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Published: June 26th 2017
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Geo: 30.0982, 31.2461
This morning we were heading to see the main reason for visiting Cairo, the Sphinx and the Pyramids at Giza. Although we had watched the Sound and Light show last night and can see them from the hotel it was exciting to be getting up close for the first time. We did not have far to go so got there just after 9am. Unfortunately the weather was very cold and foggy this morning and though the mist lent a mysterious air to the site it also restricted our panoramic view.We started at the largest pyramid that of Cheops. Up close the huge size of the blocks was visible and the height was certainly exaggerated. From there we drove past Kehfu, the next in size, to a viewing place where we could see all 3 main pyramids and the 3 smaller ones meant for the wives. From here you could believe you were in the middle of the desert as no signs of buildings etc are visible and there are many camels and their owners touting for custom.We took some photos but the visibility was poor.
We then drove back down to the Sphinx. This is smaller than I imagined
but is still 20 metres tall and 70 metres long. We walked through a funerary tomb to get up close and then could see all the details. They have done quite a bit of restoration work on the base.
We then headed out of Cairo to visit Memphis and Sakkara. Memphis was the old capital but there is very little there now. There is a small sphinx and the main highlight is a huge lying statue of Rameses 11 which is exquisite in its details though it is missing its legs. The next stop was Sakkara. This is very well presented with a dedicated area in the middle of a desert landscape. We went to the tombs and were able to climb down into one. This required bending double for a steep descent and then walking about 100 metres bent over to reach the burial chambers. The walls are decorated with very detailed hieroglyphics and the roof adorned with carved stars. Very impressive.
Across from this is another tomb belonging to a high official. The wall carvings in here are exquisite. The panels depict daily life along the Nile with impressive carvings of fish swimming in the Nile and also crocodiles
and hippos. There are fishermen, men dancing and farming. Amazing.
We then drove up to the original pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. This is being restored at the moment.
After lunch at a local restaurant we drove back to Giza. Life here in Egypt is obviously difficult at the moment. Mostafa spoke about the 30 years of Mubarack being why the divide between rich and poor is so wide. It is also disappointing to see the amount of rubbish lying along the roads and in middle of villages. The people themselves are all very clean and well presented but often their surroundings are not the same. Still every Egyptian we have met, even those trying to hassle us to buy souvenirs or postcards are very polite and friendly and are just trying to get by in difficult times. I wish they followed some road rules though!
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