Breakfast is buffet style. Had a hard roll, some kind of flat bread, and tomato sauce with something in it (was okay, but cold, so did not eat) and a hard boiled egg. Also drank a glass of hibiscus tea and two cups of regular hot tea.
We then gathered our things and met in the lobby. We quickly covered the days activities and met the tour guide for the day.
She got us on the mini-bus and we drove out to the Giza plateau. She pointed out other buildings, parks and the zoo while telling us about the modern people of Cairo we saw around us. Once we got close we got our first sight of the Great Pyramid of Khufu upon the hill. We stopped and she bought our tickets. We went past security and then back on the bus. Drove to a spot between Khufu and Khafre pyramids. She gave us some quick history, pointed out some good options and warned us about the peddlers.
The first thing was the optional trip inside a pyramid. The pyramid of Khufu had long lines, limited number of people per day and cost a lot of money. I opted for the pyramid of Khafre. It cost 25 Egyptian pounds for my ticket and the total wait was not bad.
The entrance starts as a ramp about 30 degree angle down into the ground. The roof is only about 3 feet high, so was difficult. Was kind of crowded and very hot and humid. After about 100 feet, the tunnel levels out for about 100 feet and roof is 6 feet high. Some small side chambers and tunnels (all closed off). The tunnel then goes back up at same angle and 3 foot roof for about 75 feet or so. Then a long tunnel with 6 foot roof for about 150 feet.
The main burial chamber was about 20 feet wide, 60 feet long and had 30 foot high vaulted roof. At one end was the stone sarcophagus with the lid propped open. Nothing else in the room except the graffiti left by Bellini from when he found the chamber.
Left by same route seeing other chambers going off in other direction above the ramp.
Once out, I got my camera from the bus. (No photos allowed inside as of a few years ago :( )
I walked along the edge of Khufu's tomb, taking a few shots and ignoring the guys trying to sell stupid towel caps.
Went into the Solar Boat Museum along Khufu's pyramid. Saw the chamber it was found in and the model and various artifacts with it. Then went up and saw the reconstructed boat.
Afterwards walked over near the small pyramids of his wife and daughter. Also went inside one of the funeral mastaba tombs of some other official. I did not like the pushy guide inside, so left without exploring the lower tomb. Took more photos of Khufu and then walked over to Khafre.
On the way had to ignore guys on camels and others wanting me to take their picture (and then expect money afterwards) and more towel and postcard sellers.
Took a few photos of Khafre's pyramid and his temple ruins. Had some local girls start asking me all kinds of questions and trying to tell me about the pyramid. Sadly they were wrong on facts and were probably trying to get money too.
I got back to the bus and we then soon left to drive up to the overlook. Took some good photos of all three pyramids.
We then went down off the plateau to the Sphinx and Temple of Khafre. Took some photos of both and trod slowly along in more crowds.
We then met the guide across the road and got back on the bus.
*Overall was great. The lack of photos in the pyramids disappointed me. Also did not have the time to really see the place. Also the crowds take away from the mystical experience. You can only find yourself uncrowded on rare occasions.*
We went to lunch next. Guide took us to a local Egyptian food stand. I ordered a chicken shawarma sandwich and some water. Cost about 15 Egyptian pounds.
We ate on the bus while on route to the Papyrus Institute. This place makes and teaches about papyrus paper. They showed the plant as it looks while growing, how it is cut to get at the inner soft fiber, the process of cutting, flattening, soaking, and pressing until you have paper left.
We then walked the gallery of scrolls made and hand painted by local artists. All were for sale of course. Originally I had not intended to buy one, but found a great one to get. It shows the weighing of the heart temple scene. It cost 1,500 Egyptian pounds, but we got a 20% discount via the tour, so final cost was about 1,250 Egyptian pounds. [2019 NOTE: This papyrus is about 6 feet by 18 inches in size]
We then drove across to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. Took some photos of the large sculptures in the garden. Inside photos were not allowed anymore :( .
The guide told us about some extra options, then guided us into the main Tutankhamun collection. We also saw the papyrus collection, jewelry collection and some highlights from all periods. We then had 45 minutes to see things we wanted. I quickly looked over the animal mummies, sarcophagus room, main tomb room, some big sculptures, the Akenaten room and some later Greek influence stuff. I opted not to pay extra to see the mummies of the royals.
We then met outside and waited for the bus. (Will document later objects seen.) [2019 NOTE: I never actually did this!]
*Overall was nice, but we did not have near enough time to see anything with detail. Also upset about the no photography. I also did not like the way many pieces were displayed. Many were open to touch and are now ruined, many had no information about them either. Lighting was poor and things arranged in haphazard method and in odd places.*
After getting back to the hotel we quickly got ready for the optional trip back to the Sphinx for the Sound and Light Show. They project images, colored lights, and lasers with music and narration on the Sphinx, Khafre's temple and all the pyramids.
It tells the history of Egypt and the plateau from the point of view of the Sphinx and its timeless watch over the area. Show was nice, but many photos did not work. No flash allowed (or wanted), but without a tripod, camera shake blurred the image due to long exposure times. If I knew how to use the manual features might of done better.
We then came back to hotel. Got stuck in funny four way traffic jam near the hotel.
I then walked to the grocer with a couple people, did some shopping (water, snacks, souvenirs) and then I went alone to KFC again for dinner.
Back at hotel I spent rest of night writing all this.
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