Great Pyramids of Giza
Ancient wonders of the world are on everyone’s list of places to visit. How you get there is another matter. Jon and I decided to use public transport to do this. Metro line to Giza is very easy to navigate. All you need is a ticket for the yellow line. Once you arrive, you walk to your left towards a local mini bus station. Ask for transfer to the Pyramids. This takes two mini buses. People are friendly and will advise if lost. Do watch out for scammers. Everyone seems to want to be your friend. The mini bus should cost 5 Egyptian pound each. The drive is incredible as you see the pyramids peaking over the city.
You walk around 500 metres towards the pyramids. Once you arrive everyone will want to sell you an experience or be your guide. Decide before you get there as to which mode of transport. We went for a horse ride around the pyramids.
Options were:
◦ Horse ride
◦ Camel ride
◦ Walk independently
It’s hot and dry so bring plenty of water.
Luxor:
Getting there: 8 hour bus ride from Cairo to Luxor.
Once we arrived we took a ferry to West Bank 5 Egyptian pound each and only takes 5 mins to cross the Nile.
We opted for a couch suffering experience with Ragab. We were greeted with a warm smile and a motor bike. Our first challenge was to get three people and two large backpacks onto a bike. Not easy!!! Ragab aka Adam took us to his home in Luxor. Down quite dry mud streets and past banana plantations. A huge difference from the dusty and chaotic streets of Cairo. He showed us around his home and gave us a small private studio apartment to ourselves with lounge, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Very spoilt! The best bit was the roof top terrace. We chatted over tea about cultures, education, travels and many over philosophical topics. Very interesting man.
Valley of the kings:
Ragab helped us hire bicycles. We set off on our steady incline to the Valley of the Kings/Queens. This took around 40mins once there we had to pay 270 EP each. This gives you access to three underground burial chambers. Choose wisely: hot tip is go and see burial number 3,6,9,11,14. These were recommended by Ragab and the ones we also enjoyed the most.