Giza

What a wonderful day!   Since childhood I have dreamed of seeing the Pyramids of Giza and finally this has been fulfilled.

Our day started early and we soon realized that this allowed us to see the pyramids in the cool of the morning.  The pyramids were only 2 minutes away and we arrived as the gates opened at 0800.  The sun had just risen and was casting the pyramids in relief to a perfectly blue sky.

Words escape me in the description of these magnificent structures that sit in a desert under a scorching sun.  They truly strike one dumb!

Paul, Katie and I on our way to the entrance of the great Pyramid built for Cheops

Out tour included entrance to the great pyramid and we went in and climbed up a narrow tunnel with a low ceiling which led into the interior of the pyramid.  Then we climbed up the central shaft which had a soaring ceiling, all unadorned and showing the construction techniques of the building.  At the top of this area we had to crouch to get through a tunnel which was about 4 feet high and this gave access to the king's chamber.  It was astounding to think we were inside such a remarkable building built so many thousands of years ago!

We made our way to see a smaller tomb which was the resting place of a queen.  Again we were in close quarters but the climb was much shorter and went downward into the ground.

On my way downwards into the Queen's Pyramid

In the burial chamber in the Pyramid

During our visit we learned a lot about the very ancient history of the Egyptians, and topped it off with a ride on a camel...a strange and humbling experience.  I never imagined that sitting on a kneeling animal would require a ride to a standing position!  This is unnerving and feels very unstable!  Then the camel walks with an uneven gait that lurches along! I could not imagine doing it for long and couldn't help but marvel at those who traverse the desert on camel-back!

This was followed by a visit to the famous Sphinx which rises from deep within the desert itself.  It was also a majestic sight and as the sun was rising we could start to feel the heat. 

We bid goodbye to Giza and made our way for lunch, with obligatory stops at a perfume shop and a papyrus factory.

We then made our way to Memphis where we saw many remarkable artifacts which had been recovered from the site of this once bustling capitol city where Ramses II is celebrated.

Finally we visited Sakkara which is the location of the first pyramid which is known as the stepped pyramid.  This is the one that started it all when an architect so loved his pharoh that he wanted to create the grandest tomb.  His effort was the stepped pyramid.  It is very impressive and we were lucky to have a clear day where we could see this pyramid and also the great pyramids of Giza in the background.

Near this site we also went  to some tombs where the hieroglyphics are very lovely and still have original colours in evidence.