Arrived in Alexandria

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Today was a pretty relaxed day. We took the train from Cairo to Alexandria. upon arrival we took a bus tour through part of the city. Stopped to photograph the citadel then on to a seafood restaurant for lunch.

Alexandria is much smaller than Cairo, only 5 million population and at first look seems to be cleaner.

It was founded in 331 BC by 25-year-old Alexander the Great. Where the citadel stands now, was a towering Pharos lighthouse, marking the ancient harbour's entrance. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and its Great Library was considered the archive of ancient knowledge. Unfortunately, the Pharos collapsed and the Great Library was torched. Part of the ancient city disappeared under the sea and part under the modern city, so there are few visible remains of the glorious past.

Our hotel is right on the seaside. The view is magnificent. I went swimming in the Mediterranean for the first time today. The water was much warmer than I expected.

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