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Egypt
Jazirat al-Rawda

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  • TravelerAbenteuer in Ägypten🇪🇬🐪
    Day 2

    Das Gizeh Plateau 🐪

    January 31 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Mit 4 Stunden Schlaf und einem schnellen Frühstück haben wir uns auf den Weg zu den Gizeh Pyramiden gemacht.

    Über GetYourGuide hatten wir uns nach langer Recherche für eine geführte Tour entschieden. Somit wurden wir von unserem Fahrer Ahmed direkt abgeholt und haben auf dem Weg noch unseren Guide eingesammelt, der ebenfalls Ahmed heißt. Zu unserem Glück waren wir die einzigen, die an unserer Tour teilgenommen haben!

    Als aller erstes haben wir das Gizeh Plateau erreicht, sodass wir die insgesamt 9 Pyramiden sehen konnten. Die Cheops-Pyramide ist mit 138m die höchste. In ganz Ägypten gibt es 120 Pyramiden, auf welche man früher sogar noch klettern durfte! Auch die Sphinx war schön anzusehen, welche auch super schön aber gar nicht mal so groß war, wie ich erwartet hatte. Da es erst 11:00 Uhr war, bot uns der Guide an zu einem Bazaar zu fahren, worauf wir spontan sehr große List hatten. Diesen stellten wir uns deutlich niedlicher vor, als er war, da wir einfach nur in einem krass überteuerten Schmuckladen gefahren wurden und umsonst eine Pepsi erhielten. Viel zu früh gab es viel zu viel Lunch in einem sehr touristischen Restaurant, welches Teil der Tour, aber auch super lecker war. Unser Plan alles auf zu essen, um nichts weg zu schmeißen, ist kläglich gescheitert, da alles nachgeliefert wurde. Völlig übersättigt stiegen wir wieder zu Ahmed dem Ersten ins Auto, der uns ohnehin sympathischer war als
    Ahmed der Zweite, da dieser unsere Fragen nicht sooo gut beantworten konnte und wollte…

    Der letzte Stopp des Trips war das GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum), in welchem wir lauwarme Fakten von Ahmed (Nummer2) erhielten und uns nicht wenige Male „I told you this already“ anhörten. Das Gebäude selbst war unglaublich modern und architektonisch eindrucksvoll, nicht zuletzt dank all der archäologischen Schätze, die dort ausgestellt werden.

    Wieder im Hotel bin ich für 4 Stunden in einen komatösen Tiefschlaf gefallen. Abends haben wir uns diesmal ganz alleine ein Restaurant in der Nähe herausgesucht, in welchem wir neben unserem leckeren Abendessen auch unsere Autonomie sehr genossen haben.🥰    Read more

    See translation
  • TravelerTaiwan Exchange
    Day 141

    met Youp in Egypte

    January 11 in Egypt ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Na mijn vertrek uit Thailand ging ik weer een nieuw avontuur aan met Youp in Egypte. De aankomst in Cairo was een enorme cultuurshock ten opzichte van Azië. Egyptenaren zijn in mijn opzicht onder te verdelen in twee groepen. Het ene gedeelte is super vriendelijk, geïntegreerd, open en behulpzaam. Het andere gedeelte zien je als wandelende portemonnees en gaan je oprecht lastig vallen om geld aan je te verdienen. Verder werd snel duidelijk dat Egypte stukken minder welvarend is dan het westen en sommige delen van Azië. Overal waar je kijkt is een bouwval, bijna geen auto zou ooit door de apk komen in Nederland en op de straten is veel afval.
    Na Cairo en de pyramids te hebben gezien gingen we de woestijn in waar we een nacht in een tent onder de sterren doorbrachten.
    Onze reis werd vervolgd naar Aswan waar we een aantal fantastische dagen hadden met een Spaans-Venezuelans stel, een Ierse dame en de host van de Guesthouse Bibo. Overdag voeren we rond op de Nijl en bezochten, tempels en savonds maakte we muziek met onze nieuwe vrienden. We sloten de dagen af met een avond bij Bibos vrienden waar we samen Spaanse, Arabische en Engelse muziek maakten.
    Luxor is the stad van de Egyptenaren. Zo bezochten we the Valley of the Kings waar meer dan 40 van de grootste faraos zijn begraven. En niet te vergeten een ballonvaart met zonsopgang!
    We eindigde ons Egypte avontuur in Hurghada waar we mochten duiken in de Rode Zee en het grootse koraal mochten aanschouwen.
    Ik schrijf dit vanuit Gudauri, Georgië de laatste bestemming van mijn avontuur over de wereld.
    Het is moeilijk te beseffen dat het einde echt in zicht is en ik ga het reizen enorm missen ook al weet ik nu al dat ik binnen no time aan het leven thuis weer zal wennen.
    Maar fit was Egypte, nu snowboarden in Georgië!    Read more

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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The Pharoahs
    Day 4

    Giza Plateau & Egyptian Museum of Cairo

    December 7, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    OMG OMG OMG. Today was a day of dreams come true...mostly.

    We left the hotel at 0800 bound for the Giza Plateau. At 0930 we had entered the park with the Pyramids 😲! 45 minutes later, we were still standing there, still looking at the big one while the guide was still talking 🤬. I interrupted and demanded to be let loose to go inside, and at 1015 we were given 45 minutes to walk around the huge area, including the time to climb up inside the big one 🤬.

    The inside was very bare with no hieroglyphics, just as I knew it would be. I didn't know, however, how humid it would be, so I was sweating pretty good by the time we had scrambled to the one inner chamber you're allowed to enter. A few pics and amazement at the expertise it took to construct such an edifice 😲, then we were down again.

    Knowing that the Sphinx was visible from the overlook 😲, I and about 10 other Hashers quickly headed down the side of the big one to get a quick pic before going back to the bus. The Tourism Security Officer escorting our group decided he would single me out to yell at, then graciously allowed me to go take my pic before herding us back 🤬. I did ❤️, we did ❤️, and we all got back to the bus before the tour guide 🤬.

    We drove up to an overlook behind the three pyramids for most people to ride camels (we didn't), buy trinkets (we didn't), and take pictures with all 3 pyramids visible (we most certainly did 😲).

    Then we were down to the Sphinx 😲 where we had 30 minutes to walk around a tiny area 🤬. Everyone was back to the bus early, and we were off to a shop where they showed us how to make papyrus paper, then tried to sell us everything we could carry 🤬. John and I were the first one out of the door.

    At 1330 it was finally time for lunch...at the worst place ever 🤬. They took us to a floating restaurant on the Nile 😲, which would have been awesome if the food had been what they said it would be and we didn't have to pay twice what it cost on their menu 🤬. I refused to eat or pay for the food, but I did have an amazing snack with the bus driver in the road outside. Half a pita lined with a type of creamy cheese and stuffed with a hard-boiled egg and a couple of tomato chunks 🤤. The men didn't even make me pay for it 😲.

    It was 1500 when we left "lunch" with everyone bitching and still hungry, but very soon we were across the river and at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo 😲.

    When we arrived, we were given only one hour to see the entire two-story museum 🤬, so I asked someone how to get to the one display you absolutely must see...King Tut 😲😲😲.

    King Tutankhamun's funeral mask and burial items are on display here 😲. How absolutely jaw-dropping incredible 😲. I actually verged on tears looking at the mask 😲. I couldn't take pictures, but the link below tells about him and may have pictures (I haven't listened yet).

    https://m.soundcloud.com/tutankhamun-be/sets/ht…

    Then it was back to the bus. Another drive and we arrived at another boat, a Felucca (with motor not sail), where we met some of the Cairo H3 Hashers for an hour tour of the river 😲. Most everyone had to pee first, so we had to dodge traffic to get across the street and into the Four Seasons, then go through the x-ray machines, then queue for the toilets, then go back across the street to the boats 🤬. Needless to say, we didn't leave the dock until almost dark, but still had a decent time even with nothing to drink or eat 😥.

    We got back to the hotel at 1900 after some serious discussions with the tour guides 🤬, but just in time for happy hour in the Executive Lounge where they have food and drinks for free 😁. A beer, some nosh, and some more bitching with the group, then John and I were off to the room to pack.

    We leave the hotel at 0330 in the morning 😭 for our flight to Aswan. Wish us luck 🤞!    Read more

  • TravelerEgypt and Jordan
    1
    Day 4

    Day 3

    November 8, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Our day started early to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx!!!! I can’t tell you the excitement I felt upon seeing that cat! Had fun taking some silly pics and wondered around the area. Being Friday, kids are out of school and the govt suggested they go see the pyramids as well. Then it was on to the camels. Steve had Mickey and I was on Pepsi. It was fun and got some other views of the pyramids. Many had been destroyed and only ruins remained. As we were trying to get to the restaurant, the streets were packed with people and cars in a huge jam. I am still in amazement. After a very filling lunch, we were off to the Egyptian Museum (old). The new one opened in October but only a soft opening…not taking huge groups. Dang it. So many of the items have already been moved. Made a stop to do jewelry shopping but am not quite ready to do any buying. I have to remember I only came with my backpack. Hahah. Tomorrow , we have a wake up call at 0230 and a plane to catch at 4. We are flying to Luxor and heading to Aswan. Today I am grateful for fulfilling a long time dream of seeing the Sphinx, grateful for the delicious food and grateful for hopefully getting to bed early.Read more

  • TravelerEgypt & Türkiye
    Day 2

    Hello Cairo

    September 26, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    It took all of 30 seconds to realise we had made the best decision ever to book our Egyptian adventure with Intrepid. We met with our transfer guy outside the gate at the airport and he sorted our visa, literally whisked us through immigration by taking us through the Diplomatic entry and had us at baggage claim in less than 5 minutes. So impressive!!!
    Jim’s bag came out in the first minute and after a small panic, (with the conveyor belt stopping for 15 minutes and imagining myself wearing golf shirts & black shorts for the next few weeks), mine finally arrived. Phew!!
    That’s when the REAL adventure began. Our transfer to the hotel.
    With 23 million people living in Cairo alone and it being a city of cars, not scooters or bikes, the traffic was insane.
    Lane markings appear to be purely decorative and we didn’t see a traffic light. What we did see was close encounters of all kinds, people casually strolling across what I thought was a highway, people jumping out of cars in the middle of traffic (like entire families), and new ones jumping in and even buses reversing down packed exit ramps. However it all just seems to work! Also meandering through the traffic are street cleaners with brooms keeping all the roads very neat and tidy.
    After nearly 36 hours door to door, we checked into our hotel and wandered to the restaurant next door. It smelled quite lovely which I discovered was due to all the shishas being smoked everywhere. We may try one but now we are quite tired.
    We met a lovely Egyptian man, Tommy who owned the restaurant. He sat and explained a lot of stuff to us - where to get bottled water for locals prices (Cairo apparently has local prices and tourist prices); in fact after dinner he walked us to the “fixed price supermarket “ where we stocked up on water for 10c a bottle and a few other snacks.
    Exhausted we fell into bed at about 9pm ready to explore this phenomenal city tomorrow. Our actual tour begins on Sunday.    Read more

  • TravelerEgypt & Morocco
    1
    Day 15

    And more Cairo

    May 3, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Our ride, Mohammed, picked us up and we headed off to Sakkara. This is where the step pyramid- the oldest of them all - is located. The whole complex is enormous with the site being excavated. We went from there to the Red pyramid, which we were able to go inside. It was hard work but well worth it. The ceiling in the chamber was magnificent. Then off to the Bent pyramid, because it had to be finished early as its planned occupant was dying. It was even harder work to get into this, but its inside was nowhere near as exciting. Definitely got my steps up today. From there, we went to a carpet training school where they showed us how they make carpet and train future carpet makers. Then back to Cairo for Koshari (a traditional Egyptian dish) for tea. Delivery was an option 😊Read more

  • TravelerEgypt & Morocco
    Day 4

    Cairo

    April 22, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    What an amazing day. We spent the first half of the day at Giza. Pyramids & the Sphinx are just amazing. And to go into the burial chamber in the middle of Khufu’s pyramid was quite mind blowing. Then we finished off the day with a visit to the Cairo museum. So much interesting stuff, including much from Tutankhamun’s tomb.Read more

  • TravelerPlus one solo in Europe
    Day 27

    Egypt. The pyramids and pyramid schemes

    November 29, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Egypt. Ra, Egyptian God of the Sun ruled today. I woke early and captured a beautiful sunrise over Alexandria. We docked at approximately 0800. A 5km run. Breakfast, before joining a very long day tour to Cairo to explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Giza plateau.

    I wanted to write a gushing post about Egypt. One of the 7 wonders! The incredible feats of architecture defying the laws of physics and human strength. Built without machinery - at least not powered. Levers. Fulcrums. I'm taken back to the mechanics of human movement and concede how incredible it is these pyramids exist.

    But Egypt. Do you judge a destination on how it makes you feel? I'm of the opinion (worldly as I am now), that it is the sum of all parts. Is it fair to judge a destination on a visit in one day? Perhaps not, though some of what I observed are not an assumption of culture based on a single interaction with any one person today. It was the roads. The traffic. Chaotic drivers and lack of road rules. Soaring pyramids surrounded by stray dogs seeking a meal. It's the magnificent ancient pyramids with rubbish and cigarette butts in piles. It's the master hustlers. The only time I've been at risk overseas I feel was today. Picked off the pack. A narrow escape. The overwhelming feeling of disrespect.

    Our tour guide proudly proclaimed on our trip they don't have any homelessness as they look after their families in Egypt. They don't have insurance as they don't need it. She said it with pride, not meant as an insult, but I observed ghetto like living conditions and exploitation of children peddling wares, weaving amongst traffic and felt her comment reeked of arrogance.

    No homelessness? I interpret that statement to mean no mental health issues. Bullsh*t. No insurance? What of the poor families disproportionately impacted by accident or a congenital bad hand? Perhaps her sentiment is everything I see as wrong in this region of the world.

    Egypt left me feeling more homesick than I ever have on this journey, though I'll summarise my day.

    Giza Plateau:
    When I say pyramids, I feel specificity is important. Our Egyptian tour guide, aptly named Bella (she was beautiful) informed us there are 118 Pyramids in total in Egypt.

    Bella explained the Pyramids are houses for the next phase of life, and that Egyptian's have no belief in death, it's merely a transition from your short life on earth to an eternal afterlife.

    I'm not sure if she was referring to ancient Egyptians only. More research required. Note to self. Binge watch Indiana Jones and Night at the museum once more. I digress.

    Egypt really is something else. I've seen a total of 16 countries this year, and have not witnessed anything quite like Egypt. The traffic. The drivers. It's as though there are no road laws. Our coach had police traffic escorts x 2! The car in the attached picture passed us right by, Ute tray filled with passengers.

    It's a certainty the saying "Stay in your lane" does not exist here, as nobody did! You simply use your horn when someone weaves in front of you, and expect the same in return. I doubt anyone even pays attention to the beeping horn anymore.

    The hustlers were next level. The coach had barely moved into park and they swamped. Begging you to buy their wares. Take their photo. They are relentless. We are instructed to not make eye contact or respond. I wish I'd recalled those instructions when an "official" castigated me for being off path. A narrow escape.

    Our first option on arrival was to ride a camel a short way through the Sahara desert. I met my camel. Charlie Brown was his name, so my camel guide, Mohammed tells me. Why does every bloke in Egypt so far have the same name?

    I'm grateful for my strength as I (Mounted? it really sounds like I'm being inappropriate 🤷 🤣) Charlie and rode in a caravan (that's the term for an attached procession), with my new friend Kevin from Texas, and his camel, Michael Jackson.

    We then explored the pyramids. The great sphinx of Giza. Attended a lesson on papyrus paper.

    I'd not planned my day very well and not eaten adequately, especially given I'd run earlier. Our buffet lunch? 4pm. An 8 hour fast was not in my plans.

    A mammoth day and 8pm return to the ship.

    We are in Alexandria, Egypt another day though I'm choosing to stay on the ship. I'm dismayed at the disrespect given to these ancient wonders by the Egyptian people. The exploitation. The filth.

    I've never missed the smell of the Australian Bush more than I do right now. We live in paradise. I'll console myself with Vegemite, hugs from loved ones and my Ferdie when I get home.

    Egypt and the great pyramids. One of the 7 wonders. You'll wonder why you came.    Read more

  • TravelerEuro Year
    Day 170

    First day in cairo

    October 24, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    When we first landed in Cairo it looked like tatooine from starwars, there was fog everywhere and everything was a muted yellow brown colour. Our flight took most of the night and morning so we hadn't slept and were extremely tired but didn't want to ruin our sleep schedules so we spent the rest of the day roaming around downtown cairo. My first impressions are that the people and traffic are quite chaotic and visually the city is very homogeneous. All the buildings are the same colour and style, it kinda seems like instead of hiring an architect all the builders just get told to copy whatever the building on the other side of the street looks like. Lunch was delicious, I had a curry and creamed rice and then went to bed at 6 :).Read more

  • Egyptian and Jordan Adventure
    21
    Day 4

    The pyramids, the Sphinx and

    May 18, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

    We had an early start to get ahead of the heat and crowds to visit the great pyramids and the sphinx. Then, even more treasures at the Egyptian Museum. Our guide Mudi brought us to a local restaurant for lunch … delicious Egyptian food!

    An awesome day!    Read more

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