The Great Pyramid of Giza & Sphinx

Well that was a short night or so it felt as we are picked up at midday by local tour guide Alfred. Everyone seems to know him and he proved to be a very articulate, knowledgeable and fun guy. We drive maybe half an hour to Giza and our date with one of the last remaining Wonders of the World - The Great Pyramid of Giza. I’d always been fascinated with ancient Egypt from a young age and was excited to be here today. Normally, I’m culturally shallow but this is up there with the Taj Mahal & Angkor Wat. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza

If you watch YouTube travelogs about this place, you’d be prepared like me for no end of hassle from beggars to street vendors attempting to sell you all sorts of tat. But that is no longer the case (mainly) as there’s a massive new entrance with a bus shuttle system that’s been in operation just for a few months and it is all very well organised. It’s a big site and there’s 5 stops along the way, but you can choose which ones you want to stop at. I was mesmerised by the whole thing and my first view of a pyramid as we drove to the site left me open mouthed. Am I really evolving? Anyway, with Alfred giving us his insight it was a very enjoyable couple of hours (even for me) and I took way too many photos on my iPhone. 

The incomparable Sphinx

Yes I'm really here....

The Sphinx was incredible too, the weather spot on, and Alfred’s stories left us wondering just how 4,500 years ago the ancients were able to make such geometric calculations and such enormous constructions.  I mean 100,000 workers were used in the making… maybe if Carlsberg did pyramids it would look something like this?

And that was it really. Back to the hotel by 5pm, food, cocktails, more food, wine etc etc… But I’m now looking forward to getting out birding tomorrow…..