The Great Pyramids of Giza

Of course one of the reasons anyone goes to Cairo is to visit the pyramids, and so – aboard our camels ( and a pony for Kate), with our trusty 15 year old guide and 10 year old camel puller, we made our way to the 3 Great Pyramids and the 6 lesser ones. No routine tourist tour this one, we are on our own with our junior guide.

Now riding a camel gives you a totally different perspective. It’s up high and there is lots to see. Let me also agree with our friend Barb Notte, who told us before we left for Cairo that camels raise halitosis to a totally new level of disgusting! – And let’s not even mention the other end!

The pyramids are right on the edge of the city. In fact, I’m sure that were the reserve not fenced, the housing would go right up to (& probably over) them. The trek is a long one, but well worth it. Sights a plenty in the local streets and along the way inside the reserve. After the first 15 minutes or so we have adjusted to the pace and the motion and are happily taking snaps of all and sundry.

Inside the reserve, we approach the pyramids. They’re quite awesome really. So big, so old, so well preserved, and you wonder how they did it.

By the time we reach them, it is dusk and the reserve is supposed to be closed. We can only catch a distant glimpse of the Sphinx on our way back. All along the way, the Tourist and Antiquities Police use the opportunity to give our guide a hard time and enhance their income. But it’s all part of the game and we return tired, dusty and so very glad of the experience.

The same evening we go to dinner on the a cruise boat on the Nile, complete with a generously proportioned belly dancer and floor show. Of course, never backward in coming forward, two of the sheik’s hareem end up as part of the show, leading the dance around the boat.

We sleep well.