Pyramids Galore

Setting off early, we had a day full of Pyramids to explore...  There are about 140 in Egypt - our ambitious plan was to see as many as time and money would allow in one daylight period!

Heading out of Cairo a short distance, we arrived at Giza where buildings ended abruptly and desert began.  Through the haze of the city's pollution, we were quickly able to make out the Great Pyramid and two others, (Khafre and Menkaure).  After strolling around the three structures and avoiding numerous offers of camel rides, and the very persistent and agressive offers to purchase souvenirs (all similar and suspiciously looking like they were probably massed produced in China), we made our way by vehicle to see the great Sphynx around the other side.

We could have spent all day, but we had only knocked three off the list....  Hiring a taxi for the rest of the day fo the sum of 200 Egyptian pounds (about AUD $40), we headed out further to Dahshur about 40 km south of Cairo.  Here we found some of the oldest pyramids in Egypt - five in total, though some not recognisable as pyramids.  The Black Pyramid looked a little worse for nearly 4000 years of wear...

The Bent Pyramid looked like either an early experiment or an engineering disaster.

The Red Pyramid is almost as big as the Great Pyramid and covered in a red limestone. Almost no other visitors to the site while we were there made a great contrast from the visit to Giza.  We we able to "freely" enter the burial chambers deep inside via a tunnel angled at steep 27 degree angle.  On exit, the nice man at the entrance asked for a tip (despite this being included in the ticket price) - from his dress and lack of ID, it was apparent this was his self appointed job with no official capacity.

Nearby is the Pyramid of Amenemhet III (known to us as the Pile of rocks Pyramid) which we were also able to have access to decend down into the tomb.  On entry to the site we had many offers of tour guides but declined.  When we arrived at the entrance, guard quickly jumped in front and began descending with us.  On reaching the burial chamber he tried to tell us where to go (there were only two small chambers - needed no direction!) and mum told him, "We do not need a guide" as he would be expecting payment.  We did not follow his instructions and ignored his attempts to flash his torch on obvious points (there was plenty of light and no need for a torch).  After we reclimbed the steep passage, he demanded payment which we ignored.  As explored the surround buildings, another man followed us demanding payment which we continued to ignore until leaving the site.

Next we drove to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Dahshur, the oldest stone structure known to man, dating back to 2600 BC.

The temple complex surrounding it was as interesting as the Pyramid itself.

We had not made a much of a dint in the number of pyramids but had seem a few of the most famous as well as the Memphis Outdoor Museum and the Imhotep Museum along the way.  Heading back to Cairo we had hoped to visit the Cairo Museum again but traffic problem (for which Cairo is rightfully infamous) and false information about the closing time, meant we had to turn around and return to our hotel.

Memphis Outdoor Museum

The Mummy has come alive!