Egypt is a truly unique, exotic place! Take a look at our pictures from The Pyramids, read some useful tips about visiting the country in 2018 and what are the best places to check out in Cairo.
Egypt is a truly unique, exotic place! It's a pity that lately people's fear and concerns regarding its political climate is much more important that the desire to visit...Please, calm down :) The political situation in the country is now stable (for good or for bad ...
HERE 's a short profile of Egypt made recently by BBC )
For me, visiting Egypt was a happy, multi-experience journey. We swam in the Red Sea, walked to the Bedouins in the desert, dived on a coral reef, drove buggies through the sands, and finally went to see the Pyramids!
Giza: the place is truly unique * in the full sense of the word *
The feeling of being there is a bit like being on a different planet...
... or like being dropped in one of your childhood dreams. The pyramids rising over this vast land covered with sand, just leave a very strong footprint in you mind (even without being aware of all the ancient history that they symbolize). The feeling is mystical and a little confusing. When you finally get to the bottom of the tallest pyramid, you are inevitably disturbed by its raw grandeur ... The sand in the air, along with the strong Arabic voices, the burning sun and the strange yellow stones make you feel weird and even slightly ominous. But then, when you touch the stone blocks, the crusting sand and when you finally look up, you can't help thinking about the greatness of these ancient civilizations. To become conscious with the power of people and nature when they are in symbiosis or in opposition...
Being a tourist in Giza
Yet the question remains - did the Egyptians really build the pyramids, and if so - how? According to our guide, no one has yet a definitive, well-grounded answer. Honestly, regarding the tourist aspect of the site, we have to admit that it's actually dominated by a bunch of bored and incompetent tour guides, bloodthirsty peddlers willing to sell anything ... Shockingly, while watching and taking pics, one is constantly at risk of being choked by dust clouds that pick up cars and buses throw. The latter tramp on the hill just between the pyramids, while wagons, chariots and camels, pass by full with tourists. The people handling the camels are kind a creepy and the guide has most seriously warned us that they are often inclined to put you on the camel and to leave it running wild in the desert. Then, when the guy "finally manages" to reach you and the camel, he will most likely ask for a double sum to bring you back. Many people who refused to pay had to wait for the police to arrive on horses to save them. Camelliers say they couldn't handle the camel and then renew the subversive strategy. Also, even if you avoid the camels, you'll definitely spot some local people simply hanging around the pyramids and offering to take picture of you... Be aware, afterwards they'll chase you all the way through the sand to beg for a huge tip.
Being a tourist in Egypt in general
But, let's leave that aside. All tourist spots suffer from similar problems. Giza, as well as most parts of Cairo, seemed to be quite miserable and neglected places, with a lot of junk accumulated in piles between unfinished houses and barracks. Which would explain the efforts of the locals to earn extra income from tourists. However, apart from the traders around the pyramids, the Egyptians we met seemed very nice, polite and peaceful. We did not feel threatened for a moment. There are no men with guns. Nor is it abundant in shambles or pickpockets, at least in our observations.
Finally, I highly recommend visiting the Cairo Museum before the Pyramids.
The museum is unique with its atmosphere, full of ancient items, the halls are authentic and light, they imperceptibly bring you to the times of Howard Carter. The times of great discoveries, of excitement, fear and adoration, surrounding tombs and treasures in the mind of modern man. And all the statues, sarcophagus, gold and mummies are there. And they are terribly impressive. Below you can find the footage of everything that they allowed me to shoot.
http://wildhomedreamers.blogspot.com/2018/05/egypt-wondres-of-cairo-amazing-pyramids.html