Pyramids of Giza Favorites

Favorite thing: Travelling back from the pyramids on our ancient Egyptian coach we got to see the sun setting. It was the most exciting sunset I've ever seen. The sun was a big red ball in the sky and it was setting at an amazing speed. One minute it was there, the next it had just slid away below the horizon.

Favorite thing: bring a site map with you, comes in handy for picture taking and documenting.

Fondest memory: the unbelievable massiveness, the size of the individual stones and the perfection of lying them all together. you can't stick a knife blade between them!

Favorite thing: There I was sitting in the taxi as it winded its way towards the pyramids. I was busy looking right and left at the people on the streets. Not paying much attention to the direction the car was moving to. Then suddenly I looked forward and there they were. Looming behind a building. Grandiose. Scary even.

I could not utter a word. I was full of wonder. Excited, I almost felt a need to puke. (I didn't)

Was this true? Was I finally seeing the Pyramids. Yes, I was.

WOW!!!!

Khadi

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Favorite thing: It is my understanding that winter is preferred to summer in order to avoid the heat. I see the validity to this point, however found it necessary to come in the summer since that is the time that we have off. Actually, the temperatures found in Cairo are comparable to our own home at Fort Worth. Any time of year is likely to be acceptable for a visit, however there are better times in the day.

Here is why I like going first thing in the morning:

(1) Relatively few people are there. The tour buses have not arrived, so I had some nice places to myself. Also, the number of touts will not reach full strength until those buses do come.

(2) The morning light is on the Sphinx. The Sphinx faces to the east, therefore the morning sun will illuminate it. Afternoon lighting is a bit different. If you like taking photos and are only visiting the plateau one time, my suggestion is to get there in the morning.

(3) It is not too hot in the morning. In July, I entered the complex under partly cloudy skies and a nice breeze in places. Afternoon heat will be a much greater challenge, especially in the full sun.

Fondest memory: Enjoying a morning stroll around the complex and having some places to myself.

Favorite thing: Opinions seem to be divided on this issue, but I am in favor of going in. It is true that the trip into a pyramid means crouching as you travel through a long shaft before arrving at the burial chamber with the empty sarcophagus. There are no treasures inside as they have been raided long ago. Also, the there are no heiroglyphs and other "interesting" eye catching features making the journey. On top of this, there are seperate entrance fees for going into a pyramid. Khufu, the great pyramid has a limited number of tickets for 100LE. Khafre, the slightly smaller and middle pyramid offers admission for 20LE. Why the difference in price? Does Khufu have more to see? No. It is 80LE more, because it is the Great Pyramid. It is as simple as that. I elected to journey into the Khafre portal. To me, it was a good choice. I only had to pay 20LE and gained the memory of going inside one of these things. It was worth it. Cameras are not allowed, but that is OK since it is quite dark in there. Imagine the feeling of knowing that you are deep inside such a historic place. I figured if I did not go in, curiosity would always drive me to wonder what it may have been like to enter. Therefore, there is only one way to find out...

Those who are claustrophobic, have heart conditions, or fear the dark need to reconsider.

Fondest memory: Feeling like an explorer while wandering beneath the structure.

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Favorite thing: If you have an interest in both Astronomy and ancient civilizations, then Giza will certainly be fascinating. Back in the day, what we know as the belt of the Orion Constellation was thought to represent Osiris to the ancient Egyptians. Osiris was the god of death, and of course the pyramids were the resting places for three pharoahs open their deaths. The pyramids actually line up in the formation that the belt of Orion takes. This constellation with its belt of three bright stars is mainly thought of as a winter constellation, therefore it is more likely to be visible in those months.

Fondest memory: Combining two of my favorite interests, astronomy and history.

Favorite thing: there are about 150 pyramids in giza, but the pyramid of khufu is the biggest one.
if you see closely there are 2 entrance to the pyramid: one is the original one, and the other is the one made by the thieves.
it took about 20 years to built a this pyramid but the workers only worked 4 months in a year since they're farmers and need to work on their farm too.
the size of the pyramid belong to the grandfather is bigger the the father. and the grandson is smaller than the father and so on.

Favorite thing: MAJOR TIP!
Return in the evening to see the "lights and sounds" show,its informative and spectacular.
The show is presented in English,Arabic,Spanish,German,Italian,French and Japanese,at various days/times ;)