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- Everyday life (30)
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Egypt 8th April
Posted on February 8th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.
Flashback 8/4/06
Today we went off to another temple in Luxor: the Karnak Temple. Wanting to save our money on transportation train our fitness , we decided to walk there. We took the exact route where the sphinxes used to lie for 2 km between Luxor and Karnak temples. There are not many left, but there are still some sphinxes that still lie in situ nearer to the temples.
Sphinxes near to Luxor temple
Sphinxes nearer to Karnak Temple
^^^^^^
Karnak was one of the most important temples in Ancient Egypt, an area so huge that 4 St. Paul Cathedral can fit nicely into it! :O
I have to marvel their technology to build these vast structures. Especially their columns that I felt like an ant next to an elephant!
Can you see where am I?
Their wall cravings are pretty impressive too. You have to look at these! They have the skills to:
1: craved ‘3 D’ pictures on the walls
2. And indented cravings on the wall! All these are all over the temple!
This temple is badly damaged and sparsely dispersed, that it is difficult to imagine how the temple once looked like. Nonetheless, there are restoration works going on at the moment and I hope to see the restored temple in the future. We spent 3 hrs in the temple.
The Obelisks
Look at the colours from 4000 years ago!
^^^^^^
We took one hour to walk back to town, this time alongside the Nile River. The water looks so blue and inviting in this hot weather that we are tempted to jump in for a swim! No doubt just like in an overheated oven. ~HOT~~~
The Nile, overlooking the Valley of the Kings
We had lunch at our favourite food joint. Our train to Aswan was scheduled at 5.30pm, so we decided to rest in the hotel till the time to go.
At the train station, we met with the Korean guys again. They are also going to Aswan. Such a conincidence! Only that it was the 2 of them, rather than 3. They said the remaining one is still zzzzz in the hotel and don’t like visiting temples. Come all the way to visit and don’t like visiting temples. HHmmmmm…
^^^^^^
3 hrs journey to Aswan, the southern most part of Egypt. Arrived at 9pm. Again, look around for hotels, ended up in Hathor Hotel. Tomorrow we decided to go to Abu Simbel, meaning we need to set off at 5am. 
End of the Day
Pretty tiring. And need to head off to bed soon as I need to wake up at 3am. ZZZzzzzzZZZZz
Egypt 7th April
Posted on February 8th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.
Flashback 7th April
Today we set off to the Valley of the Kings. With Aladdin as our genie to grant us wishes our tour guide, he explained why:
1. Unfinished houses: to avoid paying 40% government taxes on finished houses (O..K..)
2. Roofless houses: not necessary as it only rain once every 2 years. Even if it ever rain, it only last for 2 min
3. Sugarcanes crops planted 400 m away from roads: lesson learnt from previous terrorists attacks
We went together in a bus with 2 other Chinese and 2 Belgium and crossed the new bridge over the Nile. Aladdin also told us that it is easy to differentiate different tourists by looking at what they holds on their hands.
1. Japanese: make up and umbrella
2. English: a can of beer and a woman
3. German: two cans of beer
4. French: a lot of photography!
5. Spanish: a lot of souvenir
haha….don’t know if it is true so don’t be offended ya! 
^^^^^^
Our 1st stop is the Colossi of Memnon.
Colossi of Memnon
These two remaining statues used to be part of the temple of Amenophis III, but it has since destroyed by an earthquake. So where are the stones? Apparently it has been recycled by the nearby villages to build houses etc , as what Aladdin said. *sweat*!
^^^^^^
Our next stop is the Valley of the Queens. Here is the burial place for all the Queens and their children. We visited Tomb 44, 52 and 55. Of the three, #55 (Tomb of Amunhirhkepshef) is the best preserved tomb, with some of the colours and drawings still intact. There is even a mummified foetus which Amunhirhkepshef aborted at grief after her son’s death.
^^^^^^
Our 3rd stop is the Valley of the Kings. We need to walk a certain distance before we actually reach into the heart of the tombs. What a hot day!
Into the Valley
Now these are really an eye opener! The Queens’ tombs decorations paled when compared to the Kings’. We visited the tombs 2, 6 and 16. The tombs are much longer, wider, bigger and more colourful. You got to admire the artworks on the walls AND ceilings. It is so wonderfully decorated that I can’t believe they can do that nearly 3000 years ago! What puzzled me was:
1. With primitive tools and no light while digging deep into the tunnels, how can they dig the tunnel in such perfection rectangle shape,
2. How do they do the decoratives on the walls AND ceilings so nicely?
3. The granite sarcophagus that used to hold the coffins. They are HUGE and how on earth did they drag into the tunnel? We have steps and levelled platform for us to walk on. But what about in the past?? Some are really deep underground!
The only picture I can take of the tomb
Oh ya, they have found another new tomb named KV63 in March 2006. An exciting discovery after 84 years. And this was documented in Discovery Channel in Dec. Though there were no mummy found, but the discovery inside is really good enough.
The new tomb
After the tomb visiting, I’m still baffled, and add on more questions in mind. I have to salute their expertise, architecture skills and knowledge.
^^^^^^
After the VK, we went on to Hapshepsut’s temple. Hapshepsut was the only female pharoah that ever rule Egypt in 1503 - 1482BC. The temple was 60% renovated and so it looked relatively new.
^^^^^^
It was late afternoon when we finished our journey to the VK. As we still have the time, we decided to visit the Luxor temple so that our schedule for tomorrow wouldn’t be so packed.
Luxor temple is not far from where we lived, and it looked smaller than I have expected. I can’t believe that this temple was once buried in sand that a village was built onto it. It was not until it was partially discovered that evacuation began. The village was removed but only a mosque remained and form part of the temple since.
Luxor Temple
The entrance. Can you see the mosque?
Yet again, I felt small when I was in there at the statues and column were all so talllllll. Nonetheless, you have to marvel at this little Jewel. It was near dinner time and off we went for dinner.
End of the day
Pleased with the outcome with what we managed to see today.
Egypt 6th April
Posted on February 8th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.
Flashback 6/4/06
Today we will embark on a 10 hr train journey from Cairo to Luxor. We met 3 Korean guys on the same train. Shame didn’t ask for their names. Hope to meet them around in town. They will be staying in Luxor for 4 days, and 3 weeks in Egypt. 3 weeks!!!!! Well, they can afford that since they are on 1 year out from Uni. *envy*
Egypt 5th April
Posted on February 8th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.
Flashback 5th April 2006
Today we arranged to go to see the pyramids. Not sure about the public transport to go
there, we decided to go by booking a day taxi to bring us to 3 places:
1. Pyramids of Giza
2. North Saqqara - Step Pyramid
3. South Saqqara - Dahshur Pyramid
We set off at around 9am after breakfast. One thing: the traffic was horrifying! There are 4 lanes of cars on the 3 lanes road! Our taxi driver, Moses was a very experienced driver and we actually felt safe. hehehe
As we were travelling on the motorway, we can see many residential buildings along the way. There is one thing that I noticed. The buildings are either half-built or very sparsely decorated. And they have no roof. Are they too poor to finish building the house?
The view of one of the pyramids came into my view. OMG. Even from a far distance, the pyramid looked like a giant triangle standing oh mighty in the desert.
The Sahara Desert
When we reached the destination, we were talked into renting either horse or camel to visit the pyramids. It was expensive, but it spared us a lot of energy walking through the sands and the vast area. (I admited I’m lazy, ok? )
On a camel
It was a magnificant warm day, perfect for desert visiting. The winds were surprisingly very strong that nearly blew off my hat away.
My jaws dropped when I came nearer to the pyramid of Khafre. The feeling face 2 face with the pyramid was different when looking at pictures. I felt so insignificant when i stood side by side with it. Also, it was a pity that the pyramid of Khufu’s tip has fallen off, the evidence of erosion. Nonetheless, standing in the midst of the serene silence in the vast desert sea made me ponder even more about how they actually built this magnificent structure nearly 3000 years ago.
I’m right at the bottom
of the Great Pyramid
We also went to visit the Sphinx. I tried to figure out where the Sphinx is. Guess what. The Sphinx look so lost and is like a kitten amongst the Pyramids! I was amused and frankly disappointed to see that. Still a pity that it was under reno so we can’t get close so we took pix from the outside and the back of it.
^^^^^^
After 2 hours, we headed off to North Saqqara - the Old Kingdom’s capital to see the 1st stone pyramid - the Step Pyramid. It is evident that it was very badly eroded but no less magnificent. From afar, we can see other smaller pyramids older than the Step.
With Moses
We didn’t stay there for long and headed to South Saqqara. But on the way our driver told us to visit a store. The book has warned us about operators teaming up with each other and tried to earn comission. So we suspect this is the case. Well, it really was, where he tried to extort nearly 650% of the normal retail price of an alabastar ash tray! *sweat*
^^^^^^
After that, we went to see the Red Pyramid and the Dahshur Pyramid. Seriously, I don’t know these existed till I visited Egypt. These two were erected before the Famous trio (Pyramid of Giza). So they were even older! We tried to climb the Red Pyramid, 65m up and then 65m inside down. It was hot and stuffy inside. I’m lucky since I’m pretty small, so I fit into the narrow corridors of the pyramid nicely. hahahaha…For the very 1st time I had a last laugh when other people struggled to get in. This pyramid was unused and therefore empty. But it was the structure that supported the Pyramid that wow me. It was like inverted steps that is soooooooo precisely cut. They can actually do that 4000 years ago!
The Red Pyramid
The Dahshur Pyramid was the first model they argued, to try to make smooth sided pyramid. What is unique about this is that the original limestone lining is still intact at the bottom, giving us a rough idea how it might have looked like 4 decades before. But we couldn’t get close due to renovation. A pity.
Dahshur Pyramid. Notice the limestone casing?
That end our Pyramid’s journey that still left me bluffed. I saluted their superb engineering skills and intelligence.
^^^^^^
It was around 3pm in the afternoon and we decided to go back to the Museum, to sit down outside and enjoy the breeze. When we left, XC realised that he left his camera behind!!
Panic Panic Panic!!
We rushed back to the museum and THANK GOD it was still there. Now I understand why the locals weren’t allowed to be in there. If not, his camera would be long gone!
We decided to wander further into the area that we lived in. We are right in the centre of downtown. The city area was bustling with people and cars, and their dazzling shop display. One caution though, when people tried to approach you and recommend something good for you, ignore them at all cost. These annoying ‘friendly’ people tried to earn commission off you. Dinner, I decided to try somewhere in the restaurant. We ordered a roast lamb andrice. But very costly. so no more restaurant food. Need to cut budget since 2 days in Cairo nearly overshoot our budget.
End of the day
Today is a lot more organised as we gradually know our surroundings and the local’s behaviour. Feeling more upbeat about our trip. Now looking forward to Luxor, our next stop. Felt headache and tired.
Egypt 3rd/4th April
Posted on February 7th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.
Flashback: 3rd April 2006
The day finally arrived. We are geared up to go. Great, my luggage is 19kg. *gasps*. Actually not my clothes leh…but all my comestics, hair dryer. Hehe….need some facial and physical maintenance also~
We left home at 12pm to go to Birmingham Airport to catch 1705 flight (KLM) to Amsterdam and transit to Cairo.
Flashback: 4th April 2006
Finally reached Cairo at 0105. (oh yea, very awkward hour). At this time, all I want is to go through the customs and catch the taxi to the hotel and sleep. It was my turn finally. But it didn’t go smoothly as I have expected.
At the customs
Officer: What is your name?
Me: XXX
Officer: Where do you come from?
Me: Malaysia.
Officer: Malaysia?? (looked confused, turned to his colleague and talked, keep pulling his face)
Me: (oh dear~~~~~) I have my Malaysian IC with me.
Officer: (took it from me, but not convinced) You sure you from Malaysia?
Me: YES (getting impatient)
Officer: (reluctantly stamped my passport)
Me: Thanks (phew!)
Now is my housemate’s turn. Then I heard a commotion. I looked back. That same officer signalled me to go back.
Egypt Preparations
Posted on February 6th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.
I went to Egypt this April with my housemate XC. This is how it come about.
FLASHBACK: LATE FEB
XC: shall we go on hols to Egypt this coming Easter hols?
ME: (jumping with joy) really? You wanna go?
XC: yeah, heard from my friend is really a nice place
ME: OK!
It turned out that XC’s good friend just came back from Egypt and told him about the trip that got XC’s interest. As for me, I have always wanted to go, but can’t find anyone to go with me. Finally there is a chance. YIPPEE!!
For the next one month, I embarked on the mission to plan the itinerary. Since it is our own trip, I planned from the possible transportation to the hotels to the attractions to the time needed for each. Gosh never knew it can be such a tiring process since it is a country so different from us and a total alien to me. Perhaps I am one big worrier and hence the ‘tiredness’. I turn to the Rough Guide, Egypt, the travellerpoint and my cousin for help since he has been there before. (Thanks, SY).
FLASHBACK: MARCH
Condition of the country: A desert, dry weather, HOT, no clean water
Bearing that in mind, now I have to prepare to buy the stuffs needed for the trip.
So I started to get what the books recommended: dehydration salts, sunblock, adaptor plugs, hats, sunglasses etc. Also get some new clothings (what I wear in England not suitable for Egypt leh – what a good excuse to go shopping!!) Just a bit kiasu precautious about it.
We look around to find the cheapest air fare possible, since under tight budget. In the end we ended up with STA travel. The airfare at the time was £285 each. So expensive! Heard that if travel from Europe, is nearly 30% cheaper, Geez. XC need to apply for visa, and thank god it went on smoothly.
Date set: 4th April 2006.
Flashback: Last 2nd week of March
Looking forward for the holiday break. Guess what? I got a flu, not juz a cold. A FLU that come down with fever!! Aaaah…that is the last thing I want to have! aaaargggh!!!!!I just pray and hope I would get well fast so that I’m fit to go on hols!!! Water, water, herbal teas, medication, cooling pad for fever etc etc…anything will do to keep my illness at bay.
At last, fever subsided after 3 agonizing days but with still a blocked nose and sore throat, ah . J is kind enough to give me his pills to eat, something to gain my antibodies and health before I went to Egypt. (Thanks, J.)