The Giza Plateau & Last Remaining Member of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World

Hello from Egypt! How has your week been going? The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind. I had hoped to post before now but it’s taken longer to go through photos than I had expected. I’ve been posting a bunch on Instagram, though…so be sure and follow there for daily updates. You’ll find BNOTP on Instagram here: BNOTP.

If you ever visit Egypt to see the pyramids, I can definitely recommend a stay at the Marriott Mena House Hotel. The design reminds me of the Fox Theater in Atlanta which was designed back in 1929 in an Egyptian theme. The lobby of the Marriott Mena is incredibly ornate. Wonder if this is how the Pharaohs lived back in the day, surrounded by lots of gold decor? The floral arrangement in the lobby was really beautiful!

Marriott Mena House Hotel, Cairo Egypt

 

The ceiling was amazing!

Marriott Mena House Hotel, Egypt

 

My room was what they call a “pyramid view” room. It was already dark the night we arrived so I really couldn’t see anything that night. This was the view the next morning. Amazing how close the hotel is to the Giza Plateau where the pyramids are located.

View from Room, Marriott Mena House Hotel, Cairo Egypt

 

This is the view from the restaurant where we dined each day. So amazing looking out and seeing this view each day! See the little building in the photo? That’s the security/guardhouse where they scanned our bags each time we walked across the parking lot from the hotel to the restaurant. Each time we entered the hotel, our bags were scanned again.

View from Restaurant, Marriott Mena House Hotel, Cairo

 

The Grand Pyramid of Giza, the pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu, is believed to have been built around 2560 BC. It’s the largest of the pyramids and was originally covered in limestone casing stone that created a smooth outer surface on the pyramid.

Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Giza

Photo taken by Teresa

 

Ever wonder how the pyramids look up close? Here’s a photo of my friend, Teresa, standing on one of the lower staircase sections just below the Grand Pyramid.

Giza Pyramid

 

This photo was taken in front of the 2nd largest pyramid on the Giza complex, built for Pharoah Khafre who ruled during the 4th dynasty. He was the son of King Khufu for whom the largest temple was built.

Pyramid of Khafre

 

Teresa and I had so much fun riding camels with a guide out into the Sahara Desert. I brought along my Nikon D7000 with its kit lens (18-105mm) and it has been perfect for this trip.

 

Teresa’s camel kept cracking us up. He kept reaching back every so often with his head, checking to see who was back there in the rider’s seat. I think he had a crush on Teresa. lol

Silly Camel, Giza Plateau

 

The view from the Giza Plateau overlooking the city of Cairo…

Giza Plateau looking toward Cairo

 

This is such a great time to go to Egypt. There are no insane crowds. The pyramid area is busy with visitors, but not overrun with people. We never felt crowded out or had to wait in lines to climb the lower areas where visitors are allowed to climb. The lack of huge crowds made for a very relaxing visit.

Egypt, Camel Ride in the Sahara Desert

 

I’ve ridden a camel once before in Morocco, but there was a nice little seat on the camel that time. This was a much bumpier ride and I was holding on tight, trying to make sure I didn’t fall off. Look at that view!

Camel Ride, Giza Plateau

 

Teresa snapped this photo of me…you can tell from my hair that we had a nice breeze that day.

Camel Riding in Giza, Egypt, 2018

 

 

The Great Sphinx is located very close to the pyramids on the Giza Plateau. After seeing it all my life in books, it was surreal to finally see it in person! The Sphinx measures 240 feet long from paw to tail, is 66.31 feet high from the base to the top of the head and 62 feet wide at its rear haunches.

Great Sphinx, Egypt, 2018

 

The Sphinx is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature said to have the body of a lion and the head of a human. The Sphinx was built around 2500 C for the pharaoh Khafre, thus the face is thought to represent King Khafre.

Great Sphinx, Giza, Egypt

 

Truly amazing to see it in person!

Great Sphinx

 

I’ll end this post with a sweet kitty. We found him snoozing away right on top of the souvenirs for sale in the market area just outside the pyramids.

Market Kitty, Giza, Egypt

 

I’m looking forward to sharing more of Egypt with you real soon! I’m falling asleep as I type this so I had better stop and turn in. I think my body is still trying to adjust to the 6-hour time difference.

Nite, nite!

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Comments

  1. Susan, what a fabulous trip to Egypt. The hotel looks beautiful. Your photos of the Pyramids and the Sphinx are amazing. I can wait to see more!

  2. Dawne Marie says

    It feels as if I’m there too with all these fabulous pics! Love the camels all dolled up. You and Teresa are beautiful women. So happy you are enjoying yourselves. And we can enjoy it all too! Thanks, Susan.

  3. Looks like you’re having a wonderful time. Thank you for the lovely pictures. Safe travels.

  4. All looks wonderful, I love those vibrant colors covering the camel backs.
    I think it would be a treat to ride one.

  5. Amazing photos and great descriptions! Your enjoyment is coming through the cyber air waves.

  6. Oh, lucky you! So glad you’re enjoying yourself. I hope your friend liked the toothpaste. Is the food good? Doing any shopping? It really is amazing to be right by the iconic images only seen in books, television, etc. That’s how I felt on my first trip to London when the taxi drove by Buckingham Palace and never glanced over at it and I was gasping in the back seat like a total Rube. I will have to check out your Instagram. Hope Tegucigalpa camels didn’t spit at you!

    • She did! She has purchased that brand before but had never tried the “Wonders of the World” collection so it was a hit. I’m headed over to the shops across the street from our hotel in just a little bit.
      One big disappointment to me is how many fakes I’ve seen here, even inside the hotels. There’s a whole shop/boutique in our hotel here in Hurghada (not the Marriott Mena back in Cairo) that is selling nothing but fake LV, Chanel, Dior, etc.. handbags and suitcases. I was shocked to see that in the hotel itself, especially since this is such a nice hotel/resort. I guess fakes aren’t frowned on here like they are in the U.S. Even the jewelry store in the hotel is selling fake Chanel, Cartier and Bvlgar jewelry.
      Thankfully we didn’t experience any spitting camels. lol

  7. Love all of it but especially the kitty on the souvenirs!

  8. Susan, your photos and account of your visit makes me want to book a trip to Egypt, and honestly, it has never been on my radar. Glad you are having a grand time.

    • Thanks, Sarah! It’s been amazing so far. No big crowds and everyone has been sooo nice! We haven’t had to deal with that many people harassing us to buy things, they pretty much leave you alone with you say, No thanks.

  9. Donna zoltanski says

    Oh my goodness…your photos are so pretty. Gorgeous blue sky and I know you are enjoying it all. I am so happy you are having this experience of a lifetime. I am enjoying your posts and Instagram too. Nite nite.

  10. Susan,
    Thank you for sharing your lovely adventure with us! Your photos are just wonderful and we are looking forward to seeing many more from this latest trip. Looks like Great Fun!! Wishing you safe and blessed travels until you are home again. Godspeed ~ Bren

  11. Susan, you look a natural on a camel, but then with all the camel riding you’ve done….
    I’m glad you took this trip, and wow the hotel lobby is fabulous. Looking forward to more photos and musings about this adventure of yours.
    You certainly are not a shrinking violet.
    All the stores in Buckhead are closed, waiting to open up when you return.

  12. Looks like a fabulous adventure. Looking forward to more photos.

  13. Looks like you are having an amazing time! Safe travels!

  14. Carolyn Price says

    Amazing trip!! Have fun, Susan.
    Kitty liked sleeping on the scarab beetles … thought to be lucky. The ancient Egyptians believed the scarab beetle pushed the sun across the sky.
    Can’t wait for more pictures!

  15. Amazing photos! I had no idea the Pyramids were so rough and Rocky. Looks like beautiful weather! Enjoy your trip!

  16. Amazing pictures! The hotel & your view are gorgeous! The pyramids are something my son has said, since he was a young child, that he wanted to see. I will be sharing your posts with him. Thanks for taking us along on your fantastic trip! I’m excited to see more pictures!

  17. Cleo headley says

    Oh, Wow!!! And the river Nile is right there…..duh…. Enjoy!!

  18. Rachel Wolters says

    Unbelievably gorgeous photos! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

  19. So cool to see all that! Love the blankets on the camels, so colorful!

  20. Shirley Ore says

    Susan, the photos are amazing…looks like a fabulous trip, love the kitty, looks like my Ollie…have a wonderful time…

  21. Another great adventure, and it looks fabulous. So do you!

  22. Wow how fantastic. I love how the camels are adorned with the colorful tapestries. I think that camel wanted his nose scratched or a treat! You both look truly happy! What great pictures. Love seeing the pyramids up close. The hotel is gorgeous. You must be pinching yourself to see if it’s all real!

  23. Susan, have been following you on Instagram and am immensely enjoying your photos of your holiday. (Thank you!) Its one place I haven’t been whereas my Grandmother a number of years ago who was well into her late seventies visited, and yes even rode a camel while visiting the same pyramids. Re the little guard house where your bags were scanned; am not surprised in the least as sadly it appears to be a sign of the times not to mention if attending any public function it is now the norm. i.e.: Also, recently ordered a gift through Etsy from Turkey for one of my grandsons and it was scanned by authorities nine times before it even reached me …. . Wishing you and Teresa more fun filled days. -Brenda-

  24. Mesmerizing!! Gaaa…first thing I notice…not the pyramids…the “camel strappings!!!” Totally beautiful!! I’d walk a mile…franki

  25. Hi Susan,
    It has been quite a few years since we visited the Pyramids and stayed at the Mena House. The Mena house was also known for a famous Belly Dancer.
    It was said that she was the Best of them all.

  26. Your photos are amazing. I’m sure you had a wonderful time. You are so fortunate to be able to travel as you do and those of us who aren’t so fortunate, appreciate seeing the world vicariously through you.
    Also, your pic of the kitty napping on the souvenir table reminded me once again that regardless of location … cats rule the world. I saw a photo once of a red carpet that was formally laid out for a visiting dignitary in some foreign country and while hosts and photographers were waiting for him to arrive, a cat very casually found its spot right in the middle of the carpet and proceeded to carefully bathe itself then take a nap.

  27. Wow – looks like an amazing trip ! Seeing in person the things you saw in history books in school must be wild. Enjoy the rest of your trip – thanks for sharing 🙂

  28. Susan, I’m so impressed with you traveling all over the world like you do! I love seeing your pictures. When I was in 6th grade I had a teacher who was just fascinated by Egypt and we spent the year studying all about it between other mandatory subjects. I’m excited to see more pictures of your latest adventure!

  29. Been following your adventure. How far away are the pyramids from your hotel and/or the city? I saw a photo one time that looked sort of like a strip mall/shops was quite close but it couldn’t have been the perspective. Do they state the purses are fake or can you tell by price and how they look? Have fun!

    • Sandy, sorry I missed your question back when I was traveling. The pyramids are within walking distance of the Marriott Mena House hotel where we were staying. I think it’s about a 20-minute walk from what I heard, though our guides drove us there the day we visited. So they are very close to the city of Cairo.

  30. Susan, thank you for sharing, your photos are just wonderful! Continue to have a GREAT time visiting Egypt. God bless and safe travels.

  31. Wow! What a trip of a lifetime! The pictures are all so amazing! I feel as if I’m right there, too!

  32. sandra D Joliet says

    Awesome….I can only dream. My uncle was in the air force and they had so many awesome things in their house. I had hoped to inherit one of the camel saddles they used for footstools but alas, I got nothing. Lots of wonderful memories visiting them though. My Aunt had an awesome hope chest, hand carved in the Philippines where they lived quite some time. My cousin was born on the AF base there. My Aunt did gift me with a tray that was carved and it had a clear glass inserted on top. I still have it. And some fabulous ceramic buttons with different Chinese faces on them. When I was in high school I sewed an outfit that looked Oriental-mandarin collar top and I had the buttons on it just for looks. I took them off when my outfit got old and began to tatter. She gifted my parents with a tea set that just blows my mind to this day. It has oriental looking people on it and dragons. The teapot and creamer are dragons with the liquid pouring out of their mouths. Ah, but that is not all….in the bottom of the tea cups it’s uneven and you can sort of tell it’s a lady. Hold it up to the light and you see a geisha girl-I swear you could count the hairs on her head. I know the technique is called lithopane but have no idea how they do it. Boggles my mind every time I look at them. Mom has gifted them to me and there are only a few tea cups left. One had a chip on the edge so I had it sitting on my vanity. I had crocheted a doily and put little qute things in it. I tried to find a photo of the lady and this is the best I could find…they put them on different designed sets. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-KUTANI-Bamboo-PatternTropical-Hawaii-TIKI-Lustre-Bamboo-23-pc-Tea-set-/153226003068?hash=item23acfb427c and here’s one set very similar to mine on the outside https://i2.wp.com/amatsuokiya.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Japanese-Hand-Painted-Kutani-Dragonware-Tea-Set-with-Geisha-Lithophane.png?ssl=1

    • What a wonderful memory of your relatives. The dragons pouring tea sounds very Game of Thrones-ish and something I would really enjoy too.
      I rarely buy big souvenirs when I travel. On this trip to Egypt, I purchased a fun papyrus that glows in the dark. It was rolled up but still a pain to keep track of along all the stops.
      Like you, I hope my stuff goes to my family members who really want the items and not a giant estate sale.

  33. Susan,
    your pictures are all fabulous and you look so happy! (And beautiful, girl!)
    I’m glad you’re having a good time!
    Looking forward to more posts from Egypt!
    PS: I saw the pic of the rice pyramid! I got the giggles! What a cute and funny idea! lol

  34. I was in Egypt many years ago before all the construction. The USS Nimitz pulled in and we took a bus trip there to the Pyramids. I remember going inside the main pyramid all the way up and the lights went out. Right at the top. They were just single light bulbs. Made my way back out. Beautiful pictures!!!

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