After what seemed ages, but in reality was less than 10 days, am back in Cairo again. Most of Cairo is not going to win any ‘pretty city’ awards with its hundreds of thousands of high rise tower bocks squeezed together, looking as if they are from the communist eastern block, only more red-ish brown than grey. Seem to pass endless unfinished buildings but some have their laundry hanging from the windows, maybe just to keep the sun out.

But we get back to the hotel at a reasonable hour, time enough for dinner and a few drinks. Next day was a visit to the Egyptian museum. The building itself looks as if it was an old Victorian railway station with its grand entrance and archways but I don’t think it was.

The museum is spread over two floors and is crammed with items discovered from ancient Egypt, the tombs and temples. There were plenty of sarcophaguses and mummies, statues, alabaster jars, tools, jewellery, daggers, head pieces etc. There was a small hall dedicated to the royal mummies and one hall for Tutankhamun. Tutankhamun’s golden head mask was on display with very strict security and you were not allowed to take any photographs. The mask is made of pure gold, weighs 11kg and measures 54 x 39 x 49cm.

There is a new museum being constructed at Giza, just 2km from the Pyramids. Costing more than US$1 billion, the new museum will be the size of approximately 10 football fields and should open early 2019. Depends on the Egyptian builders… It will re-house and restore some of the country’s most precious relics.

After the museum visit, headed over to Khan El Khalili Bazar, which is basically a market down narrow streets and lanes with stalls selling anything and everything from tourist tat to fridges. It was very similar to the medinas in Morocco and as there was nothing I wanted to buy, mainly because of the amount of travelling I still have left, decided to leave and head back to the hotel. That was easier said than done as the narrow streets suddenly came alive, now very packed with people and each street looking pretty much the same. Eventually found my way and rewarded myself with an ice cream.

Back at the hotel and looking at the tickets, I realise just how many historic sites I have visited in Egypt, all individual and unique. Very difficult to chose a favourite. The Pyramids were great but I was put off because of the amount of hassle you get to buy things. Temple at Karnak was huge and too busy (it took ages to try and get photographs without anyone in the background). Valley of the Kings was fabulous but on the surface looked like a quarry, the treasures were all underground. But I think my favourite was the Nile cruise. Such an iconic thing to do in Egypt.

Final few days in Cairo and I changed hotel to one not far from the Pyramids. In fact, you can see the Pyramids from the pool 🙂 Really not a bad way to end my trip to Egypt but the time has come to move on to country number 3 and I fly to Hong Kong later today. Am really looking forward to Hong Kong and China but also looking forward to the flight in business class on Etihad. Not bad for someone who is unemployed…