It took a couple of hours to locate an apartment at Heliopolis with the help of local contact (this works out more cheaper than 2/3 star hotels). The first thing I learnt about is how better can be bargains at Cairo and bakshish (tips).
After dropping the baggage at apartment the days visit was to Cairo Museum which served as an eye opener for the Egyptian history.
With a guide it took over 3 ½ hours to explore the museum. The Royal mummies (which has a extra entry fee), golden throne of king
Tutankhamen, his golden mummy mask (weighing over 11 kgs), his golden ornaments, golden chariot, golden bed, gold, gold and more gold.
The mummified animals (cats, crocodile, cow, dog, birds,…) were of interest. Not to forget the huge status of king Amenophis III placed at the centre of the museum.
Another most important thing is beware of cheaters (including the people selling cheap printed paintings on fake papyrus)!!!
Had some delicious falafel (the local veg masala vadai) at down town, had the scent of river Nile over the bridge by sunset.
Day two started at a horse/camel stable at entrance of Giza, a horse / camel ride across the Necroplois (ancient burial grounds of Giza). The stunning view of the pyramids of Giza made me think how beautiful they must have been with paintings all over centuires ago. Not to forget the guide who took us to the panoramic view point, I wished I were at that point by sunset.
After a detour from the panoramic view point, I went for a close look of the massive Sphinx (my mind reeled to my school history book where I first saw a pencil sketch of the Ceops pyramid and Sphinx of Giza).
It did hurt my mind knowing that the legendary Sphinx is decaying because of something which is equivalent to human cancer.
A street seller offered me “The history of Ancient Egypt” for which he wanted 200 Egyptian pounds, with my broken Arabic language I was able to close the deal at 70 Egyptian pounds (good bargaining does save a lot at Egypt).
Strolling down in the hot sun we reached the Cheops boat museum, to see the massive ancient boat on which the ancient Egyptians believed that the soul of King Cheops sailed to eternity. I was stunned to see the wooden boat which survives beyond 4500 years!!!
The massive Cheops pyramid just outside the boat museum took my breath away. The 450 feet high pyramid built 4500 years ago with lime stone block, amazing architecture and engineering!!!
Of course legends are larger then life!!!
From Giza we went to the government papyrus museum, where we were demonstrated with making of papyrus (the first form of paper on the planet). After spending over an hour studying the paintings and after the bargains I bought 3 painting at the price of two. Plus small compliments.
The last and magnificent incident of the day was the light and sound show at Giza. It made me speechless, instead of the chairs I opted to sit down on the sand with my camera mounted on the tripod (good to know that they made that place for photographers). The colourful massive lights played over the pyramids and Sphinx across the Necropolis.
The huge limestone wall in front of the Sphinx was used as a screen to project the images of Egyptian history. The crystal clear audio system and the majestic music in that open theatre made Giza come to life; even after centuries.
The whole scene was set as if the Sphinx narrates the story to us. Towards the end he (Sphinx) quoted that Julius Ceaser, Napolean and Alaxander the Great passed by him. He ended his statement saying, “All those great heroes who passed by became nothing more than dust, yet I will live to see another hundred and thousand first rays of the sun falling on my face”.
Stunning!
The next days trip was to Dharshur to see the 3 ancient pyramids (the red, black and the odd shaped). I did climb up to the entrance and went inside the pyramid with only one person to accompany through the steep hole that took us inside. It was the experience of a life time.
On the way back we dropped in at Ramses museum at Memphis which served a kingdom of the ancient Egypt for over 5 Dynasties. The huge ruin of king Ramses II was eye catching.
The highlight of the day did come next when we visited Saquarra. First we watched a short national Geographic film at the Imhotep museum theatre, the film briefed us what we are about to witness. Inside the museum, amid the beautiful pottery, mummies, measuring tools, weapons and statues lies the tiny bronze statue of the great Imhotep, the master mind behind the first ever pyramid built on earth at Saquarra.
On a small hill above the Imhotep museum stands the Saquarra step pyramid, the first pyramid on earth.
The night ended with a 3 hours cruise on river Nile. The cruise started at 7:00 PM had variety entertainment including an hour of belly dance. The buffet dinner after the entertainment was okay and breathing some fresh air on top of the Cruise vessel was really refreshing.
Next week I will return with the visit to Citadel Mosque, Al-kaleel market and the 2 day trip to Luxor to witness the rich era and fall of ancient Egyptian kingdom.
