I know, Christmas seems a long time ago. But it’s about time I shared some snaps and stories of our holiday, as this year we had a very different Christmas, on the Nile. This has been a dream of mine for years, and when I met Vee we quickly established it was her dream too. In fact, when we got together in December 2013, Vee was meant to be on this very holiday but it was cancelled due to unrest in Cairo…. during this time we ended up going on our first date. So if she had gone, would we be together now? Who knows. Maybe it was meant to be and we were meant to go together. So, we decided to go over Christmas to make it extra special. Egypt was everything I dreamed it would be – magical, inspiring, beautiful, just breathtaking. If you haven’t been to Egypt, you need to go.
Here is the first in a three-part feature on our trip, and our first stop is Cairo.
The Pyramids at Giza
We arrived late into Cairo and even in the dark, I eagerly looked out of the taxi window to get the first glance of any dark, triangular shapes looming in the distance. Still excited and childlike, I went straight to bed, thinking the sooner I go to sleep, the sooner it’ll be morning (I swear my parents used this as a tactic to get me to sleep, but it still works).
The next morning, setting off nice and early we arrived at Giza and had our first sight of this magical place.
Children Flying Kites by the Great Pyramid
It’s such a famous scene, one I’ve been fascinated by since I was child, and finally we were there. It felt just surreal. The pyramids are just so enormous, I know everyone says that but it’s not until you are standing there that you can really take in the sheer size. I just couldn’t get it in my head how it was all made by hand, all those thousands of years ago and still standing today. It’s just unreal. We stood for quite some time, just to take it all in.
We wandered around Giza and visited the Giza Solar Boat Museum – which is the beautifully preserved boat, buried next to the Great Pyramid. The highlight of the morning has got to be actually going inside the Great Pyramid. It’s not for the claustrophobic, inside the passageways are small and dark, it’s also incredibly stuffy and warm, but it’s so worth going inside as you actually walk the tunnel the Pharaoh’s sarcophagus would have been taken, all those thousands of years ago. Inside there are no treasures anymore, but just seeing construction of the tunnels and the main tomb is just out of this world.
Sphinx Selfie | Inside the Great Pyramid | Pyramid Selfie
Cairo Skyline from the Pyramids
The Sphinx
The Egyptian Museum – Cairo
That afternoon we spent a couple of hours walking around the Egyptian Museum. We were very lucky as ‘for a Christmas Treat’ we were allowed to take photo’s actually inside the museum, which is usually strictly forbidden. You could really spend a couple of days in there – there is so much to see.
I did take hundreds of photos but I won’t bore you with them, but I’ll share a couple of my favourite pictures, all from the Tutankhamun Exhibition – my absolute favourite part.
Tutankhamum’s Mask
The Funeral Bed
Canopic Jars | Tutankhamun’s Chariot | Anubis
That evening, we headed back to the Giza for the Pyramids Sound and Light show. Although I was freezing and shivered my way through it, it was just an amazing way to see the story of how the Pyramids were built in such a dramatic way, projected onto the pyramids, with a booming commentary and dramatic music I was hooked from beginning to end.
Pyramids Sound and Light Show
Saqqara
The next morning, we headed over to Saqqara, this was an area constructed before the famous pyramids of Giza and were you can see the first attempts of pyramid building and the different mistakes that were made before they managed to find the perfect triangular style we all know of and recognise.
It’s surprising how chilly it was, first thing in the morning, I didn’t pack enough warm clothes (I thought we were going to the desert and it would be HOT!) but my top tip is pack layers for visiting Egypt as the temperature really fluctuates. Luckily, I had my super versatile Petit Bateau Stripy Jumper which we jokingly named my ‘Egypt Uniform’ as it literally came everywhere with me (so bear with me if you see it in every photograph in the other posts!)
Stripes at the ‘Bent Pyramid’
Saqqara – The site of Egypt’s oldest Pyramid
Lazy Camel
The Step Pyramid – It might be under restoration at the moment, but it was constructed in 2630 BC, so it’s pretty damn amazing.
The first part of our holiday was just out of this world, I loved Cairo and wished we had spent more time there. Everyone says it’s dirty and busy, but we had a lovely hotel and were treated with the utmost respect by the staff. As their tourist industry is suffering so much at the moment with everything going on, they are so pleased to welcome you and go that extra mile and the pyramids are just beyond belief.
So, that was part one of my Egyptian Adventure…. join me next time, when I board our Nile Cruise ship and explore Karnak Temple!
Post contains collaborative links, however all pyramid gazing, star jumping and wunderlusting is my own
I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt to see the pyramids, but like you say, the reports of it being dirty, noisy and a bit of a let down had put me off so far. You’ve really sparked my interest again…love this post, good tips about layering up too! Which hotel did you stay at?
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Aww, lovely pictures, Egypt looks interesting. It’s wonderful you have this in common, it was a heart-warming story to read. xx
It’s just breathtaking isn’t it! I remember when we went to Egypt I was literally amazed and fascinated at the pyramids and we spent hours walking around the museum – although we went in September and definitely no layers needed then as it was crazy hot
Ahh this looks amazing. Egypt is SO high on my list of places to visit. I can’t wait to go!
Jasmin Charlotte
Oh my goodness…visiting Egypt has been one of my biggest dreams since I was a child! I love these photos and I’m so envious of your trip! Since the revolution I’ve sort of marked Egypt off of my list of places to go, because I was afraid it would just be too unsafe to visit. Did you feel this was the case at all? I’m sure it is in better shape than years ago, but there is so much going on in that part of the world…
I’d love to visit Egypt! The pyramids really are stunning and I really want to get inside one at some point haha.
Corinne x
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Very jealous! I’ve been to Egypt several times but haven’t got to the Pyramids. Your pics are fab, felt like I was there!
So jealous of you right now, Egypt looks amazing!
I loved Egypt… and am crazy about the camels
Fab photos – I’m really jealous. i hope I get there one day….
Such an amazing trip. Your post brought back so many memories as I’ve been to all the places you mentioned here. Actually I couldn’t even remember going inside the great pyramid until I saw your photo! I was there in 2006 and again in 2009, seems like ages ago now. Also went to the Luxor and the Red Sea so looking forward to seeing your future posts. Your post has reminded me how wonderful these ancient sites are, amazing they are still standing after so much time. Thanks very much for linking up to #MyFavouriteTrip Polly x
currently I live a broad but as an Egyptian I know there are a lot of false messages through the media that made the area look like a war zone while this not the truth at all, so glad you enjoyed it , hope you have tried some traditional dishes ??
I wonder when I’ll visit Egypt (My husband has…grr!) Would love to see your posts in the Practical Mondays Link Up:)