Pyramids and the Sphinx

After a night at sea, we docked at Port Said in the wee hours of the morning to start the 3 hour bus ride to Cairo.  We were travelling in a convoy of 15 buses, had a spare bus "just in case," and each bus had an armed guard on board.  The goal was to make certain we felt safe, not that they anticipated any trouble.

Our guide, Hany, joined us for the ride and started a running commentary that lasted for the entire trip into Cairo.  A part time history professor, he had wonderful stories and insights into not only ancient Egypt but current day Egypt as well.  Now, ask me how much I remember - my brain was overflowing and much of it leaked out, I fear.  But he involved passengers on the bus in his stories and made Cleopatra come alive.  He also demonstrated, using a live model, how bodies were mummified - a very graphic lesson I'll not soon forget!

Upon arrival in Cairo, we went to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.  What a feast for the eyes!  The primary exhibit we viewed was the contents of King Tut's tomb, including two of the many sarcophagi protecting Tut's mummy.  There were also several papyrus scrolls that had been preserved.  Not only the writing but the embellishments on the papyrus were spectacular.  Photos weren't allowed in the museum so you'll have to search the internet for pictures of the treasures. 

Then it was time for a luncheon cruise on the Nile River.  During lunch, we were entertained by a Whirling Dervish and a belly dancer.  Both quite skilled in their respective acts, the Dervish encouraged some of the younger members of the group to try the whirling skirt part with interesting results.

A look up the Nile River.  We were escorted by a police boat for the entire cruise.

Not the best picture, but you get a sense of the size of the skirt that the Whirling Dervish kept in motion at all times.

 After lunch, it was on to the Giza Plateau, home of the pyramids and the Sphinx.  June and Julie opted to go on the camel ride and Joan headed into the tomb.  Although there was nothing to see inside the pyramid, just the experience of being INSIDE the pyramid was a thrill for Joan.  With my claustrophobia, I waited outside to see her emerge from the pyramid.

Joan emerging from Khafre's pyramid.  It is the one that still has a significant amount of the polished limestone exterior on the upper reaches of the pyramid.

June, Joan, me, and Julie in front of the Pyramid of Cheops.  You might be able to see that the top of this pyramid is flat - the cap stones having fallen (or been removed?) from the pyramid. 

It's all a matter of perspective - the Sphinx is much smaller than any of the pyramids.  It's actually not too far away from the three pyramids on the Giza plateau but it is down in elevation quite a bit.  You can see the stones around the Sphinx that come up almost as high as his body.

The city is built almost to the base of the pyramids and the Sphinx.  While they may have been quite a distance from the city at one time, they are now almost surrounded by urban development.

After our adventures at the Giza Plateau, it was back on the bus for the 3 hour ride to Alexandria.  Hany continued his commentary for much of the ride, but did take a rest as we neared Alexandria.  During the day, our ship had sailed from Port Said to Alexandria.  There was quite a bit of construction along the way.  The six lane highway was being doubled in size and housing additions dotted both sides of the highway - lots of land marked off for the development but not very many completed homes.

The sunset showing Alexandria in the background was absolutely stunning. 

Our tour of Egypt completed, we set sail for Crete.

Cheers!
Margaret