Who has been to the Pyramids?

[JoceAndChris]

Chris is teasing me so much - saying I'm going to have to crawl along dark tunnels and squeeze into tiny, insect laden chambers where there is no light and he's not taking no for an answer. Is it true? ( I suffer from claustrophobia. )

I'm excited, though, about these Pyramids - apparently stone is laid so tightly upon stone that even after all these years you can't squeeze a piece of paper between them, and the outer walls all measure the same apart from a discrepancy of a few inches.

After the Pyramids ( on Monday), and of course the Sphinx, we'll be travelling to Luxor for The Temple of Amun, which is so colossal it appears infinite. This temple took 1300 years to build, and contains columns that are so big 50 adults can stand on one. It rather puts my little efforts on this house into perspective.

Hughes will be holidaying here, just stocking up the wine cellar for him. ( and selecting a nice frog for the bed )

 

[benmc]

I'm going to have to crawl along dark tunnels and squeeze into small, where there is limited light - This is the reality. I visited a couple of years ago

 

[skier-hughes]

It depends on which pyramid you enter, some have a bit more room than othes, but all are a tight squeeze. Some of them you can get into on your hands and knees!

Remember they weren't built as a tourist attraction for people 2' taller than those building them.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh heavens, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to have to do some practising in the roof void. I'm only five feet, but have other attributes that cancel this advantage out.

 

[Matt Green]

Chris is teasing me so much - saying I'm going to have to crawl along dark tunnels and squeeze into tiny, insect laden chambers where there is no light and he's not taking no for an answer. Is it true?

Sign me up. I like scarab beetles.

Oh heavens, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to have to do some practising in the roof void. I'm only five feet, but have other attributes that cancel this advantage out.

I'm sure your feet can't be that much larger than is average.


M.

 

[Pford75]

I've been lucky enough to spend 8 months living in Cairo in my prior job. During my last visit to the pyramids, the access was ok...but they do seem to change it regularly. My tip...take your own wind up torch as you will see a lot more. Personally I prefer the Mastaba at Saqqara to the Great Pyramid. If you do visit Saqqara, you can usually 'persuade' someone to give you a look around one of the tombs (which are not generally open to everyone.

Whilst in Cairo, do try to visit the Mena House (near pyramids) for tea....utterly charming and a hotel from a bygone age.

Let me know if you want any more info on Cairo.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Matt - thanks. Reassuring as ever. :lol:

Thanks Pford, that's very useful. We'll take a torch then. Mena House looks exquisite, and maybe not very far from our hotel- Four Seasons at the First Residence.

Will I be OK in little heels? ( I never wear trainers) Is buying a rug in Cairo a silly idea? Do they have garden sphinxes?

 

[christianb]

I agree with Pford about Mena House. Fabulous place. Loads of historic icons went there (Churchill, Montgomery and others) while Charlton Heston used to ride his horse through the grounds after filming The Ten Commandments.

As for the pyrameeds (as the locals would call them), the tunnels are pretty pokey. But if you don't go in you really won't be missing a massive amount - go see the Solar Boat next to the Great Pyramid if you want to clap eyes on something really astounding. Or head down to Luxor and go to the Valley of the Kings... the artwork in some of the tombs looks like it was done last week.

 

[Carol]

Try to get down to the Valley of the Kings Joce. We got up very early and crossed the Nile at sunrise, then trekked up over the mountains on the footpath on which the original builders went to work. Much more evocative than a tour bus, though more vertigo. Think you might need something other than heels, what about something non-trainerish from Ecco? We walked miles through temples and tombs, some are a bit of a squash but I only chickened out of one through claustrophobia. But am 5' 6'' and not a spindly specimen.

Would agree about Sakkara, tombs were much more impressive and empty of tourists (apart from our party!) and the Coptic Christian quarter of Cairo which was fascinating. We also loved the slightly bonkers Mummification museum in Luxor. And the Temples at Karnak and Philae and ...and...

Very envious and will think of you as I do phonics and maths with my class on Monday!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Haven't done the pyramids yet, but went down the Nile a few years ago, visiting most temples, Valley of the Kings, etc. Let me know if you want any advice on those areas - it is utterly mindblowing. If you want to buy a carpet, then it is an experience not to be missed; but make sure you do some research first and know what you're looking at/after. Set aside time - the deal is as important as the carpet.

My top tips for Egypt are:

a) wear very sensible shoes (no heels - get over your trainerphobia) - you will walk a very long way, in very dry, dusty, hard conditions;
b) avoid middle of the day entirely; drink plenty, etc. 8)
c) have very good guidebook with you - read up before you go and each night.
d) take plenty of camera memory.
e) If caught in a terrorist gun-battle, (as those tourists were back in the 90's), hit the deck fast and stay there :shock: Most of those killed were caught in the crossfire as the Egyptians police opened up with automatic weapons in all directions. SO19 they ain't!
f) If Chris gets offered more than a couple of camels for you, it is a good deal. But he'll need to fence that field first! :lol:

Have a wonderful time. :mrgreen: Has Gareth got a long list of jobs to do?

 

[JoceAndChris]

I hope Gareth gets a proper rest in between chasing the chickens over the fields, being beaten up by the cat, writing for SPAB and designing my Hermitage.

a) wear very sensible shoes (no heels - get over your trainerphobia) - you will walk a very long way, in very dry, dusty, hard conditions;

Think you might need something other than heels, what about something non-trainerish from Ecco? We walked miles through temples and tombs,

I can't put this footwear with my long skirts, silk blouses, parasol, picture hat, and lace gloves! What did Howard Carter have on his feet? I suppose I could just about consider a little delicate brogue type shoe, perhaps with a buckle like the Wife of Bath.

But I'm very impressed with the intrepid spirit of adventure above, energy and curiosity. I'm the worst tourist in the world, won't get up til 11, need a leisurely lunch with wine, and a siesta at 5.30. This gives a tiny window of opportunity for a gentle spot of sightseeing, and I will try to see some of the lovely places you mention! Fortunately, Chris is just the same.

c) have very good guidebook with you - read up before you go and each night.
d) take plenty of camera memory.

Yes, thank you - that's in place.

If you want to buy a carpet, then it is an experience not to be missed; but make sure you do some research first and know what you're looking at/after. Set aside time - the deal is as important as the carpet.

I'd better do some reading on this, we're appalling bargainers - I'm not convinced there's any advantage to getting one in John Lewis.

f) If Chris gets offered more than a couple of camels for you, it is a good deal. But he'll need to fence that field first!

:lol: I hope he won't swap me so readily, who would iron his shirts or make his tea?

Or head down to Luxor and go to the Valley of the Kings... the artwork in some of the tombs looks like it was done last week.

I'm so excited about this. I'm glad our Luxor section is the longest now.

 

[Pford75]

On my fairly frequent visits to Cairo, I absolutely have to indulge my Tabouleh addiction (made fresh and one of the authentic experiences)... If you are feeling adventurous, then a Shisha is worth a try.

To avoid the heat in the middle of the day, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo is worth a visit.

Carpet buying can be very hit and miss. So many of them are now 'industrial' operations designed for the unwary tourist and coupled with high pressure selling. But there are still some genuine artisans around. The same is true of the perfume shops and the papyrus shops. Some gems, but a lot of overpriced tat.

There is a "sound and light" show at the Pyramids/sphinx in the evenings. Personally, I though it was dull and wouldn't recommend, but others have enjoyed it. If you are staying in Cairo overnight, I would recommend you eat away from the 4 seasons - the quality is great, but it feels like any other 'hotel restaurant' around the world. There is an Indian restaurant in the Mena House (name escapes me) which is fantastic and has so much more personality. Alternatively, seek something down on the banks of the Nile.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Pford! Sounds wonderful. We have three nights in Cairo, followed by 5 nights in Luxor, so will have time for dinner at the Mena, which looks glorious in the photos. I kind of wish we'd booked to stay there now, but I fell in love with the piccy of the Tea Lounge in The Four Seasons http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/cairo/hotels/568, plus having very fond memories of The Four Seasons in Chiang Mai. The Oberoi chain is also amazing though, perhaps the most opulent you'll find? I remember staying in the The Oberoi by the Taj Mahal for a few days, it was like being a very spoilt bird of paradise in a golden cage - you weren't allowed out!

You've put me off the carpet buying even more! :lol:

If you are feeling adventurous, then a Shisha is worth a try.

:shock: :lol: I don't think I'm that adventurous!

 

[Flyfisher]

If you want to buy a carpet, then it is an experience not to be missed; but make sure you do some research first and know what you're looking at/after. Set aside time - the deal is as important as the carpet.

I'd better do some reading on this, we're appalling bargainers - I'm not convinced there's any advantage to getting one in John Lewis.

We once watched a couple discussing a carpet in Turkey. We they asked about getting it back to the UK they were told it was no problem as they would supply from their warehouse in Watford. :lol:

Have a fantastic time.

 

[another_richard]

If you are accosted by locals say this:

"Ana mish kawaga" essentially means I am not a tourist. I used to say it in my days as an archaeology student.

 

[skier-hughes]

We bought a didgeiredoo from Australia, cost about £25 out there, and £80 to airmail home

 

[JoceAndChris]

I bought a table, cunningly wrought like a leopard, in South Africa. I'm still waiting for it to arrive. ( been waiting ten years)

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Joce - I think you should give them a ring... I think it may have been delayed somewhere. :wink:

 

[biffvernon]

There are quite a lot of nice things to look at within the British Isles. And they don't involve air travel. :wink:

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Quite right Biff - but there are some amazing sights outside these shores which shouldn't be missed if possible... Egypt is amongst those. Much of Italy too, the Aztecs and Incas.

And if we don't go before peak oil, we may never see them. :wink: (sorry!)