September 10th, 2004 – Driving to Alexandria
I was up early enough this morning for my complementary breakfast before my 8:00 a.m. departure with my car and driver Mahmoud. My driver tells me I can call him “Rambo” instead and with his large size it was hard to argue. We were off to Alexandria this morning taking around 3 hours (250 Kms) driving time traveling along a major highway that passes just east of the Nile Valley.
The fertile soil of the Nile valley comes from all the flooding of the river before the dam was built some 50 years ago and now needs to be irrigated. Brilliant green crops of many varieties to one side of us and desert to the other side is seen most of the way up. We passed by a few newly built cities paid for by the government, October 6th City and Saddat City. My guide could not tell me too much about them and we did not stop to look around. There were quite a few pigeon houses along our way as pigeon is in the Egyptian diet. I was to learn later a tradition for Nubian weddings; the groom is to eat pigeon for 45 days after the wedding service to help along in his fertility, probably a lot safer than viagra. The houses were dome shaped with many small holes going all the way around as sparrows burrow their homes in the banks of sand hills. It turns out to be one of the few major highways built in Egypt which can be traveled at a good rate of speed. We stop for a break half ways up at a local gas station and coffee shop.
Drive to Alexandria with guide and driver Rambo
We drive to Alexandria for a full day’s tour then back to the Pyramids of Giza for the Sound and Light Show. Rambo is my driver from yesterday and once again today. I will spend the entire day with Rambo stopping at many stops in the area.
Driving in and around Alexandria
Once in Alexandria our first stop was the Catacombs of Kom El Shukafa, tombs buried deep beneath the surface. No pictures where allowed at this site as it is with many of the sites I will be visiting.
Along the beach at Alexandria
My driver stops along the main ocean front where I go for a short walk.
Along the ocean at Alexandria
A favourite activity for many is fishing. Not many people in the area this afternoon but it will fill up later on.
Castle built from an old light house
A castle build from the ruins of the old Light House that once existed just off shore in ancient times (Light House of Pharaohs?). The Nile ends just to the east of us and this beach is as far north as we will go.
Graeco Roman Museum visit and then back to Cairo for the sound and light show
Next stop was lunch at a local Restaurant serving whole grilled fish, which turned out to be a big lunch. Then it was a short drive over to the Graeco Roman Museum for a short visit while my driver went to pray, Friday is the Holy Day in the Islamic culture. We headed back to the beach for a last look and a short visit at the local aquarium near by. We headed back to Cairo stopping for some turkish coffee. Simply, coffee with hot water all mixed up in a pot and served with grounds and all! I was amazed at how good it was, it made espresso taste mild.
Back at the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza before 8:00 p.m. to watch the Sound and Light Show. It was a great show lasting around a half hour. It was 44 pounds but it was all included in my initial price. We stopped off at a local shop for some shopping before heading back to the hotel. Cost for today with all meals entrance fees and sound and light show, $195.00 U.S.