PYRAMIDS AND THINGS

5th Nov 2026

Above: The Pyramids at Giza. Lt. to Rt., Menkaure, Khafre and Khufu, named after the Pharaohs at the time of construction, all around 2500BC. Each took about 20 years to construct. Khufu, the Great Pyramid (on the right), is the tallest even if it doesn't look it from this photo. Originally 482ft high but has shrunk to 450ft due to erosion. It is built on lower ground than the others hence it looks lower. It is the only remaining one of the original Seven Wonders of the World. The smaller pyramids are for various wives of the Pharaohs.

We set off from the hotel at 8.00pm for Giza, which was only about 3 miles south, again in horrific traffic again, to visit the Pyramids. It was very hazy on arrival and there were masses of tourists. We were given a detailed briefing on the history of these constructions by the Mohammed, our very knowledgeable and articulate guide.

Warning: Before I continue with details of this trip I must warn you that the recorded history of Egypt goes back to 3200 BC! As such we were given an incredible amount of detail at every sight we visited and one became, to say the least, a bit 'overloaded' with who was who, what and when. This was further complicated by various myths and legends surrounding Gods and other 'deities' in the early days. The stories and detail behind each sight could fill a book! In general outline the country has been, since the Pharaonic period, under the rule of the Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, French (briefly) and the British. So, to save me having to recall so much detail, and probably get it wrong, you can jolly well 'Google' the places, constructions, personalities, facts and figures I might mention and get the correct detail. I will merely show the photos and a brief outline description.

Left: Posing in front of The Great Pyramid (Khufu)

You can buy tickets to climb up inside both the Great Pyramid and the smaller Menkaure. We were warned that the climb inside is up and down steep narrow and low passageways, hot and sweaty and could be claustrophobic. I was the only one to choose to go up the Great one...and the ticket price is not cheap at about £7 a go. Right: The entrance.

Yes, some of the passageways were low and very narrow and you had to stoop, but it was reasonably well lit and the flooring was good with decent steps on the up and down bits ('elf 'n safety). It was busy with tourists and difficult on occasions to pass those coming in the opposite direction which led to pedestrian jams.

Right: Going up, or down. It was indeed very hot, sweaty and cramped in there.

It only took about 15/20 mins to reach the top which was a small empty chamber with a well in the middle. Q's of people getting their photos taken here. There is nothing else to see. Just done for the sake of saying you have done it! In fact these pyramids are entirely empty. Originally built to contain dead Pharaoh's mummies and valuables, they were looted and cleaned out by tomb robbers and others centuries ago.

Right: The side of a pyramid showing, badly, the enormous limestone blocks it was primarily made of. Each weighed about 2.5 tons! Some much more. They were also originally covered in a softer smooth white stone casing which has fallen off due to earthquakes or has eroded. Some remains at the top of the Khafre pyramid (see photo at top).

Left: A bit of graffiti adorns some of the stones. I didn't see "Kilroy was here", but it might have been there somewhere!

Right: There was a multitude of 'vendors' selling stuff (tourist tat) around the area. We were warned not to get ripped-off by them. They are a speciality, and some can be quite aggressive, at many tourist sights.

Left: In the surrounding desert area there were many camels and horses being offered for rides. I happily resisted the temptation.

I mentioned crowds of tourists. There were indeed, but I somehow seem to have the knack of taking photos not showing them. Right: Queues of buses lined up against the backdrop of the outskirts of Cairo.

Left: A final pic of the pyramids.

Right; It was then on for a short bus ride to see the Sphinx. This was built at the same time as the pyramids. It faces east and supposedly built by Pharaoh Khafre to watch over and protect the royal funerary complex. It is famously missing its nose and its beard. Part of the beard is housed in the British Museum. Nobody knows what happened to its nose (amongst many theories). It's watching over me here!

Left: A better pic of the Sphinx.

Right: ....and a view you don't often see. The Sphinx's arse!

Left: More camels waiting for riders.

Well, that visit only took up half the day. We were off to the Grand Egyptian Museum next. At this rate I won't have completed these reports until Christmas....but that will do for now!