Saqqara

This morning started off a little slower than most. Both of us woke up feeling less than 100%. Jayde is still battling a nasty cold he just can’t seem to shake, and my stomach... well, let’s just say Egypt is still winning that round. We figured this might be our bodies telling us we needed a proper rest day, so we took it easy, lingered in the room a little longer, and allowed ourselves to slow down.

By lunchtime, though, the FOMO crept in. We decided we felt well enough to finally tick Saqqara off our list a site we’d had to skip the day before. So, we booked an Uber and hit the road.

Let’s just say our Uber adventure was an experience. We’d been warned about drivers in Cairo, and this guy didn’t disappoint in the “difficult” department. After a few firm words (and double checking the destination on the map ourselves), we were finally en route properly.

The drive to Saqqara was eye opening. We passed through areas marked by deep poverty, rubbish strewn across roads, women sifting through the waste, and heartbreakingly, a dead dog left by the roadside. It was a stark reminder of the many layers of life in this city one moment you’re driving past ancient wonders, the next you’re witnessing difficult realities.

Eventually, we made it to Saqqara. It's less visited than the Pyramids of Giza but equally fascinating.
The highlight of the site is undoubtedly the Step Pyramid, considered the oldest pyramid in Egypt. Walking around it today, it's incredible to think how this one monument paved the way for all the pyramids that followed.

We spent a quiet hour or so wandering the site, enjoying the calm compared to other tourist spots, before calling another Uber (thankfully less eventful this time) and heading back to the hotel.
We squeezed in a bit more rest still trying to listen to what our bodies are asking for.

Dinner tonight was a simple dinner on our hotel rooftop with the most fabulous view of the pyramids. Nothing fancy, just enough to keep us going. After that, it was showers and straight back to bed, hoping a good night’s sleep will help us feel more like ourselves tomorrow.

On the itinerary for tomorrow is museum hopping and a cruise on the Nile. Hopefully with a bit more energy and a little less coughing and tummy rumbling.Read more