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| Hantour - Local Carriage in Cairo |
The time has come to explore the northern part of Africa. It is decided that Cairo will be the first stop in this North African country of Egypt.
Why Egypt you ask?
Egypt has so much history and has a lot of stories to tell...the Nile, the Sphinx, the Pyramids, and the local people... I want to see it all!
I landed in the early afternoon at the Cairo International Airport from Larnaca, Cyprus. Although it was only a short one hour trip between the two countries, my family and I were a bit tired due to the hectic wandering previously done in Larnaca. I fell in the tourist queue for immigration and the bodies in front of me seemed to be moving very slowly. Then I noticed a couple of people turning back and as they were directed to pay the fees in another booth before lining up again for the immigration officer. I did not wait to be told and did not waste my time so I went to the same window where the other tourists were going. There were no signs indicating that paying for the visa was separate from the stamping of visa. I have not seen this procedure in other countries. You will be surprised because when I went back to the line to have my turn, it did not take long as the officer asked me two questions, 'how long are you staying here' and 'where are you going after Egypt, he mused -- 'enjoy your stay'. Isn't that nice? It took less than five minutes. Now I am ready to leave the airport. Wait! There are a bunch of people coming my way, but I remembered that I did not pre-arrange for someone to pick me up. Oh well, that must have been the reason. Taxi drivers -- maybe ten, are all talking to me at the same time. I felt uncomfortable but assured myself that it must be the Egyptian way. But of course I gave in to only one of the drivers. I heard them arguing about who spoke to me first. I knew this because I have lived in an Arab country. That was funny I quipped with a grin.
After such hullabaloo at the airport, we were now on our way to my hotel, Pharaoh Egypt located in the modern area of the city of Cairo. The hotel is good enough for us, a family of three. As soon as I settle in the room, I start scouring the amenities that I may enjoy. Yes, there is a room that can be used for computer-less guests for a fee. I went to the roof-top pool and admired the views of the pyramids and the Cairo tower. Very nice view, I quipped. I started enjoying the cold drink which I just ordered from the restaurant a few metres away.
I arranged for a driver cum tour guide for the next 4 days in the city and it was easy. I received confirmation in fifteen minutes at the Front Desk. I started to walk the side streets, going back and forth until I lost my way which was fun as the locals were very friendly. I was content with walking around the neighbourhood for the rest of the day.
It was almost midnight when I checked my watch, so I thought it was time to go to bed, back to the hotel.
I spent a tour with the same tour guide in different places for my last three days. We did the Nile River cruise in Cairo, walked around the city of Memphis, Giza, and Sakkara or Saqqara.
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| Belly Dancer in the Nile River Cruise |
Belly Dancing - Belly dancing is part of Egyptian culture. The eastern dance which is called as raqs sharqi is performed almost everywhere in Egypt (weddings, birthdays, and other holidays). In Cairo, belly dancers performed during our cruise.
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| Egyptian Male Dancer - Whirling Dervishes |
Whirling Dervishes - An amazing and unique way of dancing! This is an Egyptian traditional dance that is performed only by men. The dancer keeps on spinning from start to end which lasts for at least 20 to 30 minutes. He keeps on pulling layers of his costume and in the end - one of the layers open up like a lantern. Whew! It looks so tiring! But the way I look at it -- he definitely is enjoying it from start to finish. It is interesting to see these male dance moves which are very different from any other Egyptian dance that I have seen before. Very colourful!
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| Old Buildings in Cairo - Bazaar & Perfumery |
Buildings in Cairo to Wonder About....There are a couple of buildings in Old Cairo which look very old and that I cannot help but think if these were built more than 100 years ago. Two of my photos have signs of a bazaar, a museum, a papyrus, and a perfumery. I took the pictures when I was in the city of Giza touring the pyramids and sphinx. These buildings caught my attention and I was tempted to take some shots. Are they still operational, I asked? No one heard me. Maybe you know if it is. Well, I can see clotheslines on the rooftop so I concluded people live there. Can't help but think of checking all these buildings next time I visit Cairo. They could already be part of the Egyptian history.
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| Flower in Cairo - Hibiscus |
Flowers in Cairo - We have this type of flowers in my country of origin and love cutting them from the stem and using it as a decorative arrangement for the Mayflower festival. As a kid, we used them to make blowing bubbles. We would collect them, mince them and get the sticky juice with a little mixture of water. That was how we made bubbles for free. I cannot remember the name of the flower, but I am sure it is in the family of hibiscus, very pretty, I would say!
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| Unique FloorTiles in Saqqara |
Unique Floor Tiles - As soon as we stepped into the entrance of the Sakkara Nest Restaurant, the pathway floor caught my attention. Decorative tiles of different shapes and colours were arranged unevenly which made it unique and attractive. I am sure you will agree with me that though it may look simple -- to me, this work of art deserves recognition. I have not seen this type of art work in my previous tours. Full of colours!
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| Tour Bus in Cairo |
Tour Bus in Cairo - There are many places in Cairo that are too historical to miss. There are also many ways to get around and visit them. There are private/rented cars, taxi, boat, buses and tourist buses. My advice to you: Don't ever drive a rented car in Cairo. It is dangerous for a tourist to drive. I have seen it!
Car with a Driver - I suggest hiring a car with a local driver or better still -- a tour bus if you want company. There is so much to see in this Melting Pot of Ancient and Modern Egyptian civilizations. The list goes on and on and on...... Some of them I listed for you to consider on your next trip to Egypt: *Antiquities Museum *Khan el-Khalili Bazaar *Citadel *Nile River *Pyramids.
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| Yellow Taxi in Cairo |
A Taxi if you Want - Seems to me that Cairo taxis have different colours but black & white looks very popular especially in Giza City. If you are travelling to the Khan el-Khalili or any museum which is close or near your hotel, then I suggest you take a Black & White taxi. Most taxi drivers are good and friendly - though I guess quite a few are not. I used a private car with a driver cum tour guide during my stay in Cairo but I made use of the Black & White taxi quite a few times for short distances and to Cairo International Airport. One more thing, Black & White taxi is inexpensive.
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| Ramses Train Station in Cairo |
Ramses Train Station - I purchased my train ticket from this train station in Cairo a day before my round trip to Alexandria. Not too many people are lined up to buy tickets. It is very easy to buy train tickets. The only not-so-good thing here is how to find parking. There is no place to park the car although I chose to go there in the early evening. The Ramses Railway Station is the main railway in Cairo and used to be called Misr Station. The building I posted here was built in 1892, so there is no point of wondering why it looks so old. It is a huge building though.
Egypt Air - A "Used to Be" -- We fly via Egypt Air from Larnaca, Cyprus to Cairo and from Cairo to U.S.A. Flying with Egypt Air nowadays is a nightmare. I used to fly with this airline countless of times before while I was in the Middle East. It was always a pleasant trip. Ground and flight staff were personable and polite. The flight attendants had a very attractive uniform with a very unique headdress. I did not see that on my latest flight with the airlines and probably my last flight with Egypt Air. Their personalities, their politeness, and their excellent customer service are a "Used to Be." I cannot put a not-so-good experience in detail both during the flight and on the ground as it is hard to bear. I can't believe, until now, that I stayed at the Cairo Airport with my family for more than a day out of no fault of mine. I asked for hotel accommodation, but it did not happen. Obviously, it affected all my connecting flights. But still, I am flying back to Egypt to discover more places that I did not have a chance to visit. I wish I could find other airlines better than Egypt Air. If ever, I will find a way to not fly Egypt Air. It was an experience I will never forget.
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| Sakkara Nest Restaurant in Saqqara |
Sakkara Nest Restaurant - simple Egyptian dishes. The food is presented as a buffet arranged on a long table around one side of the outdoor restaurant. The food is tasty...and spicy (which I like). Local desserts are sweet (as always!)...as in very sweet! There is also a selection of fresh local fruits. Ambiance is excellent.
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| Egyptian Women Baking Local Pita Bread |
Local Pita Bread - I like this Egyptian local bread, it is very tasty. I had a chance to witness the local women punch down the dough, knead, and then rest briefly ready to be shaped. This bread is made round and flattened, then put in an outdoor traditional concrete oven. In a few minutes it is ready to be served fresh and appetizing. Try it when you visit Sakkara.
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| Egyptian Waiter in Sakkara |
Egyptian Waiters - It is not only the excellent food that is served which is important. We love the food in Sakkara and we love the way the waiters attended to what we needed on the table. The food is presented as buffet but as soon as the waiter sees us looking around and senses that we need something, he immediately comes to our table. Ahmed is one of the waiters in a restaurant in Sakkara. He is very friendly, and bet he will make you feel comfortable; he is a very pleasant person.
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| Pharaoh Egypt Hotel & Restaurant in Cairo |
Pharaoh Egypt Hotel & Restaurant - This hotel offers continental breakfast in one of the lower level restaurants which was presented in a manner that looks appetizing. The decor is Egyptian, which I like and the ambiance is good enough. The breakfast is the same everyday and there are no choices for the three nights of my stay. Coffee is unlimited but bread is not toasted. There is also the King Tut Restaurant at the rooftop of the hotel. We tried fried Tilapia that was served at the dinner table. Thank you very much to the two Filipino men who treated us for dinner. They work in Cairo and are regular patrons of the hotel. Overall, the food served is not extraordinary!
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| Egyptian Museum in Cairo |
Egyptian Museum - Notice the pictures of the museum I posted here? They were all taken by me outside as the museum does not allow photography inside. I guess it is true in all museums all over the world. There are some that allow it, but it is very rare. You will also see some of the historical treasures taken in the perimeter of this museum. This will give you an idea on what to expect here. Inside are the many fabulous treasures from the days of the pharaohs. You will find preserved mummies and items during Alexander the Great empire, Egyptian queen, Cleopatra VII and her husband Mark Antony. The most famous of the artifacts is the death mask of Tutankhamun. King Tutankhamun (or King Tut) is an Egyptian king whose grave was intact and found to have a lot of treasures like gold and other precious items. If you are really into museums, you will spend almost a day scrutinizing each and every collection which ranges from pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman period. Allow more than half a day to do this.
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| Wall Carvings at the Egyptian Museum-Cairo |
Walls of the Museum - Oh yes, you will notice a considerable amount of statues and artifacts spread in front of the building. One thing that amazes me is the designs carved on the walls. These unique designs always catch my attention as they are very detailed and interesting. Go visit the Egyptian museum and see for yourself. I bet, you too will admire these incredible creations. The address is Midan El Tahrir, Cairo 11557, not far from Nile Hilton Hotel.
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| View of the Cairo Tower |
Cairo Tower - The tower is situated in Zamalek district on Gezira Island in the Nile River of Cairo city centre. It looks like an ordinary free-standing structure during the day. It is designed like a latticework tube and is like a lotus plant that fans out slightly on the top where you will find the observation deck and a restaurant. The best time to visit the tower is when the sun sets because it is the time when the lights all around starts twinkling. At night, it looks amazing and it is full of colours! Although I have seen the tower at night with its purple-light colours, I did not have the chance to take a photo of this beautiful scene. Nevertheless, it is worth seeing.
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| Student Workers at Carpet School in Memphis |
Carpet School in Memphis - In the city of Memphis, you will find many - as in many schools for carpet making. I know, because my tour guide passed about five or six schools and asked me to let him know if I want to go stop by and have a glimpse of the carpet making in Egypt. I chose the Pyramid Carpet School. We were greeted by the Manager or they call him Master who sat on the terrace of the school. He offered us Egyptian tea as soon as we entered a big room with threads &/or silk on all sides. I was surprised as the students &/or workers were very young. Boys and girls from maybe 12-20 years of age happily greeted us. Each one of them tried to convince us to sit beside them to show us the step by step process in carpet making.
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| Step Pyramid in Sakkara |
Step Pyramid in Sakkara - This pyramid is situated in South Sakkara. Though this is small in size compared to the pyramids of Giza, it is one of the most popular Egyptian monuments. The pyramid was first built with a large scale of limestone and served as a monumental royal tomb. History tells us that the pyramid complex was built for Horus Netjerikhet or known as Djoser and is believed to be the oldest of all Egypt's pyramids.
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| Pyramid Complex in Sakkara |
Pyramid Complex in Sakkara - The complex of Sakkara is crowded with burials which seems to have been used many times and is riddled with tombs and galleries. The main attraction and the most famous monument in the complex is the step pyramid of Djoser. There are many pyramids in the complex. Some are still there and some are just ruined heap of rubble. Few of these are: The Mastaba el-Faraun - 4th Dynasty; Pyramid of Userkaf - 5th Dynasty; The Pyramid of Unas - Late 5th Dynasty; and the Pyramid of Pepi II - 6th Dynasty.
Nile River Cruise in Cairo - I chose to have dinner at the Nile River Cruise on my first visit to Cairo. On my next, I would prefer lunch. Why? At least I can see the river. There's nothing I can see outside, it was dark and the entertainment lounge was enclosed. There was entertainment though. Singers, dancers have shown their wares. Dinner was buffet but not much selection.
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| Pyramid at Giza City |
Pyramids of Giza - When we talk about Egypt, we always have in mind the pyramids. This is due to the fact that this country is famous for this. There are more than 90 pyramids in Egypt and the most famous are the Pyramids in Giza. There are three main pyramids in Giza and they are the Pyramid of Cheops, Pyramid of Chephren, and the Pyramid of Mycerinus. Just some precautionary measures: If you really want to go inside the Pyramid, you have to be ready to pass thru a long narrow corridor with very low roof that you have to bend down all the way to reach the burial chamber. If you are ready for this, go ahead!
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| Golden Eagle Papyrus Giza |
Golden Eagle Papyrus: Special Papyrus for Special Price - On our way to Sakkara sightseeing, our tour guide asked us if we want to have a look at a factory of papyrus. We dropped by and were greeted by an assigned salesman. We did not waste time we realized that we were in front of a table with stems of the plant used in making papyrus. The person demonstrated the basic procedure. Then he gave us a piece of paper, go around and see the finished product with paintings. All the paintings are priced, most are expensive, up to thousand of dollars. It did not take us 15 minutes to go around. I thought I could not afford to buy this kind of stuff as they were so expensive. They might be genuine, but it was not my idea of shopping. Well, if you think you want an experience, ask your tour guide to take you to this store and you will see what I am talking about. The name of the store is Golden Eagle Papyrus as you can see in the photos I posted here. I myself did not buy any. I cannot afford it. I bought ten of my papyrus in the market. It is inexpensive!
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| Khan el-Khalili Market in Cairo |
Khan el-Khalili, The Market for Egypt Lovers -- The souk (market) in the Old City of Cairo is the Khan el-Khalili. It is considered a major tourist attraction in the city. We went there at night time and it was very crowded. I wondered how it would look during the day. Yes, you can purchase all kinds of souvenirs here. Most stores have small spaces that the seller has no place to stay inside. They just let customers to come in and choose their wares. When you are ready to pay, the seller goes inside and collects the money; a very interesting way of running a business. I bought a lot of papyrus, Egyptian t-shirts, lamps, decorative magnets, and many other items. I believe the price is right. The local sellers are mostly friendly. I did not encounter aggressive ones. You should include this in your itinerary. It is a good experience. The market is situated in Al Azher Street., Cairo.
Cairo is a history and will remain a history to me. The city is full of excitement and there is never a minute lost when we were touring the metropolis. This trip was amazing, challenging, and compelling, all at once. I've seen some awesomely beautiful places, learned a whole lot of hugely impressive history and eaten heaps of cheap food.
This is the first time I blog about the city of Cairo. So, expect that I will be coming back to you for another series of my adventure. This city is surreal!
