Exploring Cairo, and the Pyramids

After visiting Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, where we were nearly bitten by the ‘Ramses Bug’, we eagerly looked forward to being bowled-over by Cairo, which was our next destination in Egypt.  Cairo?s sights are spread all over the city, so it is prudent to organize your visits a little and do things in one area before moving to the next.  The Egyptian Museum and few other sights are in central Cairo, the mosques and Islamic monument are in Islamic Cairo. Coptic Cairo, Pyramids at Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur need at least a whole extra day.

Come along, browse through this photo-blog and see a little of Cairo through our eyes.

Cairo:

The Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt?s  first Pyramid, built by Pharaoh Djoser in 2630 B.C.

The Red Pyramid at Dahshur was built by Pharaoh Snefru

At the Red Pyramid, the entrance to the burial chamber via 125 stone steps and a 63 mtr passage.  As you go further you have to bend more n more;  not to be attempted if you have even a wee bit of claustrophobia.

The tombs and burial chambers beckon –  at the Red Pyramid at Dahshur.

The largest of the three Giza Pyramids, is the Great Pyramid of Cheops (also called Khufu?s Pyramid),  built by 4th dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, rises to a height of nearly 150 Meters. 

The Great Pyramid  built 4600 years ago and still standing;  no wonder the Giza Pyramids are considered the greatest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The Pyramid of Chephren (also called Pyramid of Khafre), 140 Meters high, its peak still capped with limestone casing.

The Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre);  looks majestic doesn’t it ?

I’m taller you shorty! In the picture the Chephren Pyramid looks larger because it is built on a higher level.  The Solar Barque Museum (silver structure in front of  Cheops Pyramid) contains the ancient barques (wooden boats) which were unearthed in 1954

The Pyramid of Mankaure (also called Pyramid of Mycerinus) the smallest of the 3 great pyramids at Giza (65 mtrs),   was once faced in granite and limestone,  now bears the rough stones of its core to the elements of weathering. The small pyramid to the left is the Queens pyramid.

The Sphinx, known in arabic as Abu-Al-Hol (Father of Terror), cut out of solid rock near the pyramids of Giza,  bears the weather-worn portrait head of the Pharaoh Chephren(Khafre) and depicts the Pharaoh as a human headed lion, wearing the head-dress of the pharaohs.

The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid  of Khufu (Cheops) in the background.

The Sphinx and the Pyramid of Chepren (Khafre) in the background

The Sphinx and the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus) in the background; looks so close, but  it?s a long long walk folks!. Better to take a ride  by camel or horse; or it can be a real exhausting walk.

The Sphinx, the Pyramids of Menkaure,  Chepren?to the right is the Great Pyramid of Cheops (not in pic)

Camel ride around the Pyramids of Giza;  Daylight robbery here if you are not astute; they blurt a rate of  US$:80/- and then come down to US$:10/- 

Three on one;  economizing on the fare ?.. Poor Camel 🙁

A right side view of the Sphinx

A frontal view of the Sphinx;  Legends and superstitions abound about  the Sphinx. Its appearance intriguing to say the least

The treasures of Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Museum ?  the funerary mask which covered his mummy, solid gold and weighing 11 kgs

Eeeeeeeee Bhagoh !!  The Mummy is gonna wake up  !.. at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.  A separate entrance fee of E.Pounds 100/- only to see the Mummies..worth every penny though.

No Pictures of the Mummies were allowed; but I secretly & riskily 😉  clicked this especially for M.Com viewers?SShhhhhhhh
 (I believe rules are made to be broken anyway 😉 ).

Author: Judith Serrao- UAE