Pyramids! Bucket List - Check
We then drove another short distance to Saqqara where we saw the oldest pyramid in Egypt, known informally as the “step pyramid.” We actually went inside another pyramid, walking down a narrow 4ft high passage for 100+ feet. Then toured a neighboring tomb. Odd, in the sense that it was never intended to hold a body, more of a “day in the life” commemoration of the deceased - very cool hieroglyphics.
Finally, back in the car for another insane Egyptian drive to the Giza plateau, 8 miles southwest of Cairo. However, not before a stopped at the rug weaving center where we finally bought a rug . . . .
The big moment of the day, finally seeing the Great Pyramid appear over the horizon between the buildings. Amazing to stand at its base, feel the history, and marvel at its sheer size - 481ft tall, 6 million tons of stone comprised of 2.3 million limestone blocks. The only remaining wonder of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid was built by the pharaoh Khufu in 2600 BCE. It exhibits a perfect north/south orientation and, along with the two other neighboring pyramids, aligns perfectly to model the Orion constellation. For thousands of years considered the tallest human structure on earth, the Great Pyramid still has secrets to reveal. In 2017, it was learned through the use of stone penetrating radar harnessing muon sub-atomic particles, that there exist 5 yet undiscovered chambers near the peak of the pyramid. They appear to be inaccessible and it is theorized that they contain the actual remains of the pharoah Khufu!
Great authentic Egyptian lunch at a restaurant overlooking the pyramids, then our first-ever camel rides. A bit scary as the 10yr old kid taking us around didn’t seem fully in control. At one point, my steed (carrying me) started to wander off as said child was preparing for our photo shoot.
The grand finale of the day was the Sphinx, about 1/2 mile down the hill from the pyramids. It is a chimera (half human, half lion) standing 66ft high and 240ft long. Thought to have been built around the time of the Great pyramid (2500 BCE), it is believed to represent the pharoah Kafre (son of Khufu). It was buried up to its neck in sand until 1926. It is rumored that Napoleon’s troops used it for target practice, blasting off its nose. However, the nasal appendage appears to have been lost to an earthquake several centuries earlier. There was a hole in the top of its head that could hold a person, whose voice could provide the illusion of the Sphinx speaking. Oh what would I have said? . . . “Bring the Sphinx beer and you will prosper . . . . cold beer. It’s hot here!”
Our awesome tour guide Mohamed
Steve Martin’s King Tut performance on SNL in 1978
That's so impressive and awe inspiring. Wanted to make a few joking comments but reality is that's one of a very few sights that would pull me from the US. There are pictures of my grandmother there in our family album
ReplyDeleteYou would love it, J. Only a quick plane ride from Dubai!
DeleteWhat a grand adventure! The rug is beautiful....it will look lovely in Boothbay, eventually 😉
ReplyDeleteYes, we love where it came from and the color is unique.
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