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Spring in Egypt Part 3 - Giza


The very first thing that come into a normal person's mind (like mine!) when they think of Egypt are usually mummies and the (Giza) pyramids. This was why I was quite excited about going to Giza Pyramid complex after visiting Saqqara in the morning. Unlike in Saqqara, the background information for the Giza Pyramids were given in our air conditioned bus. Not that it was hot outside, but the sun was suuuper bright. The first spot we were dropped off at was right by the Great Pyramid.

As I've mentioned in my previous post, the owner of the Great Pyramid in Giza is called Khufu, son of Sneferu the owner of the Dahshur bent pyramid. Have I mentioned that the ancient Egyptians started building the tombs of their Pharaohs as soon as they reign and stop building on the day they die? In other words, Pharaohs who don't reign for very long won't have large nor elaborate tombs.




As the name suggests, the Great Pyramid is the largest, tallest pyramid ever discovered, and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today. It used to have smooth, polished limestone facade on all four sides but only some of the facade at the bottom is left now. It does not have the pointy tip anymore either, but what is exposed now give us a glimpse of how amazing this structure is. Large rocks stacked all the way up, but with chambers inside. To think that this was built about 4600 years ago! Someone sponsored by a German company tried to replicate this construction only to come to conclusion that with our current knowledge, technology, and materials, it is IMPOSSIBLE. Just look at the size of the rock compared to Miss Kiki in this picture below!

On the side of the Great Pyramid

On the side of the Great Pyramid




From where we stood at the foot of the Great Pyramid, we were able to see the second largest pyramid in Giza: Khafre Pyramid. This pyramid stands out as the lime stone facade are still clearly visible near toe pointy top of the pyramid.











We decided to walk closer to the Khafre Pyramid, further away from the crowd. I must mention here that there are many other tourists were there to visit, some of which probably don't see a lot of Asian faces. Just like how DH often gets asked for a picture with in Indonesia, in Egypt we found that a lot of people (we're not sure where they're from) asked to take a picture with me, Miss Kiki, and my friend. The first one happened here at the pyramid complex, and then it happened multiple times afterwards on other places. :D







View from Khafre Pyramid
When our free time was up, we hopped back on the bus and it took us to a higher ground where we could see the three large pyramids of Giza in a row. We took group pictures here and then Miss Kiki went on her lifelong dream of riding a camel. DH went and walked along beside her and her camel she named Sunbeam. Poor DH got allergic reactions from Sunbeam though... 

































While waiting, my friend and I took the opportunity to snap some more fun pictures with the pyramids. It's an experience of a lifetime after all! 









And of course, I wore the appropriate earrings for this occasion! It was a beautiful, bright spring day. The air was cool but the sun was so bright it gave me a tan in no time. The funny thing is, it doesn't make my skin red and burnt like our equator sun usually does. There my skin just turned darker without the painful process!










Our next stop was the Sphynx area. We went through the intricately designed and constructed embalming room, such effort for a room only to be used once in forever. The floor was made from giant pieces of Alabaster marble, and the walls were from giant pieces of granite.

Alabaster Marble

Granite



Then we took some pictures with the noseless Sphynx. There were a few theories as to how the Sphynx lost its nose but no one knows which is true.



























We were starving after the Sphynx and thankfully we were taken for lunch right after. We had a buffet lunch that was quite good, but I forgot to take pictures...

After lunch, we were taken to a store that sold essential oils extracted in the traditional way. Squeezed and then buried in a barrel for a few months to evaporate the water. They claimed that the store is licensed by the government and they guarantee the quality. Sorry, no pictures from here either.

Finally we went back to our hotel early in the evening and we had dinner at the hotel.










That was it for Giza! Please stay tuned for my next post about Aswan.




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