Egypt really is awesome. It’s pretty amazing too.
Two weeks in Egypt
Tuesday, February 6: The Beginning
I am a little worried as the day gets stated – my fifteen minute trip to the airport takes almost an HOUR.
Wednesday, February 7: Travel to Cairo
Frankfurt
It isn’t until we are making our approach into Frankfurt, Germany, that I realized I have never actually been to this place that is so important to my brother. It seems like a place I know, but I really only know it through his stories. Someday I’ll have to actually visit here myself.
The Cairo Airport
I can see the pyramids from the plane!
At least I think I can. The sun is so bright that it is hard to see anything, but I really think that is them. If only I can get a little better look. . .
We bank and they vanish from sight.
Dinner in Cairo
For our first night in Cairo, we have a lovely dinner in a magical building in Al-Azhar Park.
Thursday, February 8: Cairo
The Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum is a great introduction to the history and culture of ancient Egypt, but there is far too much to absorb in one visit!
In Search of the Holy Family
We visit the basement chamber where the Holy Family is said to have stayed on their travels.
The Night Train to Luxor
As it turns out, the night train to Luxor not only provides transportation, but serves as a force to bring many of us together.
After dinner with others in a cramped train compartment, I now have a bunch of new friends.
Friday, February 9: Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Arrival in Luxor
A late arrival provides a pleasant introduction on our arrival in Luxor.
Temple of Karnak
Our first stop in Luxor is the grand Temple of Karnak.
Temple of Medinet Habu
A drive across the Nile and through the green fields ends at the colorful Temple of Medinet Habu.
The Colossi of Memnon and Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
There’s not much of the Colossi of Memnon, but there are some very dramatic statues (and a few wall paintings) at Hatshepsut’s dramatically sited mortuary temple.
The Alabaster Factory isn’t exactly my thing, but I find a couple things that allow me to join in the shopping frenzy.
The Valley of the Kings
The tombs of Pharaohs are hidden in this desolate valley. While there are many tombs here in the Valley of the Kings, visitors are only allowed to visit three of them during any one visit. I get to see the tombs of Ramses IV, Ramses IX, and Ramses III.
Luxor City
Compared to Cairo, Luxor is a relaxed place. We enjoy it on a cruise on the river and a carriage ride through the city market.
The Evening Convoy to Hurghada
Travel to the Red Sea is via the evening convoy to Hurghada.
Saturday, February 10: A Red Sea vacation
The Red Sea
We have a full day on the Red Sea, with snorkeling (or diving) in the morning and a beach break in the afternoon.
Sunday, February 11: Traveling to the Sinai
Leaving Makadi to cross the Red Sea
We have been staying at the beautiful Makadi Resort, but today we leave to cross the Red Sea to the Sinai Peninsula.
The charm of Sharm
Sharm El Sheikh is the most famous vacation town on the Sinai. I expect it to be an ugly, over-developed place, but Sharm has a charm all its own.
The road to Saint Catherine’s
The road to Saint Catherine’s Monastery takes us through a dramatic, desolate landscape.
Evening at the monastery
We are staying in the monastery’s guesthouse and taking our meals with the monks. I love having a quiet evening in the monastery, but I’m not planning to do the morning camel trip to the top of Mount Sinai.
Monday, February 12: Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Dawn
While the others are trekking to the mountaintop, I enjoy dawn at the monastery and the beginning of a beautiful day deep in the Sinai.
Touring the Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Built in the year 550, Saint Catherine’s Monastery is one of the oldest active Christian monasteries. Our tour takes us through much of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including its library filled with rare books.
Later I have time to walk along the mountainside paths outside the monastery walls, providing wonderful views from the outside looking in.
Tuesday, February 13: Leaving the Sinai
Through the Sinai
We spend most of the day traveling through the Sinai, stopping only to visit a small museum near Saint Catherine’s and the Convent of the Seven Sister in the Feiran Oasis.
Evening from my balcony in Cairo
Our travel speed decreases dramatically when we reach Cairo and it is late when we finally reach the Nile Hilton. But finally I am in my hotel room at the Nile Hilton where I can take in the view of the city and Nile.
Wednesday, February 14:Cairo
Morning Above the Nile
We get to sleep in this morning, which is great.
When I finally get up, I head straight for the windows and pull open the curtains.
Traveling through Cairo
Weaving through the chaotic streets of Cairo provides an overview of the city as we slowly travel through the crowded streets.
Sultan Hassan Mosque
We learn a bit about Islam as we tour the Sultan Hassan Mosque.
The Citadel
While the Citadel in Cairo dates back to the 9th century, it wasn’t fortified until the 12th century. It’s huge! But as large as the fortress is, the large, elegant Mohammed Ali (Alabaster) Mosque is the Citadel’s highlight.
Al-Azhar Park
A sprawling park built on a former dump, Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park is the perfect place to enjoy a little greenery and watch the sunset.
Blessings and meditations at the Coptic Cathedral
Every Wednesday the leader of the Coptic church in Egypt holds an evening lecture for the faithful. We are lucky to be here on Ash Wednesday, when the Pope offers his blessing to all. It’s a moving connection to the past. After we have been blessed, the lecture begins. This week it is a meditation on love, since today is also Valentine’s day.
After the event inside, we learn more about Saint Mark in a small chapel below the main cathedral.
Thursday, February 15: Giza and beyond
Saqqara
Saqqara is the vast area that served as the burial place for Egypt’s earliest rulers. The area includes the step pyramid of Djoser and the tombs of many others, including the beautifully decorated tomb of an official named Mereruka.
Magic Carpets
Carpet shops are rather ubiquitous in this part of Egypt. I have no plans to buy a rug, but the showroom is filled with magic carpets of all colors.
The Pyramids of Giza
We finally get to the great pyramids of Giza, where we gawk at their size, take a short ride on a camel, and admire the Sphinx.
Friday, February 16: Old Cairo
The Coptic Museum
The Coptic Museum holds a large collections of treasures related to Christianity in Egypt.
The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church (El-Muallaqa) was built above a first century Roman fortress. It’s been remodeled a few times, but retains a holy and ancient-feeling interior.
Religious Architecture Galore
A walk through the neighborhood allows us to visit a variety of religious architecture: The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Coptic churches of Saint Barbara and Saints Sergius and Bacchus.
El Azhar Mosque and the Khan El Khalili Market
We split our time between the El Azhar Mosque and the Khan El Khalili Market, because you can only do so much shopping. (And the mosque is historically important and very beautiful)
Saturday, February 17: The Monasteries of Wadi Naturn
Our day takes us into the Western Desert to visit the Christian monasteries of Wadi Naturn. Long a center of Christian monasticism, even today a number of active monasteries remain in the area. We visit three of them:
Wadi Naturn has been important since the days of the pharaohs as well, as a source of salt. But it has always been far removed from the rest of the world. Today, however, the area seems to be growing rapidly.
I end the day by meeting a grad school professor who is currently living in Cairo. It really is a small world.
Sunday, February 18: Cairo
Cairo’s Christian Garbage Collectors
Cairo’s Christian Garbage Collectors have a large community hidden in the ancient quarries of Mokattam Mountain. We are here on a Sunday to learn a bit about this community and join in a worship service in one of the community’s enormous cave churches.
Cario: 4 pm
There is still one hour until checkout and I am spending it on my deck, the Nile sprawled out below me and the city’s wonderful cacophony of sound swirling all around.
I love it here.
It seems odd to be leaving – somehow it has come to feel normal to be here and it is odd to think that tomorrow I will be gone and someone else will take my place. It doesn’t seem right.
The end of our time in Egypt
We end our trip to Egypt on a Nile dinner cruise party boat. It’s not the end I would have chosen.
The Details
Find details about my trip and check out a mini-guide for planning your own trip.
Of course it’s awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed your stay here at Egypt and that you got your journey well documented