Browsed by
Day: 13 April 2008

Pyramids – Egypt

Pyramids – Egypt

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Giza to be exact.

Had a two hour drive from Alexandria along a refreshingly safe, (by Egyptian standards), toll road. People weren’t overtaking and undertaking at the same time while beeping their horns like the organised chaos of Alexandria.

Of course, all that came to an end as soon as we reached Cairo and the incessant lane changing and horn sounding began, again. Bonza.

Mena house Oberoi

Found this hotel. It’s right outside the Pyramids and it looks like I can walk from the car.

Here’s a view from my window.

Oberoi - Mena House Hotel Egypt
Mena House Hotel

The Mena House Oberoi costs 155 euro per night. Reasonable but without breakfast. I’ve got laundry to do tomorrow, and the concierge tells me there isn’t one in this area, plus Giza is 2 or 3 miles out of Cairo proper so I may be seeking accommodation nearer the centre tomorrow.

Historical Hotel

I’ve just been watching the welcome video, something I seem to be doing more and more nowadays, and it seems the Mena House has a rich and refined history:

This is a shortened list of awards.

  1. Best Hotels for Service in Africa, Middle East and the Indian Ocean (Ranked 3rd) – Condé Nast Traveler, USA, Gold List 2006
  2. Best Hotels in Middle East and Africa (Ranked 5th)-Condé Nast Traveler, Gold List 2004
  3. Best Hotels for Location (Ranked 13th)-Condé Nast Traveller, Gold List 2005
  4. 500 Best Hotels in the World -Travel + Leisure 2003
  5. Most Exclusive Hotels in the World -The Most Exclusive Hotels in the World Guide Book 2003
  6. Best Landscaped Garden in Egypt -Ministry of Environment, Egypt 2002

As well as this Mena House has hosted peace talks, regality, becoming a field hospital during the great wars, building a golf course which is quite funny and very English, if you think about playing 18 holes to a backdrop of the Pyramids.

This is all reflected in with pictures of Churchill, Roosevelt, King Farouk dotted around the place.

Lost on me

My bed was turned down, and they’d left some oranges out for me, and some cookies. Ahhhh.

The catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa

The catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa

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Located in the north-west of the city. The burial chamber of an ancient trading family buried in the Egyptian tradition, with all their slaves, servants animals and worldly goods. The catacombs where discovered when a travellers donkey fell, revealing an entrance to the series of rock hewn caves and chambers.

The main chamber features an elaborate series of carvings surrounding 3 graves, surrounding these 3 are many hundreds of other burial chambers, some dedicated to animals, some to humans.

There is a film crew filming while I go down there. I take a couple with my portable.

catacombes of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa
Catacombes of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa

catacombes of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa
Catacombes of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa

The Great Library

The Great Library

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Originally named the Mouseion founded by Ptolemy I Soter based on a model by Aristotle the great philosopher of Greece.

The original library was destroyed in 47 BC, this current version was built in 2003.

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Egyptian Intelligence

There is a state visit going on and the place is surrounded with security.

Great Library
Walls

The walls depict writings of every known language.

Great Library
Inside the Library

Inside the structure is made up of cascading levels each providing a mezzanine on the one below.
It is vast and impressive.

There are a number of exhibitions throughout the library and a steady stream of tours ploughing through, as well as students and photographers.

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New Book

Publications – There are a number of official publications from Organisations such as WIPO, the WTO the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO and others. Some of them are up to date [pictured].

 

The Great Library at Alexandria provides a striking contrast with the malaise of the Alexandria. Once inside, you can’t help thinking you might be in a different country, London or Europe.

In terms of libraries, this stands out as one of memory due to it’s sheer size.

Alexandria Attractions

Alexandria Attractions

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Having only a limited time frame, 2 days, I’ve chosen only 2 attractions to visit which are

1- The Catacombs

2- The Great Library

Other attractions included:

The fort of Qait bay*
Saad Zaghloul Statue*
Greaco-Roman Museum** [closed]
Pompey’s Pillar*
Stanley Bridge*
Royal Jewelery Museum** [closed]
Montazah Palace*

Travel

Travel round the city is difficult. Traffic conditions are hectic. I witness 2 crashes, one near fatality as a mad person wanders speeding traffic. We miss her by about 40cm.

Also signposting is non-existent. If you want to find anywhere, you’ll need GPS.

Montazah Palace
Montazah Palace, Alexandria