Anyway, my last trip before returning home was EGYPT (: I'm so glad that I've finally conquered the Africa continent though of course Egypt is nothing close to the poverty in South Africa. I was in the capital, Cairo for a week which was a huge mistake cause 7 days is way too long for just Cairo and 7 days is way too short to travel down south to Lukshar where there are many interesting sites. I think 5 days in Cairo is more than sufficient if anyone is planning a trip there.
To do in Egypt:
1 Visit the papyrus museum
To do in Egypt:
1 Visit the papyrus museum
The papyrus leaf
We went to the papyrus museum cause apparently it was invented by an Egpytian. But there's a huge controversy cause the Chinese are saying they invented paper from papyrus leaves first so who knows?!?
Drawings on real papyrus paper
You can buy a drawing from the museum like me if you want and get conned. If not head to the local bazaar and you can get it for perhaps one tenth of the price offered in the museum. It's everywhere but don't be fooled into buying drawings on banana leaves instead!
2 Hire a camel & a tour guide
Camels are much taller than horses which I never knew about. On TV, they look pretty stout to me but if you're afraid of heights you better get a horse or even better a horse drawn carriage which provides a lil shade. But if you want the full on experience get a camel (:
3 Pay tribute to the Great Pyramid in Giza
It's situated in the biggest desert in the world so you really wanna bring shades, hats/caps, sun block, WATER, camera to capture the heat and perhaps wear proper shoes. I wore sandals and the sand was burning hot so it's not advisable.
4 Go to Coptic Cairo
It's a little Christian city which has many churches and gardens and of course cemeteries.
6 Climb the little pyramid
E & P climbing the little pyramid
Since I'm a law abiding citizen (we're not allowed to touch the stones what more climb?), I decided to sit in the shade and replenish my body cells with water. E & P climbed a few steps just to snap a photo but I decided it's ok to snap a photo at the foot of the pyramid as well. :P
7 Sleep in a real tomb
That is a REAL firaun's tomb P was lying in. She is absolutely mad. All treasures are obviously gone now, it's just an empty rectangular box.
8 Go to Islamic Cairo
It's filled with mosques and museums. There's also a stunning view at the top cause it's on a hill and it overlooks Cairo.
9 Visit the king's and queen's tombs
Be prepared to "hike" if you want to visit all the tombs.
Tips:
- the weather was freaking 48 degrees when I was there so be PREPARED. Don't get dehydrated or you'll end up with a fever.
- be careful of where you eat or you'll end up with a diarrhea like me
- girls need to wrap up even though it's so hot cause every guy will just stare at you. Women in Egypt are mostly Muslim and they're covered head to toe so you can understand why.
- you MUST negotiate with cab drivers cause EVERYONE will try to con you in Egypt, even the security guards in front of our hotel!!!
- I won't recommend anyone to be out ALL day cause you'll most likely get a heat stroke. Get up early and visit sites, you should be in the hotel swimming everyday to cool your body down
Anyway, I read in the papers that Egypt is closing entries to the Great Pyramid from October onwards to reduce vandalism and for repair works. If they get visitors like E & P who tried to scale the pyramids, touch the tombs & carvings no wonder they need to close it for restoration.
If you want any more details you can email me (: Hope everyone's summer is going just the way they want it to!
Lotsa love from KL xoxo
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