Egypt
We flew out of Melbourne at 9:15pm Friday 24th May with an initial 14 hour flight to Dubai. As usual I didn't sleep very well or very long on the plane but after a 3 hour lay over and another 3 hour flight we arrived in Cairo.
Upon check-in at the Holiday Inn we found we had been upgraded to a Nile River view room (from a city view) and can also see the pyramids from our balcony. Though a little hazy it was awesome seeing them for the first time.
A quick unpack and then we went to the National Egyptian Museum of Civilization. Although we go there with our tour in a few days time, apparently they only take you to the Hall of Mummies. We were keen to see what else was there, but in particular Tutankhamun's mask. Unfortunately you weren't allowed to take photos of the mask, but it was as spectacular as we hoped. We spent a little over 2 hours there and saw many sarcophagii and many other masks and trinkets. Strangely we couldn't find the Hall of mummies, so it will be interesting to see where they take us on Tuesday.
Very early night, in bed by 8:30.
Sunday dawned and after waking at 5:30 then going back to sleep, we eventually got up around 7:30. After a buffet breakfast we headed out to the Khan el-Khalili market via a 'limosine' (Really a 4 door Suzuki}. This market is meant to be an attraction, similar to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The reality was more of Vic market but spread along streets rather than under cover. We found it interesting but probably not worth the trip. Havin g said that, Trace did by a little trinket, a Horus Coptic jar. It was 'priced' at 2000 EGP (Egyptian pounds) which around $65. It was certainly not worth that, so we offered 500 - which was accepted as we walked out of the store. Fair chance it still isn't worth that even, but Trace was happy.
Our plan was to walk back to the hotel via a few different places and despite the forecast (high 30's) headed off. First stop was a little over an hour away (and 4km), the Citadel Saladin. As we walked along we came across a park called Al Azhar park. It looked very nice and decided to go in. Entrance tickets were 40 EGP each ($1.30) but then they wanted Trace to pay another 300EGP for her SLR camera!. We were about to walk away when they said we could go in if we promised not to use the camera. We duly promised - but used the camera on the phone a couple of times instead. It seemed that was fine as others were (We did see a sign later at a different attraction saying phones were ok but 'cameras' were not. We think an SLR marks you as a 'professional' Stupid really. The gardens were a nice oasis, and there were several small man made fountains and waterfalls.
The Citadel is a fort and as such is high on a hill, making the walk that much more difficult. It dates from the 13th Century and was reasonably imposing, however we coudn't go inside anything as it was all closed or being renovated. There is a mosque as part of the complex and we were allowed in there. Trace didn't need a headcovering inside but we did have to remove our shoes. It was similar to the mosques in Istanbul though not as colourful.
Also within the complex was the National Military Museum. This had several cannons and various vehicles from the two World Wars, outside and more inside. How much more? No idea as this time when they wanted an SLR camera fee we simply walked away.
The Coptic Museum and Hanging church were a further 5km away. We took a bit over an hour to get to these and found the Coptic Museum pretty interesting. They had a lot of antiquities dating back as early as the 4th Century (coins) and many tapestries from the 13th Century. The Hanging Church was basically next door, but as it seemed to be a working church, with many parisioners inside, we didn't stay long. Earlier after the Coptic Churchh we sat and enjoyed an ice cream and a drink. When Trace unwrapped hers she noticed a label that mine didn't have. Using Google Translate we found that we had won a Fruit Icy Pole. When I went to redeem it the shopkeeper found it quite amusing that a non Egyptian had won - but she gave it to us anyway.
Leaving here to head home, Google maps took us into some very dodgy, extremely poor parts of Cairo. After about 10 minutes we decided to U turn and head back to where we started. Given the heat and general tiredness from walking we chose to get a tuk tuk instead. We told him where we were staying and I asked twice if he knew where it was. Of course he said yes and I got a price (200EGP - $6.50) About 5 minutes in he asked if I had the hotel on GPS and borrowed my phone - so he didn't know where we were going. Anyway the GPS helped and off we went, with music blaring and him honking the horn in time with it. It was quite fun - until he said Tuk Tuks weren't allowed past a certain bridge and he wouldn't be able to take us all the way. We had come about half way and were still 3km from the hotel. I paid him the full 200, but we weren't overly surprised to see other Tuk Tuks further along the road.
We were hoping to find a 'local' restaurant for tea, but after a lot of searching with no success, ended up with KFC :( After returning to the Hotel we met our tour group, made up of 14 Aussies and 2 Kiwis. Hopefully they are a fun group.
Wonderful photos!!
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