that first glimpse of the Pyramids. The wow factor is unforgettable—an impression that stays with you forever. Standing before these ancient wonders, you feel the weight of history and the brilliance of human achievement. We visited the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which is extraordinary—arguably the greatest museum in the world. Yet for me, the real magic lay in the older museums. They haven't changed for hundreds of years, and that's what I loved. Dusty, atmospheric, and steeped in character, they offer a raw, authentic insight into Egypt's past. Walking through those halls feels like stepping back in time, a stark contrast to GEM's polished modernity. These spaces tell the story of an ancient civilisation that still has so much to teach us. Q WHAT WERE YOU MOST SURPRISED ABOUT WHEN VISITING EGYPT? It's an incredible experience for any traveller. I've tried to explain this to friends since my first trip with Viking in 2024, but Egypt is unlike anywhere else. It's the only country I've visited with so many questions in my mind—and I left with even more unanswered. How did they build these structures with such precision? We couldn't replicate this level of accuracy today, even with modern technology. The depth of thinking they applied to everything is mind- blowing. The experience is life-changing for everyone I know who has visited. Q MANY OF THE TEMPLES AND PLACES YOU VISIT IN THE SERIES WERE DESIGNED AROUND LIGHT AND SHADOW DID THAT CHANGE HOW YOU EXPERIENCED THEM OR FILMED THEM? As a filmmaker, working in temples that are 5,000 years old simply blew my mind. My role is to share the experience and do it justice— and honestly, that was a challenge. There's so much happening as you walk in the footsteps of such a deep, ancient culture. Trying to show everything and explain the complex messages they left is almost impossible. Their story unfolds through hieroglyphics and carvings that reveal relationships with their people, their environment, and a profound understanding of the spiritual world. We've given a glimpse into something truly amazing, and I hope it inspires people to put Egypt at the top of their travel list. I can guarantee— it will be life-changing. Standing before these ancient wonders, you feel the weight of history and the brilliance of human achievement.