We researched, planned, saved, and prayed that we could do one last big vacation before the kids started their careers. It all worked out, and it was such as amazing trip! First destination, Egypt! After several changed flights, we finally boarded the plane.
Our layover in London, England called for hot tea and a toast.
When we finally touched down in Egypt, I was worried whether we had all the correct documents and travel visas. But once we met our tour organizer waiting for us, my anxiety was put to ease. After the transfer to the hotel, dinner, and a good night's sleep, we got up early to be one of the first to arrive at the pyramids. Here's just outside the ticket booth as we looked with awe on one of the great wonders of the world!
Pictures don't do this justice. The Great Pyramid is HUGE!
We were allowed to climb on them at our own risk, but they didn't want us going too far up. Here's a close up view so you can get the size of each boulder. I'm absolutely amazed at how these were built using limited tools.
A family pic on the Great Pyramid.
Next to the Great Pyramid they excavated a long boat. Our guide said it could have been used as a ceremonial boat that is believed to take whomever was buried into the afterlife.
With the vast desert and no obstructive view, the best picture for all 3 pyramids together was a short mile away.
The Bedouins who live in the region had the best prices for a camel ride...$15 per person.
Yes, it's touristy, but how cool to actuallyl ride a camel in the desert with the pyramids in the background! This is one of the reasons we wanted to come to Egypt!
Next was a quick visit to the Spinx. It needed stronger support structures with all the weathering, so we were restricted from getting too close. When you zoom in, you can see faint color in it's hair and face. Back in it's prime, this would have been painted bright with gold, blue, and all sorts of colors to pop in the desert. The pyramids were also covered with white plaster to reflect the sunlight.
Although I could have spent all day touring the ancient ruins, there was more in Cairo to see. This Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo dates back to 500BC. I thought the girls looked cute posing in front of the fortress, so I didn't pay much attention to the guide about the fortress' importance.
Then we walked to the church that sits atop the house where Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived for three years as they fled from King Herod who wanted to kill the Baby Jesus. This is reminiscent of the Bible story in the Old Testament when Jacob's son, Joseph (who wore the Coat of Many Colors), was forced to leave the Promised Land and live in Egypt. And if you didn't know, Mary's husband Joseph was also the son of a man named Jacob.
With the hot afternoon sun, it was perfect timing to see the Eqyptian Museum. Along the way, we crossed the Nile River. There's no crocs this far north, but it was wider than I expected.
We also passed some obelisks. The ancient Egyptians created these to honor the gods.
Most of the really neat artifacts had already been moved into the new Great Egyptian Museum that is scheduled to open in the fall. However, a few pieces were still around.
And inside, they still had mummies.
King Tut's exhibit was also on display here, but we were not allowed to take photos. I did see lots of hieroglyphics. Just amazing!
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