Cairo 25January cool morning, clear skies max 21 degrees.
This morning we again head off at 8 am. It is quite cool and we are all layered up. One thing that stands out is the security. It is usual to see armoured personnel carriers driving around and often with a gunner sitting up top with a machine gun. Everytime our bus enters the hotel area we are stopped at a barrier and a sniffer dog walks around the bus with his handler. Entering the hotel we pass through an airport type screening machine. Along the routes to the tourist spots there are always armed police with flack jackets, at the tourist spots we go through the sniffer dogs again with armed police and sometimes military at the barriers. They are very safety conscious of tourism as it is their prime source of overseas income and drives their economy.
Our first stop today is Saladin Citadel and the Mohammed Mosque. Saladin was well thought in Egypt as he was the one who defeated the crusaders. In modern Egypt he would be their greatest hero. Since the Pharos when Egypt was a powerhouse economically, culturally and scientifically, they have been continually subjugated to foreign powers. First by the Greeks, then the romans, Turks, British etc. It is incredible to think that a civilisation with such an extended history going back thousands of years before Christ could loose their skill and ingenuity all because of their subjugation by foreign powers. The citadel was very impressive and before entering the Mosque our guide Azsim, who is a Muslim, gave us his belief on the prophet Mohammed and the Koran. It was very enlightening and confirmed in my own thoughts that like all religions those in power corrupt the doctrines to suit their own greed and love of power. The Mosque itself was modest in its style and decor.
We then head to the Khan el Hhalili Bazaar. A large market with usual narrow alleyways and plenty of shops covering all manner of items.
Then we head on to the Egyptian museum where all the major artefacts are kept. Most are in warehouses and a new museum is being built expected to open in 2020. The displays are still plentiful and our guide takes us to the major points of interest. The highlight is the Tutankhamen display, with the items obtained from his tomb. So much gold, jewellery, furniture etc. It has been fascinating learning about the Pharaohs, the pyramids, mummification and the capabilities of the ancient Egyptians. Loved all that but city is so dirty. Our guide told us that Cairo produces 17000 tonnes of rubbish daily, 9000 tonnes is collected by local authorities, 5000 tonnes collected by independents and the rest just last there. The independents cover those areas that have been built illegally as the authorities don’t recognise them and consequently don’t support them.
Tomorrow we have a very early start. Breakfast at 4 am! We leave the hotel at 5.45 for a 7.30 flight to Luxor and start our Nile cruise. I won’t have internet access on the cruise so this will be my last post until Wednesday when we get back to Cairo, which will probably be Thursday in Melbourne.
This morning we again head off at 8 am. It is quite cool and we are all layered up. One thing that stands out is the security. It is usual to see armoured personnel carriers driving around and often with a gunner sitting up top with a machine gun. Everytime our bus enters the hotel area we are stopped at a barrier and a sniffer dog walks around the bus with his handler. Entering the hotel we pass through an airport type screening machine. Along the routes to the tourist spots there are always armed police with flack jackets, at the tourist spots we go through the sniffer dogs again with armed police and sometimes military at the barriers. They are very safety conscious of tourism as it is their prime source of overseas income and drives their economy.
Our first stop today is Saladin Citadel and the Mohammed Mosque. Saladin was well thought in Egypt as he was the one who defeated the crusaders. In modern Egypt he would be their greatest hero. Since the Pharos when Egypt was a powerhouse economically, culturally and scientifically, they have been continually subjugated to foreign powers. First by the Greeks, then the romans, Turks, British etc. It is incredible to think that a civilisation with such an extended history going back thousands of years before Christ could loose their skill and ingenuity all because of their subjugation by foreign powers. The citadel was very impressive and before entering the Mosque our guide Azsim, who is a Muslim, gave us his belief on the prophet Mohammed and the Koran. It was very enlightening and confirmed in my own thoughts that like all religions those in power corrupt the doctrines to suit their own greed and love of power. The Mosque itself was modest in its style and decor.
We then head to the Khan el Hhalili Bazaar. A large market with usual narrow alleyways and plenty of shops covering all manner of items.
Then we head on to the Egyptian museum where all the major artefacts are kept. Most are in warehouses and a new museum is being built expected to open in 2020. The displays are still plentiful and our guide takes us to the major points of interest. The highlight is the Tutankhamen display, with the items obtained from his tomb. So much gold, jewellery, furniture etc. It has been fascinating learning about the Pharaohs, the pyramids, mummification and the capabilities of the ancient Egyptians. Loved all that but city is so dirty. Our guide told us that Cairo produces 17000 tonnes of rubbish daily, 9000 tonnes is collected by local authorities, 5000 tonnes collected by independents and the rest just last there. The independents cover those areas that have been built illegally as the authorities don’t recognise them and consequently don’t support them.
Tomorrow we have a very early start. Breakfast at 4 am! We leave the hotel at 5.45 for a 7.30 flight to Luxor and start our Nile cruise. I won’t have internet access on the cruise so this will be my last post until Wednesday when we get back to Cairo, which will probably be Thursday in Melbourne.
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