Yesterday we traveled 3.5 hours from Alexandria to Cairo, with armed guards and escorts. Our buses traveled as a caravan. We did not experience checkpoints today, like the other days. Visited the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, had lunch while cruising the Nile with entertainment, then visited the Sphinx and Pyramids. Another 13 hour day with hours of sitting on the bus. The views from the bus were more interesting as irrigation provided by the Nile meant a lot of farming.
This morning I am sailing in the Mediterranean and I am sitting by the pool listening to the pool water sloshing as the sea is quite choppy.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria has a storied past. Spread at the mouth of Egypt’s Nile River, this historic port grew into a center of education and the second most powerful city in the world after Rome. It remained the capital of Roman and Byzantine Egypt for a millennium. Its library was the largest in the ancient world. International scholars flocked here in search of knowledge. The ancient amphitheater provides a glimpse of the city under Roman rule. Part of Alexandria lies underwater, a remarkable time capsule of a past era. Part of Alexandria is believed to be under today’s city.
Alexandria - Most European of all Egyptian cities. Cairo is 141 miles away. Stones from the original lighthouse were used to build the Citadel on the same sight. The Library, which is circular, is believed to be on the site of the ancient library.
Cairo is one of Africa’s largest cities. Centuries of history. Modern industrialized city. “Mother of the World”. Pyramids of Giza are nearby. Mortuarian temples are guarded by the Sphinx. His nose is missing - due to weather erosion or some say Napolean’s soldiers used it for target practice. Archaelogists followed and Tut tomb was a huge discovery.
Saw the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Egypt has 7,000 years of continuous civilization. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Egyptian artifacts from 2700 BC to the 6th century AD. Saw statues, jewels and artifacts including the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen, the boy-king who ruled Egypt for nine years. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo did not allow photos inside. We looked at coffins with hieroglyphics inside and out. We saw some statues and floor and wall pieces. We looked at mummies that were wrapped and had faces painted on (papryus?) laying on top of the skull. We also saw mummies of animals that the Egyptians had worshiped such as crocodiles. Ate lunch, as we cruised the Nile in a floating restaurant with police in motor boats on both sides of our vessel. Enjoyed a traditional bellydancing performance and an amazing Whirling Dervish performance. Visited the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The Pyramids are on the edge of the city of Giza, not in the middle of a desert as I imagined. The Great Sphinx stands at over 65 feet high. It was an awesome experience. Long ride back. All buses from our trip and other tours arriving at the same time so long, long line to go through screening before getting back on board.
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| This Whirling Dervish performance at lunch was absolutely amazing. |
FACEBOOK post Alexandria, Egypt The Sphinx at Al Ahram, Egypt guards the mortuary temples. Standing over 65 feet high and 240 feet long, it is an amazing Wonder of the Ancient World. This day we also visited Cairo's Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. A buffet lunch was served in a floating restaurant while cruising on the Nile. The entertainment at lunch included an Egyptian Whirling Dervish. He performed for about fifteen minutes and was absolutely astonishing.
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