A Journey Through Egypt

On 28th August 2024, I travelled to Egypt, which is known as “Umm dunya” or “Mother of the world” or The Land of Pharaohs. It is an ancient nation with a civilization over 5000 years. It is home to iconic landmarks like the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River. Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, merges ancient history with modern life and houses the famous Egyptian Museum. The Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts are also top tourist attractions, known for their stunning beaches and diving spots. My tour started straight to Alexandria, which was full of history & unforgettable moments. I began my tour at the most famous & oldest library in Egypt ‘The Bibliotheca Alexandrina’. 

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria, is located in Egypt and covers 85,000 square meters. It was established in the 3rd century BC and was renovated in 2002. The library's design features 11 floors, most underground, with a vast main reading room of 70,000 square meters sloping towards the Mediterranean. It can hold up to 8 million books, with inscriptions of ancient alphabets on its walls. Historically, the library housed up to 400,000 papyrus scrolls from various ancient cultures. Today, it attracts tourists from around the world as one of Africa's most famous libraries.

I also visited the Mediterranean Sea located in the city of Alexandria. It was a beautiful beach where many Egyptians and foreigners from different parts of the world gathered. We spent a wonderful time there, enjoying both relaxation and swimming. A week later, we returned to Egypt's capital, Cairo, where we continued our tour.

The pyramids in Egypt are among the largest wonders of the world, built between the 26th and 23rd centuries BC. There are three pyramids, with the largest consisting of 2.3 million large stone blocks, and the construction took around 20 years. The purpose of building the pyramids was for the pharaohs to use them as tombs, as they considered themselves gods. When entering the pyramid, a person cannot walk standing upright; instead, they must bend down due to the narrow 18-meter-long stairway.

There are three pyramids:

1.The Pyramid of Khufu: This is the largest pyramid built for King Khufu to serve as his tomb. The height of this pyramid is 138.8 meters (455 feet). The base is square-shaped with a width of 230.4 meters (756 feet) on each side and covers an area of approximately 53,000 square meters (13 acres). It is estimated to be made of 2.3 million stone blocks.

2.The Pyramid of Khafre: Built for the second king, Khafre, this pyramid is slightly smaller than the first, with a height of 136.4 meters (448 feet). The base has a width of 215.25 meters (706 feet) on each side.

3.The Pyramid of Menkaure: This is the smallest of the three pyramids, built for the third king, Menkaure. Its height is 61 meters (200 feet), with a base width of 102.2 meters (335 feet) on each side.

Following the pyramid experiance, my sister and I embarked on a horseback ride around its perimeter to take in the full grandeur of the site. The horseman shared fascinating stories about the pyramid, which enhanced our experience. At one point, we stopped, and a man approached, offering us a ride on his camel. Initially, he agreed to a price, and we mounted the camel. However, after leading us to a more secluded part of the desert, away from where the people are, he demanded additional payment. While we were atop the camel, the man refused to let the camel sit until we gave him the extra money he asked for and still he was unsatisfied with the money. Despite our pleas and fear, he insisted, even making a threatening remark when we screamed for help. In that frightening moment, my sister and I turned to Allah in prayer, asking for protection. After a few tense minutes, the camel finally sat down, allowing us to dismount. The experience, though unsettling, left us grateful for our safety.

Dream Park is an amusement park designed for tourists to spend time and enjoy. It was established in 1999 and is a large place filled with various rides and activities mainly for young people. Personally, I went on the train ride, the dark boat ride, and also the upside-down house.

Feeling:
When you ride the spinning train, as you ascend and then descend, you feel a refreshing breeze and a sense of joy, making you feel relieved. It was an amazing game that reminded you of your childhood.  

There is also The Upside-Down House: a house that's completely inverted, where everything inside, even the furniture, is upside down, including the balcony there's even an upside-down car inside.

Cairo Tower

Cairo Tower was built between 1956 and 1961, with a height reaching 187 meters (614 feet). It stands on a large area of land, covering nearly 4,500 square meters. It is one of the tallest structures in Egypt, attracting many visitors who want to take photos & climb the top to get a full view of the city.

Nile river

Visiting the Nile River, which flows through Egypt and is known as the longest river in the world at approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), was a remarkable experience. The entrance to the river is impressively decorated, featuring a magnificent ship that houses a restaurant, making it feel like a regular dining establishment. Nearby, you’ll also find small boats available for those who want to take a tour along the river, allowing visitors to explore the stunning scenery and rich history of the Nile. The Nile is also mentioned in the Quran, highlighting its significance in Islamic tradition and the history of the region. Also there were more foreigners taking photos & enjoying the river view in the nile restaurant.

The National Museum of Egyptian civilization:

 

It is commonly believed that there was only one Pharaoh, particularly the one mentioned in the Quran, but after my visit to the National Museum in Egypt, I discovered that there were, in fact, many Pharaohs throughout history, as evidenced by the numerous mummies displayed in the museum. When inside the National Museum, specifically in the Pharaoh mummies section, photography is not permitted.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization houses a variety of ancient artifacts, including the mummies of pharaohs and their belongings. "Mummification aimed to preserve the body for the afterlife, with notable examples like King Tutankhamun and Ramesses II." The museum offers visitors the chance to explore Egypt's rich history and its cultural and social development over time. The exhibits display the daily lives of the pharaohs, the mummification process, and the grand ceremonies held to honor ancient kings and queens. Moreover, the museum plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Egypt's cultural heritage.

At NMEC, there are also pictures showing how ancient Egyptians arranged their homes, fought with swords, and used cultural items such as the bridal crown and the king's throne. These artefacts provide insight into their daily lives, traditions, and royal authority, highlighting their preparation for battle and significant celebrations. Many foreign visitors come from all over the world to explore Egypt's fascinating history and culture.

Overall, my journey to Egypt with my son reflected the fantastic moments we shared as a family. Egypt is a captivating tourist destination, rich in history and culture, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there.The Egyptians are friendly, welcoming people, creating a sense of belonging where you never feel like a foreigner. One of the surprising cultural aspects that stuck in my mind is that they refuse to accept the transportation cost or anything else you buy in their shops immediately; they feel ashamed if they do, so you have to convince them that it’s their right to take it. If you agree with their refusal and move on, they will come after you to collect their money.