Katy Perry likes to travel. If I had her money, I would travel a lot too, but I’m always surprised by how few rich people really do spend their money exploring the world. Katy turned 35 years old on October 25th. She didn’t do some Instagram-binge of decadent LA parties. No, Katy did something a bit different, but still decadent in its own way: she spent a good chunk of change to fly 64 friends and family members to Egpyt for an all-expenses-paid ten-day vacation.
Katy Perry celebrated her 35th birthday with a romantic trip to Egypt — cruising down the Nile, riding camels through the desert and watching the sun rise over the Pyramids with her fiancé Orlando Bloom and more than 60 friends. The “Teenage Dream” singer went all out as she took 64 pals on a 10-day trip during which her BFF Markus Molinari posted a photo slideshow titled “How to build a powerful bond in 10 days.”
Molinari revealed in a lengthy caption: “Get 64 people hand picked by a musical goddess Katy Perry to live on a boat down the Nile with only ONE request.” The request? “That each of us step out of our comfort zones and for every meal sit with someone different.”
The group, that also included actress Shannon Woodward, Perry’s stylist Jamie Schneider and hubby Nico Mizrahi, alongside designer Johnny Wujek and even Bloom’s mom Sonia Copeland – who posted a photo of the actor in the desert – were given a private tour of the Valley of the Moons and the Pyramids. They also took in the Sphinx, guided by famed archaeologist and Egyptologist Zahi Hawass.
I could see going on a special 10-day trip with your fiance and a core group of four to a dozen friends. But 64-65 people? All traipsing through Giza? That’s just a logistical nightmare and it would stress me out on my birthday. For my birthday a few months ago, all I wanted was peace and quiet and for no one to put their g–damn drama on me for one whole day (I got that). I can’t imagine trying to organize this big contingent on my birthday. But Katy is just built differently. Because chica is a f–king Scorpio. All of that drama was probably her birthday present to herself.
Also: I looked at Markus Molinari’s Instagram posts about the Egypt trip and I swear to God, it looks like someone is trying to modernize some of those old Agatha Christie mysteries. Death on the Nile? Appointment with Death? But you know me, I love a good Agatha Christie adaptation.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and Instagram.
She’s looking good these days!
I was just thinking that if OB had not been standing next to her, I would not have known who she was. She looks good – for her – but she also kind of looks like a slightly wealthy suburban New Jersey mom whose peloton name is WillSpinForWine.
^^^omg, Haha! 😂🤣👍
Nailed it. LOL
I think both Katy and Orlando look better together than they did apart if that makes sense. Both of them seem to be in a happy place.
Okay, show of hands… how many of you actually have more than, let’s say, 5 people you could spend 10 days with and not want to kill someone and bury them in the desert???
I think the question should be, how many will you come back with at the end of the 10 day trip.
I think the question is, how many have 64 people they are close enough with to invite on a trip like this?
I feel so much better. I thought I was just crazy! (Maybe I could handle 64 better than 5??)
Katy is also a multi-millionaire who has people who handle all the logistics for her. She just had to show up with her friends and family.
lolz right? I was also thinking, what drama? It’s not like she is doing all the coordination with 60 people, she is probably paying someone for this job.
Exactly. They organized this like it was a tour.
If I had that bankroll, I would do the same thing.
I think it was a unique, wonderful and generous thing to do. She can afford it so why not? It’s been 35 years since I visited Egypt but I have fond memories. I’d always thought the outer surface of the pyramids was smooth, but I was mistaken. Very cool. And it’s the only time I’ve ever ridden on the back of a camel.
I agree; I really like the idea! And I’m sure as others have commented that she had someone handle the logistics.
My older daughter and her husband spent 10 days in Egypt not long ago.
They loved it. I hated it. It’s not the safest place to be American or female but they made it home about a week or so before someone blew up a bunch of Vietnamese tourists just outside the pyramids.
Me: “Why can’t you two go somewhere NORMAL like France or Italy??? You always go somewhere weird! Patagonia?? Now you’re just messing with me.”
Anyhoo, Katy is rich and I’m sure she just told a bunch of people, “Let’s go to Egypt for my birthday!” and they made it happen and they probably had a herd of security personnel.
I mean 249 people have been killed in France since I think 2015 due to terrorist attacks so let’s not generalise about places…
I know and I’m not but Paris isn’t all France has to offer. Also, I’ve traveled the world including the Middle East. I’ll take France.
I will trade you places. You can chill at my house w my husband who I can’t get to go out for dinner, much less a trip! I will stay in a separate room lol.
Why is it bad to be American and female in Egypt? I ask because I want to go to Egypt badly. I am about to get Canadian citizenship as well. When I do travel there, shall I travel on a Canadian passport rather than an American one?
hi! my sister went to egypt alone a few years ago, and yes you should be a bit careful, try and travel with an agency (not on your own). By careful I mean, you need to mind the way you dress, and not be alone in certain places; as I mentioned; my sister did this alone, and even though it wasn’t as “easy” as to be travelling in europe, still it was an amazing place and for her it was one of the most beautiful places she’s ever been. good luck!
@Paz Would it be better if I traveled with a white male friend? Would it be advised I wear a hajib?
OH well, of course if you go with a male companion is much better (that sounds so wrong right? but that’s reality), as I remember she mainly used baggy clothes, and of course if you cover you head I don’t think its going to hurt, but I do remember she mentioned her clothes, nothing revealing.
I mentioned the agency because it’s a very different country so might as well, in her case she was accompanied the whole time with the travel agents (2 muslim guys) and she also learned a lot from them, because of course we all have our own biases, and they were aware of that so they made sure to make her feel as confortable and safe as they could.
They have all woman tour groups. I have a friend who went with an mixed group while in school and then an all woman later. She recommended the all women group (unless you have a man you want to travel with, of course). She said it was friendly, the tour guide handled everything smoothly and things seemed to go better on the meeting people end as well. There were also excursions to all-woman Egyptian events (and a home visit) where the women were very interested to talk with them.
I missed the school trip because I got sick at the last minute. I would still love to go and think I would definitely look into an all woman trip if I do go.
@Andrea I travelled in Egypt as a single woman but in a small tour group of about 8 men and women. That was ideal in that it was geared for adventure/off the beaten path travel (but pre-organized) and because as a light haired VERY pale woman I stuck out like a sore thumb and the group provided a level of support and security. To be honest? The attention can get tiresome (it gave me a new level of empathy for visible minorities!) and you do have to be vigilant. The group/travelling partners deflects some of that. No need to wear a hijab, people there are fully aware you’re not Muslim and 99.9% could not care less. I’d only change that up if for some reason you’re entering a mosque (not likely). I’d recommend modest dress (something covering your knees and elbows), partly out of respect for the culture and partly because (and this may not apply depending on your ethnicity) the sun there is fierce! My modest style saved me from some nasty sunburns!
It was an amazing experience overall. Study up and perhaps look into a good travel group(I can recommend Intrepid). Safe travels!
I’ve been to Egypt twice. I got groped in Cairo and I was with my boyfriend at the time. I went to El Gouna, a small resort town, and had no problems. Hurghada Egypt is a slightly larger resourt town, and a fellow female traveler told me she was getting harassed there. I adore Egypt and would go back, but yes, I would not travel alone and avoid the Sinai, that is genuinely dangerous.
Not sure if this is your intention but “normal” is reading as “white”. The “weird” places they’ve visited (Egypt, Patagonia) are countries with majority non-white populations while the “normal” places (France, Italy) are majority white.
I think you have some unconscious biases that need re-analyzing. Having traveled to all of the places you’ve mentioned as a white, american female, I felt most threatened late at night in Rome. I found Patagonia to be a wonderful and welcoming place, personally.
Okay. That’s been your experiences and, no, I don’t blend in very well in some places, hence, the scarves.
I’ve been shot at, bombed, had people try to run me down in the street and an Indian gentleman told me I couldn’t smoke in front of his business because I’d be shot but I was welcome to smoke in the conference room and he brought me a Pepsi in a can with a crystal glass because I guess Americans love Pepsi. I do like Pepsi.
See, I HAVE traveled and my daughter is “whiter” – that’s kind of racist btw -than I am, so, I lent her my long scarves and as stated, they had a good time – safely.
My husband was sent to Italy for 4 months. Someone broke into his rental car just to steal his rain jacket. I’d still prefer France and Italy for my girl and did you read the part about the Vietnamese tourists who were killed???
You’re crazy if you think every country/place is safe for every person.
Ouf. This is really problematic. There’s an amazing world beyond rich western countries. MENA countries are incredible. Egypt is wonderful (and note to all: there are awesome clubs in Cairo, so they may well have gone clubbing too). Egypt is perfectly safe for western women.
Patagonia is one of the most incredible places on earth and should absolutely be visited. It is not in any way unsafe. I am kind of gobsmacked by this attitude.
Signed, an Australian woman who has lived in a bunch of developing nations and in countries in the Middle East, in South America, in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe and who is better for it and very much still alive.
@Nancypants Patagonia is fine. It’s ultra-trendy now. I have friends that went. It’s the new mecca for all the trendy outdoorsy hiker types. Patagonia is basically the new Peru or Iceland.
Thank you.
They went to Iceland last year and I’m really okay with Patagonia and Chile …maybe Argentina but not Venezulea or Mexico right now.
I’m not allowed to go to Cuba but I’d like to visit and I wouldn’t want her to go there either. Oh well.
I lived near Juarez and many times the US military was banned from going there.
That’s pretty substantial. Many parts of Mexico are dangerous now like Alcapulco. That used to be a major destination.
My girl and her husband make a good living but we give them money and stuff for their trips.
I just want them to be safe and if you took a poll, I think a LOT of people would put France, Italy, England , Ireland (They’ve been to England and Ireland) Canada, Germany, Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand at the top of their lists.
I’d rather they go there but it doesn’t matter.
She’s mine.
She does what she wants to do and it’s different when it’s YOUR kid.
Orlando has lost his looks. He looks really old. Katy’s career is over so why not travel the world
I don’t even know 65 people.
Hah! +1
I would say I know at least 65 people….but do I LIKE 65 people? God no! 😉
I could get at least 40 or 50 people if I got her level of rich together for a birthday. Most of them are in NC and I met them in college/graduate school and really like their company over anyone I have met in Toronto.
Oooh there was a world Egyptologist convention there that week. That would be the week to go! Everyone you’d bump into would be experts and a wealth of information.
Misha Nonoo posted pics in Egypt this weekend – coincidence? Maybe Duchess Meghan was secretly among the 64? Previously Harry barefoot bonded with Katy & Orlando in Italy… So many questions, so little coffee.
Or this could have been a secret wedding…
Ooh! I like that theory!
Her team of assistants pulled this off, not her. But it’s nice and generous of her…for me personally too many people.
I’m rewatching all the Marples on Hulu right now. Bliss.
No wonder her and Russell Brand didn’t work out–she is a Scorpio and he is a Gemini. My parents are same signs (dad Scorpio, mom Gemini) and they fight like two cats. They have never gotten along. Orlando is a Capricorn–a better match for her.
Honestly, if I had the money… I would LOVE to take my friends to different places with me. Give them a break, we all enjoy ourselves.
How did they manage to coordinate the schedules of 64 friends and family to pull this off? Unless it’s a wedding I don’t get it. I have managed girls’ weekend trips with up to 6 of us and a family trip with 11 joining in. But that’s it. 64 must be a destination wedding!
My mom did exactly this for her 69th, except it was just my sister, my husband, and me. And it was AMAZING. Egypt is stunning, the people were amazing – we went on a very small tour on a sailboat with a classics professor as a guide. Unbeknownst to us (we started our tour in Giza/Cairo and ended in Luxor), the uprising started and hit peak the day we landed back in Boston. The Egyptians depend on tourism and it’s great people are going there again.
Here comes my shallow comment….I do not like that shade of yellow blonde hair on anybody over 10 years old.
Now, she has a ton of $$, go travel. I would.
Be nice if she also donated that huge cost to any charity. Go ahead, donate, make it public if you want to, but donate.
OB looks like a very tired, low cost version of E. Flynn, he always has to me.
If they are happy..more power to them.
Egypt has been devestated by lessoned tourism. Her taking a big group I am sure helped many people in Egypt. Also Egypt is a gorgeous country and I am sure it was the trip of a lifetime for many of her friends.
This scorpio celebrating her birthday today would not enjoy the drama of 64 people and in fact requested that all drama be kept from her.
but if I had enough money to pay someone else to handle any drama and all logistics, then I could probably embrace the hell out of this trip.
OMG Agatha Christie was the first thing I thought about. She looks just like Emily Blunt in the David Suchet version.
I hope someone is writing the fanfic version of this and I just might if nobody else does.
Starting the night after the 2016 election, I watched all of Poirot, in order. I swear David Suchet kept me sane. Amazing how all the British actors we know now showed up. Except Hiddleston. I kept waiting for him to show up. I’m tempted to ask if I ever meet him, but if he blew the audition, it might not be the best to bring it up. (Grin)