The Pyramids Of Giza, Egypt

If there was one thing Adrian was looking to, it would have been this - to see the great Pyramids of Giza! He had in fact a little more knowledge about Egypt than Ghani and I did, thanks to the educational DVDs he had been watching in the back seat!

Upon arrival at Giza, we were told that we were too late to enter, as the ticket office had closed 5 minutes before hand. The next morning though, much to his disappointment, Adrian wasn't feeling too well, a side effect from the Lariam, which we just started taking in preparation for the rest of Africa. A good rest helped and we headed out to the Pyramids again after lunch.

Being told we can't go in, as the ticket office closes at 4pm
Giza, Egypt
28 Dec 08

Adrian not feeling too well
Cairo, Egypt
29 Dec 08

Despite being told by several touts along the way that it was forbidden to drive further, as they did everything they could to get us to park Tuah in the car park and take a ride on one of their camels, we carried on, prepared to mow anyone in our way and drove right up to the foot of the Pyramids.

It's certainly a sight to behold and seeing the Sphinx was like meeting an old friend. The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.

It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base.

There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques. Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place.

There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The so-called Queen's Chamber and King's Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both ascending and descending passages. The main part of the Giza complex is a setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu (one close to the pyramid and one near the Nile), three smaller pyramids for Khufu's wives, an even smaller "satellite" pyramid, a raised causeway connecting the two temples, and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles.

Adrian's been wanting to see the Pyramids for the last 3 weeks! Finally, the day has come!
Giza, Egypt
29 Dec 08

It's a little bigger than I thought...
Adrian at the Pyramids
Giza, Egypt
29 Dec 08

My pyramid is a lot smaller than the one over there..
Adrian at the Pyramids
Giza, Egypt
29 Dec 08

Tuah has made it all the way to the Pyramids
Giza, Egypt
29 Dec 08

Ghani gets a camel kiss
Giza, Egypt
29 Dec 08

We put up with the madness of Cairo to see the last standing wonder of the ancient world...it was the one thing that Adrian had looked forward to for weeks and his happiness made it all worth it!
Giza, Egypt
29 Dec 08