Our next flight was between New York City and Cairo, Egypt. We had a long 12-hour layover in Cairo, so we made the most of it by hiring a guide for a tour.
Our guide picked us up in a van with a driver and we went straight to the pyramids.
It was really amazing how close to the city the pyramids were. I've always pictures them in my mind to be somewhere outside the city. Instead, they are simply on the edge of town, and I guess that makes sense as people have been living in this area for thousands of years.
Lyla was really getting into the pyramid pose.
It looks just like a rock wall behind us, but I swear it is actually one of the pyramids!
These cute girls wanted to take a picture with our girls.
This guy was apparently also interested in a photo with the girls. Maybe I was supposed to tip him...?
Family photo at the pyramid.
This area has been redone based on what they believe it used to look like.
You can see the back of the sphinx's head with the city right behind. It was a pretty smoggy day, but we feel at home in the smog.
Obligatory pinching pyramid pics.
Our guide was really excited about all of these pictures. He wouldn't let anybody else take them, because he was the expert...
Next up was a camel ride back to the pyramids.
The best part of the camel ride was trying to keep your balance while the camels stand up.
Our little helper leading the camels was just watching a video on his phone the whole time. Kids are pretty much the same across the globe.
The sphinx is still missing his nose. They put on some sort of light show at the base of the pyramids at night.
Hid and go seek in the temple.
The Great Sphinx of Giza.
Lunch.
Next on the itinerary was a river cruise on the Nile River.
This was right around sunset, so it was really pretty. The Nile is huge, and without it Egypt wouldn't really have existed.
Steering the boat.
Sunset.
Lyla Jane.
Kate Amelia.
Ada Elizabeth.
Alison Ann.
With our Egyptologist guide Abraham.
After the river cruise we grabbed a traditional Egyptian meal of falafel and other Middle Eastern options.
Our last stop was at the market. We didn't buy anything, more of just browsing and wandering. This was interesting though, because our guide also secretly hired a bodyguard to shadow us and basically keep people away from us. I have felt safe nearly everywhere that we have traveled. This was the first time when I kind of questioned whether we were safe or not. But we were grateful for the extra steps that our guide took for us.
After the market, we hopped back in the van and made our way back to the airport. Next stop, Johannesburg, South Africa!
1 comment:
That's really interesting about your guide hiring a bodyguard. Nice and concerning at the same time.
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