Pyramids and camels

At the pyramid of King Djosser

Refreshed after a good night’s rest, today we’re going to see the other half of the Egyptian Pharionic story at the pyramids of Djosser and Giza. Hasim, our driver for today and Wael our guide pick us up and drive us in one large mini-bus – so much easier than 2 taxi’s – to Saqqara the site of the oldest pyramids. We follow the Nile tributaries on the way all threatening to be clogged with all the detritus and rubbish of Cairo. The first stop is at the museum where we meet King Djosser himself and to be honest it’s quite an eerie experience as although he’s been dead and mummified for thousands of years he looks like he could sit up any minute! The pyramids of Djosser, they aren’t as aesthetically impressive outside as their more well-known counterparts in Giza but they are still huge, stepped pyramids. Inside the pyramids the walls are covered in intricate stone carvings, hieroglyphics and colour, I am amazed that all this has survived so many centuries.

Tuk tuk

Pyramid of king Cheops

It’s a short drive to the pyramids at Giza but as it’s lunch time we are persuaded to stop for a meal half way to Giza, it’s a nice clean restaurant though I suspect Wael has some family or monetary connection going on! Suitably refreshed the drive continues past under passes strewn with rubbish, overloaded bikes, donkeys, carts and vans, past street vendors and people trying to make a living.
The pyramids of Giza come into sight and Wael warns/advises us how to deal with the street vendors, suitably nervous we exit the jeep hands firmly in pockets to prevent anyone selling me anything. The pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus are awe-inspiring and justifiably one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the stones are as tall as a man and to see the top you have to lean backwards. Having seen the first and biggest pyramid of Cheops, we move on to the viewpoint to take fun pictures of all three of the pyramids of course trying to dodge the many other tourist parties there, it’s not easy. And finally that iconic adventure we all think of a camel ride!

Camel ride

Now last time I rode a camel and there has only been one other time it involved a nice “basket” type chair and Dave on the other side. This time I’m going to need to sit astride it, on my own! I’m really not sure about this and as soon as the camel rises and sets off I’m even less confident. Staying in the saddle with it walking was enough of a challenge but with it trotting downhill and me bouncing around like an over filled sack of spuds on its back no wonder my camel is unhappy. The only way it can let someone know its unhappy is by trying to nibble Dave’s ankles and I’m probably not helping by squealing! The camel driver, not sure what he should be called does get some great pictures of us all but none with my hands removed from the pommel!

Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren & Mycerinus

The sphinx

Maria & Rob

The rest of the daytime is occupied with trips to a papyrus factory and an Egyptian cotton shop which randomly is guarded by policeman with ancient looking guns in an area that resembles Beirut. The penultimate event of the day is the sound and light show at the pyramids of Giza, is sparsely attended and stray cats and dogs roam around the seats. The lights and visual representations of Tutankhamun on the sphinx are particularly eerie and lifelike. At the end it’s a mad dash in the jeep to The British Club in Maardi to watch another Arsenal game, unfortunately not a good result. The ensuing taxi ride home in a car that smelt alarmingly of petrol driven by a driver who steered with his knee while operating his phone with both hands at 70 mph did nothing for our nerves.

Sound & Light show