Cairo

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Cairo was the tenth stop on the Around the World trip. The group stayed at the Nile Hilton. It was a new hotel then, with a gallery of clothing and other shops as one entered. The hotel was preparing for the arrival of a delegation to Egypt of leaders from emerging African nations.

We had a city tour of Cairo, including the Citadel and a view out over Old Cairo. A highlight was the the Egyptian Museum. I certainly enjoyed seeing the many Egyptian antiquities displayed there. We went to Giza to view the pyramids and the Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most iconic structures in the world. Standing 454 feet (139 m) the age of the pyramid has been disputed over the years. Generally it is attributed to Khufu and estimated to have been built ca. 2700 BCE. The companion Great Sphinx date to the reign of Khafre (ca.  2558–2532 BCE). In Giza I climbed up the Great Pyramid to the entrance and also rode a camel.

"Memphis and its Necropolis--the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur" was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

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Photos

Sphinx and Pyramid of Khafre
The Great Sphinx and Pyramid of Khafre at Ghiza, Egypt, 1963.
"The Second Pyramid, called by the Egyptians Wer-Khefrē ('Great is Khefrē'). was erected by Khefrē, who was called Khephren by the Greeks. Owing to the greater height of the rock plateau on which it stands, it appears higher than its larger neighbour. The perpendicular height of this Pyramid is now 447 1/2 ft. (originally 471 ft.), each side of the base measures 690 1/2 ft. (originally 707 3/4 ft.), and the height of each sloping side is 563 1/2 ft. (originally 572 1/2 ft.), while the sides rise at an angle of 52°20'".==Baedeker 1914
"The Sphinx, which next to the Pyramids themselves is the most famous monument in this vast burial-ground, is hewn out of the natural rock and, with some aid from added blocks of stone, has been moulded into the shape of a recumbent lion with the head of a king wearing the royal head-cloth, adorned with the royal serpent. Originally it was probably a natural rock which from a distance somewhat resembled a lion. It was no doubt the workmen engaged in building the tomb of Khephren who improved this resemblance with the help of blocks of stone and carved the face in the likeness of Khephren".--Baedeker 1914
Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Great Pyramid of Giza
Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Great Pyramid was probably built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) over an approximately 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. Visible is the main entrance to the pyramid. Its present height is 138.8 metres (455.4 ft).
"The Great Pyramid is called by the Egyptians 'Yekhet Khufu' or the Glorious Place of Khufu and was built by Kheops, the Khufu of the Egyptians. The outermost covering has now disappeared, except for insignificant fragments on the base below the entrance. The length of each side is now 746 ft., but was formerly about 756 ft.; the present perpendicular height is 450 ft., while originally, including the nucleus of rock at the bottom and the apex, which has now disappeared, it is said to have been 481 ft."--Baedeker 1914
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Great Pyramid of Giza
Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu). Visible is the main entrance to the pyramid. Its present height is 138.8 metres (455.4 ft). View showing the height and relative size of people.
"The Great Pyramid is called by the Egyptians 'Yekhet Khufu' or the Glorious Place of Khufu and was built by Kheops, the Khufu of the Egyptians. The outermost covering has now disappeared, except for insignificant fragments on the base below the entrance. The length of each side is now 746 ft., but was formerly about 756 ft.; the present perpendicular height is 450 ft., while originally, including the nucleus of rock at the bottom and the apex, which has now disappeared, it is said to have been 481 ft."--Baedeker 1914
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Camel Ride in Giza
Riding camels in Giza before visiting the pyramids, 1963.
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Sultan Hassan Mosque
Sultan Hassan Mosque and Rifai Mosque in Cairo. View from the Citadel.
"Gâmi' Sultân Hasan, the 'superb mosque', and the finest existing monument of Egypto-Arabian architecture. It was built in 1356-59 for Sultan Hasan, perhaps by a Syrian architect, and has been restored by Herz-Pasha. The huge proportions of the building, which occupies a shelving rock below the citadel, taken in conjunction with the masterly execution of its details, produce an effect of great majesty".--Baedeker 1914
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Nile Hilton
Postcard of the Nile Hilton, Cairo. Opened in 1959.
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