Mira and Milan's Excellent Adventure: Cairo.... the details

Trip started off with 2 flights to get to Cairo. We then made our way to the hotel which was the Mena House Oberoi which overlooks the Giza Pyramids. Soon after we got settled into the room, we realized that Vim accidentally picked up the wrong bag. Now since this was a long trip with many stops, we decided for each person to have their own bag.... so, now guess who's bag got caught up in the mix-up.... any guesses??? Yep, the person that caused the mix up was the victim (Vim)!! He then had to make his way back to the airport and try to switch bags.... in the end (by the next morning) it was all sorted out and Vim had his bag. Phew....

The first day we just relaxed at the hotel. Our friends were recovering from jet-lag since they travelled across many time zones.

Day 2 we took a trip to the pyramids. We started with a horse and carriage ride from the city center of Giza to the main Giza pyramids, these pyramids are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that are essentially still intact. It was breathtaking!!!! The main pyramid was in Giza was thought to have been built around 2551 BC. It took 20 years to build. The pyramid remained the tallest man made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, only until the Lincoln Cathedral was built in 1300. Really hard to believe how OLD it is!!! How they were actually built and with such precision is still being debated. From there we went to see the Sphinx. There are many theories on who built the sphinx, and when it was actually built, but fact remains... it is the worlds largest and oldest statue... How about that for a day's touring!

Day 3 we went to Memphis (no, not Tennessee!!) to see the statues of the Ramses and we also went to see the Sakkara Pyramids. This was nice, but not nearly as amazing as the Giza Pyramids

Day 4 we went to see the Citadel and Egypt Museum. The Citadel is the Palace area that was used by the rulers during the 1300's. At the Egypt Museum we were able to see pieces that were in King Tut's tomb including the famous 'gold king tut's mask'.. Did you know King Tut was only 9 when we was named king. He served for 10 years. Can you imagine that... Mira is 9... could she run a country??? .

On our many journeys thru the city we would pass over the Nile River as it cuts thru Cairo.

Day 5 we were off to Sharm el Sheik.

Cairo in a nutshell is a bit like India. The streets are littered with garbage. Drivers are crazy, they don't follow any traffic rules. There are a lot of pedestrians on the road, that do not follow simple pedestrian rules. The shop owners (and cab drivers) will try to take you a ride if you are not on guard.
In many ways, we felt at home!! : )

The next blog will pick up from Sharm el Sheik.