Plan A Trip To Egypt

Recently I wrote an entry of my experience spending Ramadhan month in Morocco, this led to some question posted by readers and friends on whether is Morocco similar to Egypt. I can understand the slight confusion, Morocco is also known as Maghreb as Egypt known to the Muslim world as Mesir. And they are two different country.

I was lucky enough to get a reasonable package and the attractions offered cover all the major places despite it being a short trip. With all the information available online, there are many packages available for you to choose from nowadays; from cheap Egypt holiday packages to all inclusive package, you can even plan your own route or what I normally call a DIY or an ala-carte trip. Alternatively, you can also book holidays to Egypt online with cheapholidays.com. It’s all up to the individual, whichever suits your style of traveling.

Being the cradle of ancient civilization of Africa, Egypt definitely have a lot to offer travelers of all ages and from all walks of life.

For history hunters, attractions that are not to be missed would of course be the only surviving Ancient Wonders of The World - The Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops). The largest monolith statue - The Great Sphinx of Giza, UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Nubian Monuments’ or rock temples in Abu Simbel and The Karnak Temple Complex located in Nubia, southern Egypt.

Egyptian Museum under construction during my trip
 

Gold Mask of King Tutankhamun’s tomb

Egypt also offers attractions for knowledge gatherer such as the Egyptian Museum with 120,000 items of extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities (Museum of Egyptian Antiquities) or you can also visit Alexandria’s National Museum and the famous Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Men fishing at Alexandria

Thrill seekers are not forgotten; Red Sea diving, desert camping, ATV ride, hot air ballooning or even felucca sailing (traditional wooden sailing boat) are made available.

Souvenir stalls near The Great Pyramid of Giza

 The Saladin Citadel of Cairo  

Fruit sellers in Alexandria

Let’s not forget shopaholics and bargain hunters out there, Khan el-Khalili souk situated in the Islamic district of Cairo goes as far back as 1382. Here you can get great souvenirs such as Hieroglyph art on papyrus paper, perfumes, shirts, fridge magnets and postcards or even stop by for a taste of street food while sipping their Arabic coffee. Aside, Khan el-Khalili also house the al-Hussein Mosque and the famous Al-Azhar University and its mosque located not far away from here.

So, have you plan your next holiday? If not, do consider Egypt as one of your destination. Let it be an all inclusive holidays, DIY or just make your life easy and book your holidays to Egypt online with cheapholidays.com

Things To Do In Cairo, Egypt (A Short Historical Holiday)

This time around, I am recommending one of my favourite short historical holidays in the only ancient civilization country that lasted through changing time. What can be more perfect than taking an Egypt holiday trip and embrace its history, architecture and culture.

The trip I did took us 5 days inclusive of flight time thus technically giving us full 3.5 days of fun and adventure. There are many places and things to do here in Egypt, what I will be sharing would be the not to be missed attractions base from my experience.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza
Also known as Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids. Aside from this, it is also the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that is still standing tall unshaken by the wind of time. It is amazing to see that the remain is largely intact. It took Egyptian 20 years to complete and in completed around 2560 BC.

Great Sphinx of Giza
A trip to Giza is not completed until you visit Great Sphinx of Giza which is a walking distance from The Great Pyramid of Giza. Being the world oldest known monumental sculpture and largest monolith at 73.5 metres, however the face and the details (date & builder) are still being debated.

Gold Mask of King Tutankhamun’s tomb

Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
One of the most impressive museums with 120,000 collections/items. The famous Gold Mask of King Tutankhamun’s tomb was wrapped around the King’s face. The solid gold mask is believed to represent what the King’s face.

The Saladin Citadel of Cairo

The Saladin Citadel of Cairo
Once an Islamic fortification now is now a preserved historic site, with mosques and museums located in Mokattam Hill. King Saladin started the construction in 1170 A.D and completed by his brother King El-Addel.

Belly dancer

Nile Dinner Cruise
Cairo illuminated night skyline view from the longest river in the world - River Nile. The 2 hours cruise serves open buffet dinner with night performance which includes live music, whirling dervish and not to forget belly-dancer. Something not to be missed.

Whirling Dervish dancer

Egypt being a country that provides a good balance where on holiday makers can go from scuba diving to desert safari to medieval history to belly dancing. An Egypt holiday is where one will always be curious and excited as it caters for all age group. Boredom is not in Egypt holiday vocabulary.



Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia, Google photos

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar & Tour Member's Death

This is obviously the last day for my Egypt trip back in 2002, finally I decided to take a pic at my god knows how many strat but am not complaining since the full board package is so darn cheap right. You know what they say, beggar cannot be chooser riiiiight. Hahaahhha.....

I forgot to include the sad part, there was this elderly man whom we call Pak Cik (Uncle), he joined the tour with his beloved wife. He was so happy to be able to visit Egypt or Mesir (in Malay), according to his wife; it was his dream to step foot in this country. I recalled on the last night, during the dinner cruise on the Nile River, which he thoroughly enjoyed and even boogyed with the belly dancer.

Once dinner completed, we went back to the hotel cheerfully and as expected - chattily. Everything was normal as normal can be. Right after midnight, I received a call from the fornt desk, saying a person in Room XXX just passed away, I didn't know who obviously. My brother and myself got up and went to Room XXX, it was that Pak Cik (the chatty & cheerful Pak Cik). We were soooo shocked of the sad news.

The hotel went to all the Muslim member tour member and put our phone on loud speaker, we were wondering why; then they played Yassin through out the night till the next morning. WOW!!!

The next morning, the Malays student from University Al-Azhar came to help with the 'pengkebumian' (burial process) by mid morning all completed, burial ground in Egypt (they did not want to bring the body to Malaysia). We asked around, one of the tour member said that their kids flying in from Malaysia that morning and it's consensus that their late date to be burried in Egypt.

This was the most awesome and yet sad trip I ever had, a weird experience certainly.

We left the hotel after everything settle with the Pak Cik, we detour for little bit of shopping in their ever so famous bazaar. On the way there, we passed by few nice buildings that I WISH we stop just to take pics and look around but those in the trip was too geared up for souvenirs shopping.

I saw this beautiful building which am sure it was the famous The Saladin Citadel of Cairo which is the medieval Islamic fortification in Cairo, Egypt. Located on Mokattam, apparently it was famous for its magnificent views of the Cairo (no way for me to verify this right, arghhh...). Now, they preserved it for historic site, with mosques and museums etc. That's it, I MUST MUST MUST visit Cairo AGAIN.

We reached the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, I believe it's the biggest bazaar or souk in Cairo. You wouldn't believe the amount of souvenirs I bought for everyone and myself. My brother wanted to buy the Nefertiti bust, the Egyptian cat ornament etc; and I got myself plenty of fridge magnets, plates, cups, shirts, jewelry box & PERFUME!!!! Kinda regretted not buying the perfumes, their perfume apparently is very concentrated and all you need is just a little dab into your bath tub, you will smell all very sweet & lovely and your hair will be super soft. Either that or I just fell so in love with the Egypt that nothing can go wrong... HAHHAHAH.....

Last day and last stop and last picture for keeps for my 2002 Egypt trip, can't remember where I took this picture, but I know for sure; I am coming back AGAIN and hopefully SOON too!

Anyone wanna join me? Or don't mind me joining you guys?


JOM!!!

Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia

Great Sphinx, Pyramid & Dinner Cruise on Nile River

First destination on the 2nd day - Egyptian Museum ie is our focus in the morning.

Let me put into perspective about this fantastic museum by cutting and pasting from Wikipedia.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo, Egypt, is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms.

HUGE huh!

Apparently if we want to learn and understand even the bare minimum, you require at least 2-3 days, and we did it within half a day focusing on specific areas only. Even that was tooooo overwhelming to us.... phew... Mind you, we have to absorb 7000 years of histories in half a day. It ain't easy babe! That much I can tell you. Personally I feel, one whom like to cover Egypt should take at least 2 weeks and not to rush it; else it's pointless. This is one trip you need to digest, comprehend & appreciate, after all; it's the history of the beginning of civilization. Just my thoughts.

I can't remember the 2 mummy coffin (can I say this?) covered in gold but I can surely remember 1 of the area we went in (the above said area in the museum need additional entrance fee and it is all locked up and grilled up).

But one thing that caught me and stuck in my memory till this date is 3rd entrance fee that we paid to take a look is Ramses II. He was mummified and lay in a glass controlled temperature coffin, the one story about him was that ...

Ramses II has been identified with at least two figures in the Bible, including Shishaq and the pharaoh of Exodus. Some suggest Ramses II is the pharaoh that ruled during the time of the Biblical Exodus story. The story is about the Israelites that are forced to work for the Pharaoh. The Hebrew god Yahweh helps them by imposing the Ten Plagues upon ancient Egypt, after which the Israelites manage to escape the Egyptian army at the Crossing of the Red Sea. However, these claims are controversial at best.

Another story was that...

This Egyptian King in the era of Prophet Moses (pbuh). Its age is approximately 3000 years old and it was found by the Red Sea.

Whatever it is, I was in awe of what this museum held.

Next stop of what we all be waiting for..... Don't thing introduction is required here. But I will still include an intro...

The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

Need I say more..... speechless huh.

In 2002, the tourist buses is already that many.... now? Probably DESERT of BUSES.

Desert shopping.

Check out the ratio. Remember! This was built without any technology or machinery! This is a wondrous feat.

Of all the stuff we here, I guess the one that intrigue us most will be on the curse of the pharaohs to those who found or dig or stole (from) his tomb.

The first of the "mysterious" deaths was that of Lord Carnarvon. He had been bitten by a mosquito, and later slashed the bite accidentally while shaving. It became infected and blood poisoning resulted.

This might be coincident of course but.... it's more fun with mysteries like this huh. Spicing it up a notch.

What is Egypt trip if I did not cover The Great Sphinx of Giza? Right?!?!??!

A sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head. It is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 73.5 metres (241 ft) long, 6 metres (20 ft) wide, and 20.22 m (66.34 ft) high. It is the oldest known monumental sculpture, and is commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of the pharaoh Khafra (c. 2558–2532 BC).

As usual, and this is the part I hated most, all travel agents tend to take us to some local shop where by they will force us to buy and the agents will get commission. Sigh.... ANNOYING!!!

This time, he took us to papyrus outlet, the history is kinda fascinating though, so I don't mind do much. One thing caught me off-guard is the nature of this papyrus tree. Below is a pic... And I always thought it as big as normal tree. Sigh.... doink Lily!

Before we call it a day, the tour agent asked anyone of us whether we would like to have dinner on The Nile River cruise which of course cost additional money needed, and I thought to myself; when else am I coming back here right? So why not? I went checked with my brother and he is okay with it (obviously since am paying for his whole trip!!!)

This was just before I boarded the cruise, nice cruise ship huh!

The top floor was allocated for meal package with culture show - Dervish dancer, but all of us opted for..... JENG JENG JENG.....

BELLY DANCER package. Hahhahaha....

My brother gotten himself high after peeping on the Dervish dancer whirling.... yup! We were allowed to peek for while into the top deck :)


Planning Egypt as your next destination?

Hyperlink credit : Wikiedia

My Egyptian Trail 2002

I visited Egypt in 2002 hence this entry is looooong over due. In fact, it wasn't a planned trip, you see.... I have this relative of mine base in Seremban whom have a travel agency called Proxima. Knowing my passion for traveling, she called me one fine day to inform me that she got an info from a travel agent friend of an Egypt package available.

It was a 6D4N full board trip that cost me RM1,600 ie USD520!!! YUP!!!! We were booked into a 3 star hotel near the Giza but I don't mind as I always feel that travelers spends the daylight hour outside and the hotel is for changing and resting ONLY.
AGREE?

It was a worthwhile trip as it took us to Cairo/Kaherah and Alexandria/Iskandariah.... well... I ain't complaining for the amount I am paying. We checked-in the hotel on the day we arrived and the next day we zoomed to Alexandria.

It was an interesting journey from the beginning cause I decided to book the trip 2 weeks before departure. Then upon feeling the ground of Egypt - was overwhelming to describe the least, not to forget the journey to Alexandria.... breathtaking.

I took this pic during the 2-3 hours journey from Cairo to Alexandria; I was very unique, I couldn't understand why the table set was arranged in this manner so far apart from each other but hey.... it look good in the pics mah.

El-Mursi Abul-Abbas Mosque is a famous mosque in Alexandria, Egypt. It is dedicated to the 13th century Alexandrine Sufi saint el-Mursi Abul Abbas whose tomb it contains. Here's the best part, I walked pass these kids outside the mosque; one thing I noticed which was very very VERY HEALTHY is that they are very friendly. Very chatty in fact, I too was wondering why; well..... I managed to find the answer - they wanted to polish their English. Impressive huh!

One must visit this place, it took my breath away in every way. 1st was the Royal Library of Alexandria, or Ancient Library of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt, was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world. and where it is located, I too would go to library every single day.

Why I say this, the library is situated facing Mediterranean Sea... you have to see it to feel it. Just promise me you guys go and see this for yourselves.

And we have the BESTEST tour guide ever, apparently he studied in an International School hence he have this American accent, yeay to us! Superbly friendly and knowledgeable, reason being he took a degree in Egyptology, I mean.... I didn't even know such course is available. And he told us that Egypt history goes as way back as 7000 years. NO ways he can cover within 4-5 days. He even reads Egyptian hieroglyphs. Fascinating huh!

Where we had our lunch? Facing the Mediterranean Sea... how cool is that huh!

Remember I said how friendly they are.... there you go.

Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia

Travel Thursday | Ancient Civilization

Africa
Oh la la
Hahhahaa

My oh my!
Why oh why?
Did I say Africa
When it's Egypt by far

Are you aware?
That Egypt -
where most civilization meet
Is in Africa
And not Middle East -
Land of Oasis

Did you not hear?
If not, then click here
Believe me now dear?
Hehehee... Queer?

Really!
Am not being silly
Just plain ol' Lily
Sharing her story
In a way that is funny


Yet to blog on Egypt trip 2002.