Another good day begins.
Buffet breakfast. I try Turkish coffee. Don't like it. Tastes like mud. Dropped off some laundry.
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| Can see the Great Pyramid while walking to the main building |
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Buffet breakfast
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The
PYRAMIDS epitomize ancient Egypt. However, there are over 80 pyramids spread over the desert, from the outskirts of Cairo to the edge of the Fayoum. It was the IV Dynasty that got us a sheer sided true pyramid. Their function has been questioned by many over the years but now archaeologists agree that the pyramids' function was to preserve the pharaoh's ka or double-the vital force which emanated from the sun god to his son, the king who distributed it to his subjects and the land of Egypt itself. Mummification, funerary rituals, false doors for his ba/soul to escape, model servants, and anniversary offerings were all designed to ensure that his ka enjoyed an afterlife similar to its former existence. It took thousands several decades to complete the Great Pyramid of Cheops.
Today we visit the
GIZA PLATEAU. Around 2600 BC the Giza Plateau became the burial ground for Memphis, then the capital of Egypt. In less than a century during the Old Kingdom three successive generations built the 3 great pyramids. Of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world only the Pyramids of Giza have withstood the ravages of time. They resemble small triangles from afar. Climbing the pyramids is forbidden. And even though we could walk there from our hotel Adel is here at 8:00 am to pick us up. Mustafa is our guide again. Not only will we see the Pyramids but we have tickets to enter the 2 that are open for that. Admission fee for the Giza Pyramids is 60 LE per person but our trip includes all admission fees, etc. There is only a scattering of tourists here. Since Mubarak stepped down tourism is about a third of what it normally is. Good for us but not for Egypt.
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Can see Cairo skyline
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Admission ticket
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| Camel rides |
First is the
GREAT PYRAMID. Also known as IV Dynasty
CHEOPS/
KHUFU. IV DYNASTY. Tallest and oldest of the three. Built during the reign of Cheops (2589-2566 BC) Originally 460' high and 750' along its base. These measurements are less due to the removal of the outer casing of stone. Only a certain amount of visitors each day allowed to enter. Because of what Mustafa has told me I decide to not enter but Richard will, climbing backwards down the ladders. Not good if you're claustrophobic or have asthma as breathing is a bit difficult. Passageways are ascending and descending. Steeply sloping with low ceilings. The pyramid contains 3 chambers. There were no contents as those not looted would have been in the Egyptian Museum. From the entrance he went up the ascending corridor to the Great Gallery, the finest section. Built of limestone so perfectly cut that a knife blade can't be inserted between its joints. It's hot and airless here. At the top there is a horizontal chamber called the King's Chamber. Built of red granite rocks-rectangular-large space. He was glad to leave and get out into the air! While he was doing this I walked around and took pictures.
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| Admission ticket for entry into the pyramid |
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| Richard ready to enter the Great Pyramid |
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I was waiting for him when he came out
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Great Pyramid and Second Pyramid/Chephren/Khafre
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The
VIEWING PLATFORM gives us great views of the 3 pyramids. We even take some pictures that are out of the box.
The next pyramid is
CHEPHREN/
KAHFRE. On higher ground with intact summit and steeper sides this middle or Second Pyramid seems taller than the Great Pyramid. Built by Cheops' son Chephren. Original burial chamber like Cheops' never finished so an upper chamber was constructed. There is no entry to this pyramid.
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Can see the intact summit of the Second Pyramid/Chephren/Khafre on the right
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The last pyramid is
MYCERINUS/
MENKAURE. The smallest of the Giza Pyramids. Started by Chephren's successor Mycerinus. Finished by his son Shepseskaf. Its lower half was sheathed in Aswan granite. Unlike the others this pyramid's unfinished chamber is in the superstructure and the final burial chamber is underground. We enter this pyramid fairly easily. It's hot but breathing is ok.
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Admission ticket for entry into the pyramid
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SOLAR BOAT MUSEUM. I bought postcards and a book total 70 LE. A pod shaped structure near the Great Pyramid. Contains a full size ancient Egyptian boat recovered from a pit sunk around the pyramid. Pieces of the cedar wood were found in 5 pits by the Great Pyramid around 1954 and painstakingly put together. Slabs of limestone were found first but further investigation yielded the cedar pieces. stern to act like a rudder. No nails were used in its construction and the planking had been assembled using a system of stitching through the holes with ropes made from vegetable fibers. When the wood would get swollen by water the ropes would tighten and make the boat watertight. The boat has a large central cabin, an open canopy supported by poles, 5 pairs of oars and one pair at the Thought to have been the vessel that would transport the pharaoh to the afterlife. May have actually been used in Cheops/Khufu's funeral procession. It may also have been intended to allow the pharaoh to accompany the sun god on his daily journey across the heavens.
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| Admission ticket |
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Scale model
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Large central cabin
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Oars
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| Open canopy supported by poles |
SPHINX. Soft limestone. Thought to have been sculpted around 2500 BC by Chephren/Khafre and that it is his face now minus a nose that fronts the leonine body. It also once had a beard and parts of this are in the Egyptian Museum and British Museum.
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Postcard
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| Postcard |
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| Book has a lot of information and great pictures |
We are back to our hotel by 11:30 am so the rest of the day is free. We spend time at the
pool, mostly on the loungers because the water is still cold.
Drinks-put on our room tab. I take a relaxing bubble bath. I've made reservations for
dinner tonight at the
Moghul Room at our hotel. We run into the assistant manager of the hotel who takes us to see the Montgomery Suite. It is huge and breathtaking. He says we can stay here for the rest of our time at the hotel if we wish at no extra charge. Unfortunately that would involve a lot of packing, unpacking and we're leaving tomorrow. It was a very nice gesture though. I can see myself here!!
MOGHUL ROOM. Dinner. Indian food. We order garlic and plain naan which is a kind of bread. Basmati chawal-steamed long grain white rice. Another one of the rice dishes. Murgh jhalfarezi-stir fry chicken with onion, bell pepper, and Indian spices. Murgh tikka makhani-chicken in a fenugreek flavored tomato gravy. Chicken was moist, seasoned just right, and enough food for the 2 of us. Several bowls of sauces/spices. Dessert-Malai pista kulfi which is Indian ice cream flavored with pistachio. It was a very enjoyable dinner. Great food and great service. Cost 591.99 LE/$99.52.
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| Main entrees |
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| Dessert |
Tomorrow we check out. I'll be sad to leave this beautiful hotel. All the staff have been so kind. But tomorrow we are going to Bahariya Oasis and the White Desert and I'm really looking forward to this.
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