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Finally the pyramids of Giza. Here you see Deborah, Susan and me looking at the Great Pyramid. It was built for the Pharoah Khufu in the 4th Dynasty (2589-2566 BCE). The Great Pyramid covers 13 acres. |
The antiquities inspector who gave us the tour told us that the Great Pyramid was closed. We were able to enter the Pyramid of Khafra above. It is 443.6 feet high-originally 446.4 feet high. |
Here is the tomb chamber of the Pyramid of Khafra. Getting inside was an experience--not for the claustrophobic. The descending and ascending corridors were only 4 feet high. The interior is very stuffy. |
Everyone has to have their picture taken in front of the Great Pyramid. Here is Deborah, Susan Saleh and Jason. Estelle and I pose in the next photo. |
The Great Pyramid is 451 feet high. Originally it was 476 feet high. Each side at the base is 747.5 feet long. Originally there were 210 layers of blocks. There are now 201. The sided rise at an angle of 51 degrees 50'. |
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Our next stop was the Boat Museum. This boat is one of two. This one was reconstructed from parts buried in a pit alongside the Great Pyramid. |
I included this photograph of Jason looking up at the boat to give a better idea of the size of the craft. |
Here is a view down onto the deck. The Egyptian Antiquities Office is trying to obtain funds to begin work on the second boat. |
Another view of Khafra's Pyramid as we leave the Boat Museum. Each side at the base is 699.5 feet long. The sides rise at an angle of 53 degrees 10'. |
We then boarded our van and motored down to the Sphinx. The head of the Great Sphinx is a depiction of Khafra. It is 234 feet long and 65 feet high. |
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The Sphinx was built as part of Khafra's funerary temple complex. It was originally coated with plaster and painted. |
Between the paws of the Sphinx is a stele erected by Thutmose IV of the 18th dynasty. It is called the "dream stele." |
It relates a dream the future king had--If he cleared the sand from around the Sphinx he would become king.
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Our guide from the antiquities office got us into an area at the base of the Sphinx not open to the general public. Deborah took the opportunity to pose on the Sphinx's paw |
Jason and a view of the Pyramid of Khafra, the Great Sphinx, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. |
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This photo was taken near the sound and light theatre. |
A parting look at the Great Pyramid before we leave for our hotel. |
We returned that evening and visited a shop where the making of papyrus was demonstrated. |
The sound and light show at the pyramids is well worth it--a combination of lights, lasers and sound. |
After the sound and light show we went to the Mena House Oberoi for dinner at their Indian Restaurant. |
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The Mena House was another one of King Farouk's palaces. |
This is a view of the lobby. |
This is the stairway leading down to the lobby. |
This is a view of Cairo from the rooftop restaurant at our hotel. |
And a view of the Chinese Embassy from the restaurant. |
