Treasures at the Alexandria National Museum

At the Alexandria National Museum, I was pleasantly surprised to find that we could take pics inside! This was the first museum I've visited in Egypt that allowed pics to be taken, and I took full advantage of my freedom to click and shoot. The museum's pharaonic artifacts and treasures, particularly those found on dives off Alexandria's shores, and those influenced by various empires that ruled Egypt at one time, were truly beautiful.

After the museum, we headed to our hotel to check-in and relax after a day of sightseeing. The following day, we were to explore the Roman Amphitheater, Qaitbey Citadel, and the amazing state of the art Bibliotheca Alexandrina. All spread out on a string of blogs to come.

Week-end in Alexandria

A couple week-ends ago I hopped on a bus and gleefully left the smog and bustle of Cairo, for a wkend get-a-way to the seaport city of Alexandria just 2 hours away. Founded by Alexander the Great in 334 B.C., Alexandria became one of the most famous cities of the ancient world and the capital of Egypt for nearly a thousand years. Today, it serves as the country's largest seaport responsible for 80% of its imports and exports.


While there, I visited Montazah Palace Gardens Park which formerly belonged to the Mohamed Ali family, Egypt's last royal line, who ruled until 1952. Palace construction began in 1892, and was completed in 1932. Secured by a high gate surrounded by an expanse of manicured lawns and tended gardens, its northern point faces the Mediterranean Sea.

Afterwards, my tour bus headed downtown where lunch was served at a seafood restaurant down on the waterfront. My meal was a marvelously prepared fresh catch-of-the-day seasoned by Middle Eastern spices. The weather was beautiful and the smell of the sea pleasant and inviting.

The next stop was the Alexandria National Museum, which will be found on the next blog.

The Button Says It All

NOTE: I SHAMELESSLY STOLE THIS FROM MY SISTER'S BLOG. DEAL WITH IT. I HEART EDWARD!

Sakkara Step Pyramids

The following week-end after my "riders in the storm" adventure, I toured the Sakkara Step Pyramids located a half hour away from the pyamids of Giza. Remarkably, the Sakkara Pyramid is the oldest pyramid in the world. It sits on an ancient burial site that was called the "necropolis" of Memphis, which back then was the ancient capital of Egypt. Consequently, more step pyramids were unearthed nearby, and the group was dubbed the "Sakkara Step Pyramids"; the first pyramids for the first kings and queens of Egypt. These were ancient royals who meticulously prepared for their afterlife by building tombs that would ascend them to their sun god Amun-Re. While these "stairways to heaven" would later be eclipsed by more elaborate tombs found at Giza and the Valley of the Kings in Thebes (Luxor), they still remain in remarkable condition today. Ironically, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the ONLY "wonder" of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World left standing, but the Sakkara Step Pyramid, oldest pyramid still standing, never made the "wonders" list.

The Serapeum or gallery of tombs built across from the Sakkara Pyramid was discovered in 1851 and refurbished in the 1920s.

I couldn't resist taking pictures of these gaily saddled donkeys.

Archaelogical teams continue to unearth burial tombs that are a "work-in-progress" like the one pictured above.

The sky was a perfect contrast to the magesty of the Sakkara Step Pyramid.

Another archaelogical dig was found on the west side of the pyramid, with more step pyramids in the distance.

I found this delightful pair "copping a squat". Wouldn't it have been funny to find them smoking?

In front of the pyramids, were the remains of an ancient corral that was the genesis for today's "rodeos" and "bull fights". During pharaoh's reign, he had to prove his godlike power by taking a bull down with his strength, athletic prowess, skill, and mental cunning. Bear in mind that in ancient times, the bull was considered the most powerful beast on Earth, since it took several lions to bring one down.

Egyptologists believe that some pharaohs actually had servants challenge the bulls dressed as themselves to spare them from the dangerous sport. Talk about taking the "work smarter, not harder" approach too far!

As I left the grandfather of all pyramids behind me...

I couldn't help but be amused by the exiting sign above. At least it was true... I did have a "happy time".

A Horse is a Horse, of Course, of Course

The week-end after the Khan el Khalili bombing, I shook off my fears and headed towards the Giza Pyramids for a 1.5 hr horseback ride. The pic below was the entry to the stable's courtyard.

Horses were rounded up and matched to each person's riding abilities.

Look!!! An Asian Ray Charles on horseback! Yippee Kye Yaaaaay!

The desert was endless and colorless as always.

The ride started out pleasant and serene.

As the pyramids began to loom, we met up with "camel guy". He inquired if anyone wanted to swap their mounts for a camel, but left shortly when no one took him up on his offer.

We were 15 min out from reaching the pyramids before we began sensing a shift in the air, and a slight stirring in the sands.

Within a matter of minutes, African winds picked up and grew stronger as a swirling dust bowl descended upon us! I quickly secured my camera and turned my horse around, as everyone headed back early in wordless consent. We kept our heads down, trying to protect our faces from the swarms of sand. Thankfully our horses knew the way, because visibility was obscured as we clutched our reins in white-knuckled fashion; our adrenalines heightened by the temperaments of the storm. We arrived back to the stables safe and sound, with no regrets of cutting our ride short. We did, afterall, gained a good horse tail to tell.