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The eighth stop on our 40 day journey around the globe brought us to one of the world’s most famous and historical sites… the ancient city of Cairo… but more importantly, to the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!

During our short time in Cairo, we marveled at the massive and ancient ruins of the Great Pyramids, enjoyed a dinner cruise along the Nile River, wandered the streets of Coptic Cairo (where Joseph, Mary & Jesus are said to have stayed and also where Moses was supposedly found in the reeds by Pharoah’s daughter), and just a little bit more!

Day 26

Our last and final ridiculously early day began at around 3AM in order to catch our 5:35AM flight on Royal Jordanian airlines which would deliver us to Cairo by 2:45PM via Amman, Jordan.

From India to Jordan, we would be flying over the turbulent Middle East. After flying over Pakistan, our plane took a detour south around Iran and Iraq and proceeded along “neutral territory” over Saudi Arabia and up into Jordan. It was an odd feeling to see Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq on the plane’s TV screens displaying the flight trajectory… especially, seeing the names of cities made familiar by media coverage of the ongoing war.

After our layover in Amman, we proceeded south around Israel and into the Arab Republic of Egypt.

As we flew over Egypt, it was amazing to see the Red Sea reaching around the Sinai Peninsula…

The Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea

Once on the ground, we experienced the madness of Egyptian traffic in nearly 100 degree heat as it took us nearly 1.5 hours to get to the hostel from the airport.

Along the way, we began to see signs that we were now in the historic land of Egypt…

A statue of Ramses (?) along the road from the airport

For our first taste of Egypt, we boarded a riverboat called the “Memphis” to watch the sunset along the Nile River and enjoy dinner and some Egyptian entertainment to conclude a long day.

On the sundeck at sunset

A spinning dancer during the dinner show

Day 27

On our first of only two full days in Cairo, we ventured out early with our tour guide to visit two historical sites near the city.

We began by heading southwest from Cairo to visit the oldest pyramid in Egypt… the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, which was completed in the 27th century B.C.

The entrance to the mortuary temple at Saqqara

Inside the mortuary temple, pillars of stone cut to resemble papyrus bundles

In front of the Step Pyramid of Djoser

After wandering the grounds of Saqqara, we visited the Imhotep Museum, which contained various artifacts and information about the pyramid and its builder.

Entrance to the Museum

The pedestal of Djoser’s statue discovered within the pyramid complex

After seeing the first pyramid, we were taken to a “government” papyrus shop where we learned a little bit about papyrus and its uses. As usual, we enjoyed the history lesson, evaded the sales pitch, and continued on our way. =)

Some papyrus plants flanked by artwork on papyrus paper

And then, we were finally at the much anticipated… Great Pyramids of Giza! We spent a good portion of both the early afternoon and evening here as we first rode camels around the complex and later returned for the sunset and the Sound & Lights show.

There are actually 9 pyramids in this complex… the main three (from right to left) are Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (or Mykerinus)

My camel posing by the Great Pyramids

The middle Pyramid of Chephren rising 448 feet (471 feet originally) above the little people and horses below

Wow, these are big blocks of st
one

At the base of the Pyramid of Chephren

On our camels beneath the Pyramid of Chephren

Though the Pyramids were massive and impressive… we discovered that the Sphinx was actually much smaller than expected and somewhat underwhelming. =)

The Pyramid of Chephren and the Sphinx in the late afternoon

Camel silhouette trekking away from the base of the Pyramid of Cheops

Silhouettes of the Pyramids of Chephren & Cheops and the Sphinx at sunset

After the sunset, we enjoyed the Sound & Lights show about the history of the Great Pyramids.

The Sphinx narrated the events leading to the creation of the Great Pyramids

The pyramid of Chephren spectacularly illuminated

Recounting the history of the Great Pyramids and their owners

Day 28

Our final day in Cairo was spent visiting the ancient sites around the city.

We began the morning by heading south to Coptic Cairo, a part of Old Cairo which is home to many historical Coptic Christian sites.

After seeing a portion of the remaining ruins of Babylon Fortress, our first visit was to the Hanging (or Suspended) Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt dating back to the 3rd century A.D. and built above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress.

Steps up to the Hanging Church

Mural of the Holy Family during its flight to Egypt

We also visited Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, which is said to have been a site where Joseph, Mary & Jesus stayed during their time in Egypt, and Ben-Ezra Synagogue, which is said to have been built on the site where Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter.

After visiting several other sites, we went to visit the 12th century Saladin Citadel of Cairo to see the Islamic part of Cairo.

The Mohamed Ali mosque within the Citadel

Inner dome of the Mohamed Ali mosque

From the Citadel’s elevated position over the city, one can see the sprawling urban growth of Cairo.

City view from the Citadel

Next, we visited the street markets at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar where we continued our sightseeing while not buying a single thing (traveling light!!). =)

Egyptian souvenirs at Khan el-Khalili

Finally, we concluded our day by visiting the Egyptian Museum which houses 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, including the spectacular treasures and artifacts from King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Unfortunately, no photography was allowed inside the museum so you’ll just have to visit yourself to marvel at the numerous artifacts inside. Sorry! =)

Another Sphinx in front of the pink building housing the collections of the Egyptian Museum

So, after two HOT days of wandering the scorching desert and streets in and around Cairo, we were ready to continue to our 9th destination on the southern shores of the Sinai Peninsula… Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt… to dive the Red Sea! =)