Egypt Travel Guide
The Pyramids
The Real Reason why people visit Egypt
Clearly, Egypt is a place of some allure even without its ancient monuments to lost civilisation but these sites are an attraction of global importance and as such the biggest draw for tourists.
Why is one question that springs to mind, the other is how. When Christ walked the earth these 'buildings' were already 2500 years ancient. Originally they were encased with luminous white limestone, sadly over the centuries this external layer has been removed for building work elsewhere. If it were still in place the pyramids would still look as they did when first constructed.
The best guess by historians (and this guess is backed up by trivial stuff like facts) is that they were monumental tombs to see the Pharaohs into the afterlife. Obviously, the most likely scenario is that they were the remnants of an alien spacecraft parking lot. Either way they are astonishing, to have marshalled the work force and mastered the technology to build them was an amazing feat. (Although, had you been able to navigate your way across the universe to crash land in a desert, surely all things are possible.)
Then of course there is the Sphinx. This amazing man faced lion is in a terrible state and yet still retains the power to inspire awe. This statue is smaller than you may think at only 22m high but is as much of a mystery as ever it has been. Whose face is it? Recently it has been suggested that the sphinx was built many years before the pyramids (space aliens again?). Who knows? Go and see it because it is suffering from some internal strife that science has thus far been unable to halt.
Seeing the pyramids at dawn or during one of the daily sunset light shows will be a memory that will stay with the visitor for eternity.
Abu Simbel
This is the huge array of ancient statuary that was saved for posterity from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Essentially, it comprises the great temple of Rameses II. The most famed aspect of this complex are the four seated statues of the Gods Amun, Ptah and Harakhty as well as Rameses himself. Also on the same site is the rock cut temple of Hathor.
Abu Simbel is in the Upper Egypt region that makes it a sensitive area with access controlled however there are signs that restrictions are being relaxed. Check locally for further information.
Luxor and Karnac
If it is possible, this rivals - if such a thing could be - the Pyramids. Luxor is a modern city based around the ruins of the 4000-year-old city of Thebes. This is the site of the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens (including the very impressive Tomb of Nefertari) and the Temple of Hatshepsut.
The most well known of all sites on offer are the Temples of Karnac. A truly stunning example of the Pharaohs building work. As with the Pyramids, Karnac is best seen during one of the daily light and sound shows. In the centre of Luxor is the Temple built by Amenophis III, there are also two small but decent museums in the town centre.
And the Rest?
Egypt is covered in sites of grandeur and interest, there are impressive Temples, Churches, Mosques and statues all over. The Pharaohs are just part of the story there is stuff from Alexander, the Romans and the Arabs to take in as well. A short weekend break is not going to do the trick.
Food, Drink and a Place to Sleep
Accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets is available. There are very basic (and grim) hotels up to some of the grandest hotels the world has to offer and everything in between.
Egypt is not recognised as one of the world's culinary leaders with very good reason. Whilst there may not be much choice, the food is cheap and filling.
Egypt is not the place to go for a booze-fuelled break. Alcohol is available; the best bet is to stick to the beer it is drinkable unlike the wine and spirits. I have tried Arrack, the local firewater, and it is horrendous. Getting stinking drunk in the bar of your westernised hotel and then going reeling through the streets singing ABBA's greatest hits won't win you many friends.
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