Despite being the youngest player by at least three years, and on international debut, Hughes finished sixth while his teammates were both last.
"I'm stoked as - Egypt's the best at Golf Croquet," he said.
"They are known to hit extremely hard and accurate."
The "hoops" used by the Egyptians were taller and harder than the New Zealand versions, necessitating more aggressive shot making, Hughes said.
There was also the small matter of the language barrier with no other Westerners taking part.
"It was pretty hard, we'd go out to tea with them and they all spoke Arabic."
But the biggest experience the young man on tour will remember was being in a bustling and at times demanding foreign culture.
No-one offered assistance out of courtesy - there was always a price, he said.
Many workers earn their living from tipping, even when unwanted, as Hughes discovered as he ducked into a museum bathroom.
"This guy sprayed my hands with soap, gave me a towel and expected a tip for it."
The young New Zealanders discovered just how bad the scams could be on their trip to the Pyramids.
Having paid to get inside the fence line to view the iconic structures, the tourists were beset by peddlers offering all sorts of trinkets.
A young boy tried to sell Hughes a mask, even waiting for him at the exit of the pyramid, so he eventually relented by agreeing to pay 50 Egyptian pounds with a 100-pound note.
Walking away with his change, Hughes saw teammate Baird-Gosling being told by their guide that the note he had got back from his own purchase was only worth a half-pound. "I looked in my wallet and, of course, I had the same."
Both lads chased down their fleecers, got the proper change back, but their experiences were nothing compared to a mortifying moment for teammate Rule - as a peddler literally shoved an item down her top and snatched money from her hand as if it had been a fair transaction.
Again the Kiwis complained, and this time the man was found and arrested.
Inside the Pyramids, the tourists are not allowed to take cameras, but when shown the Pharaoh's tomb a police officer offered to take a photo using their cellphones for - you guessed it - a tip.
Hughes was quite relieved to be heading home but found at Cairo's bustling airport that the lack of official staff meant he nearly got on the wrong aircraft.
It will be quite stately for him to return to normal play for the season's closing day at Wanganui Croquet Club this afternoon.
Looking to the future, Hughes has his eyes set on the North Island and National Championships next season.
He is also keen to keep hold of his place in the New Zealand under-21 squad.
He again thanked family, especially grandfather Murray McNae, for helping him reach that level, as well as the Wanganui Croquet Association along with the Rotary and Lions clubs in Wanganui for their financial assistance.
Hughes certainly has an entertaining story to tell the club members when he attends their meetings.
