On Mon April 11 we set off for Cairo with the kids and if that wasn't hard enough we had two elderly folk tagging along for the ride too.
We were driven to the hotel and lucky darkness fell quickly as the traffic was terrifying and best not seen clearly. Road markings are only for decoration and 5 or 6 cars easily fit into where 3 normally would. The good thing is every car has a working horn and it is used to say "Hi" "Bye" "Hows your father" or "get out of my way". A few times we were tempted to touch the guy in the car next door as they were so close.
Our hotel was the Mena Oberoi situated right beside the Pyramids and was stunning, although the pool was a little chilly for my liking.
The oldest pyramid was great and you could see the Giza pyramids from there and another two pyramids also.
To finish off the day we went to the Giza Pyramids and to the Sphinx. Who knew there is a Sphinx for each Pyramid and the other two are currently buried beneath the sand and a housing development.
It was an eventful start with the man in front of us in the check in queue, had a heart attack, then I forgot Jaime's old passport with her Dubai residences visa in it so Andrew had to dash home and back because Jaime couldn't go through immigration without it otherwise she would be an overstayer.
We were slightly apprehensive after the recent happenings in Cairo. However it turned out to be the best time ever to travel there. There were very few tourists and we had no queues anywhere.
We got met at the airport by Gaza who turned out to be great.
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| The kids and Gaza |
Our hotel was the Mena Oberoi situated right beside the Pyramids and was stunning, although the pool was a little chilly for my liking.
The following morning after breakfast overlooking the Pyramids we met Sol who was our guide for our very busy day.
We piled into the mini van and took off to explore the Museum. The museum is on the Square where a few minor disagreements had been lately. The miltary presence was huge but they all gave friendly smiles and waves whilst holiding tightly onto their huge guns. Andrew and I hate museums and never spend more than a few seconds looking at anything but this museum held our attention. Jack, managed to perk up from death's door (poor boy had two ear infections and was coping like any male with them) was enthralled by it and read all the descriptions closely. King Tut's room was astounding. His gold death mask, tombs and jewerelly were all on display.
Next it was onto the oldest pyramid ever built. Think we were about the only tourists there. The drive out there had to be seen to be believed. Canals filled with rubbish and a couple of dead horses were in the middle of the two roads. Fully laden donkeys, horses and camels were everywhere. We had a game in the car and everyone was allocated a animal and whoever spotted the most of their animal won. I think one of the elderly folk won with goats.
A good thing about Egypt is that you dont have to pay taxes if the building you live in isn't finished. I think in the whole outlying city we saw 3 finished buildings. They looked pretty rickety too.
To finish off the day we went to the Giza Pyramids and to the Sphinx. Who knew there is a Sphinx for each Pyramid and the other two are currently buried beneath the sand and a housing development.
Andrew Jack and I went into the open Pyramid and went down into the burial chamber.
To finish the day we went to an art gallery where they paint on papyrus and we bought a painting.
The next morning we spent it by the pool and then in the afternoon we flew out to Jordan, but that's another post.
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