"WAKING UP EARLY - The Fairmont is a nice hotel, but the views, even at seven a.m., are always covered by a mix of fog and pollution... And, suddenly, just across the road, there are the Pyramids"
"THE PYRAMID OF KHUFU, a.k.a. THE PYRAMID OF CHEOPS - It's the oldest (concluded around 2560 BC) and largest of the pyramids in Giza and the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. At 146.5 metres, the Pyramid of Cheops (Greek name) was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years"
"FRAMED"
"THE GREAT PYRAMID AND MUSEUM - The Museum was specially built in 1982 to show the Khufu ship"
"THE KHUFU (CHEOPS) SHIP - The ship, 43.6 m long and 5.9 m wide, was built for Khufu and sealed into a pit at the foot of the Great Pyramid around 2,500 BC. Rediscovered in 1954, the «solar barge», a ritual vessel to carry the resurrected king with the sun god Ra across the heavens, is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved vessels from antiquity"
"THE PYRAMID OF KHAFRE a.k.a. THE PYRAMID OF CHEPHREN - The pyramid, sitting on bedrock 10 m higher than Khufu’s, which makes it appear to be taller, is 148.5 m high and is the second-largest of the Giza Pyramids"
"THE PYRAMID OF KHAFRE - The slope rises at an 53° 10' angle, steeper than the Pyramid of Khufu which has an angle of 51°50'40"
"THE PYRAMID OF KHAFRE - Built in horizontal courses, the stones at the bottom are very large, but as the pyramid rises, the stones become smaller"
"TOURISTS IN THE DESERT"
"THE PYRAMIDS OF KHUFU (CHEOPS), KHAFRE (CHEPHREN) AND MENKAURE (MIKERINOS) - It looks like you are in the desert, but the road and the houses of the city are just around the corner..."
"THE SPHINX - The Sphinx, a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head, is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 73.5 metres long, 6 metres wide, and 20.22 m high. Built in the reign of the pharaoh Khafre, it's the oldest known monumental sculpture"
"THE SPHINX - The Khafre Pyramid and the houses around the corner..."
Posts
63 comments:
Hi Folks! Here we are at the place where legend says Napoleon said to his soldiers: «From the top of those pyramids forty centuries of history look down upon you»; legend it is, as it seems that the Pyramids were not visible from the battlefield... ;)) Anyhow, this is the only one of the Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence and is also the most visited place in Egypt. No wonder!! Though it seems you’re deep in the desert, the houses of Cairo are just around the corner... Enjoy and have a great week ahead!!
Awesome! Incredible captures, Trotter! For all of my traveling, this is one place I didn't make it to and I would have loved it! Really phenomenal! Your marvelous photos are the next best thing to being there! Have a terrific week!
Sylvia
on doit se sentir tout petit devant les pyramides...des superbes photos
impressive, indeed. one must feel really small there...
Gil, this has to be my fav post of all because I dream and yearn to go to see the Pyramids..one day, I will go there. Amazing architechture, will be back to read about this again. Happy week ahead Gil
Magnifique. Il n'y a pas d'autre mot.
Some day I'll see those pyramids myself!!! I was in the south, in Luxor. There was plenty to see, but no pyramids.
quite different view to get upto aint it...!!!
a lot of my colleagues have bene telling me to visit egypt and ur pics just sealed the deal, next overseas holiday is gonna be egypt....well, if its in the winters that is...no plan to get fried in the egyptian summers!! lols!!
Lucky you - got The Sphinx with a bird!
That hotel room looks much nicer than Semiramis...
Tonight flying to Finland again...before or after xmas maybe to Lisbon - are you there or traveling?
Superbe, superbe, superbe ! Un de mes rêves d'adolescente &tait d'aller sous les pyramides. Je ne sais si mon mari aimerait par contre (il est plus intérréssé par les forts, les mines et les terrils). De toutes les façons, on n'a pas l'originale mais on a celle du Louvres qui a la même inclinaison que la pyramide de Khéops...
Wonderful shots of the pyramids and museum.
I envy you. The Portuguese have collected lots of monies from India. Now you should pay back by sponsoring my trip at least to your place.
Wow these are beautiful. I wondered how those people built the pyramids during the ancient times where there are no heavy machinery around. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful shots of Cairo and the Pyramids!
I am sad that I only had so little time in that city (and that our tour guide sucked).
I didn't even get to see the boats *sigh* :-)
Love that shot with the bird and the Sphinx!
Lovely photos!! I would really love to go to Egypt one day and it looks like it was still remarkably warm in February!
The pyramids, Sphinx and museum are amazing! Wonderful photos. I love the one with you two in front of the Sphinx.
Paz
Fantastic photographs. Particularly loved the one of the Sphinx with the bird flying over it!
The pyramids look fantastic, but I like the Sphinx the most.
Now Gil, did you ride a camel? This is probably my most favorite post ever. Oh how I would love to see the Pyramids up close and personal.
Like many, I'm particularly impressed by the sphinx with the (whatever) bird! The mist, which of course may not be so nice, gives however a very special atmosphere to the photos!
Oh wow, your Egypt series is gonna be interesting for me. Wonderful images Gil, thanks for sharing and bringing back good memories.
amazing the pyramids! thank you for the lovely virtual tour!
Now this is interesting. Can you imagine all the work put into this project. and then the Sphynx.
They should really fix it. so it doesn't get totally destroyed.
Thanks for sharing....these pictures will do for me now until I get to Cairo! :)
Have a great weekend! :)
Super shots! Always wanted to see the Pyramids! They are truly an out of the world creation!
what a wonderful creations.... paramids....ihave read paramids are full of Mystery
and secrets...i wish i will also able to visit this place and could see these paramids.
regards
Wow! The pyramids are unbelievable. Thanks for posting and sharing.
I know you don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Portugal, but blessings to your family.
They look as mysterious and beautiful as I imagined, Gil! Are visitors allowed inside the pyramids? The Spinx is so large! It's amazing that its features have lasted thousands of years!
The answer to the riddle you left in your comment to me is: "Man!"
:)
Enjoy your weekend!
The place to visit for any person interested in history. Fo me it will never be, so thank you for being my eyes! :-)
such magnificent photos... the pyramids and the sphinx. just takes my breath away.
So you have almost the same tooic. I vistied Tut-anch-Amun and you the pyramids and the sphinx.
Greetings to Portugal,
Ingrid
Wonderful photographs of the awesome structures. Re-lived my visit. Too bad I missed the ship museum.
That dirty bird....quess what it is doing above the Sphinx? This place goes on my "bucket list."
Joyce M
Hi Everybody! It took sixty years for me to get to the Pyramids; but it was worth while the wait... ;). Now the next target that has to be achieved is Patagonia... But for that I need time and time is at a premium nowadays, at least for me!! ;)
I’m glad most of you liked the post and the pictures!! Keep the comments coming and everybody will be happy... ;)
Have a great weekend! I’ll be watching the cars, including «The Beast», running through Lisbon, direction NATO Summit... ;)
Sylvia,
Don’t despair; it took me sixty years till I got there... but finally I made it... I’m sure you’ll also make it one of these days... ;)
Olivier,
C’est vrai qu’elles sont immenses; mais plus que la grandeur de sa dimension c’est ce qu’elles symbolisent qui est vraiment admirable!
Lara,
The same but in English version: more than its size, is its meaning that truly represents its glory!!
M. Kate,
I’m sure you’ll go there one of these days; rather sooner than later...
Please feel free to return anytime; and also to drop another line... ;)
Hélène,
Tu as raison; pas plus de commentaires!!
Susu,
I’m sure; I waited sixty years, but it was worth while waiting to get there one day!! There will be something of Luxor coming soon to this blog; don’t forget to keep in touch... ;)
Star,
Your colleagues were right to insist with you to break that deal; Egypt truly deserves a visit, and seeing the Pyramids life is an exciting experience... I loved it!!
Blogitse,
That bird – I wonder whether it could be an eagle – came out just on time for the picture!! Unfortunately, I’ll be stuck in Lisbon most of the time, but it will be a great pleasure if it allows me to seeing you in Lisbon!!
Lucie,
Aller sous les pyramides n’est pas très intéressant de mon point de vue, car la claustrophobie parle plus haut… Mais les voir du dehors sur place a été un spectacle unique…
Rajesh,
The shots were probably not that good, but the site and the monuments are absolutely awesome... ;))
No one has ever showed me these wonders in such an immediate way. Splendid
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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Part Two:
Alexander,
Amazing it was, but rather short, taking into account the dimension of what lies there to be seen... ;)
P.N.Subramanian,
No reason for envy... First the Portuguese traded in India and didn’t «collect» that amount of monies you mentioned... And, second, they still left there many buildings that are now listed by UNECO as World Heritage Sites. And that is something that actually brings monies to the country... ;)
But OK, I’ll be glad to treat you to a nice dinner (maybe more than one...) in Lisbon, when you decide to land here... ;))
Alice,
That’s a question that everybody puts and that is much more difficult to answer than the riddle from the sphinx... ;)
Nicole,
Shame you had little time there; mine wasn’t too much also, but at least I managd to see three of the most important areas there: Pyramids, Museum and Islamic Cairo... I wonder if all guides in Egypt suck... Our guide was also a disaster... ;)
The bird is a must!! ;)
Emm,
It is always remarkably warm... ;) In Cairo, in February, temperatures were about + 23º Celsius and the locals were complaining of that awful cold they were experiencing... Don’t know if you can notice in pictures that policemen are wearing heavy flannel suits... ;)
Paz,
Thanks! That one had to be taken... Memories for a later digital re-visit... ;). It seems that a dozen of sphinxes were found in Luxor... There is still a lot to be discovered under the sand...
Ash,
That bird was kind enough to fly over the sphinx when I was ready to shoot the picture... ;)
Juka,
It’s definitely a good choice and I have nothing against it... Except that the pyramids are a fabulous engineering achievement... ;)
Lynn,
No I didn’t... They were trying to get tourist to make a camel tour around the pyramids, but it definitely looked like a tourist trap... So, no camel’s ride... ;)
As for the rest, start packing: winter is the best season... ;)
Peter,
It would be great if the bird was an eagle... ;). It’s true that the kind of mixture between humidity and pollution gives a certain atmosphere to the pictures...
Part Three:
Celine,
I’m sure you will have much to remember with these series of Egypt photos; if I remember well, it was not that long ago that you went twice to Egypt... And there will be pictures from some other regions in the country also; not only Cairo and Giza... ;))
Magic,
It’s my great pleasure to take you around on the virtual ride of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx... ;)
Lady,
I don’t know how they can fix it without covering it... As the greatest damage comes from the polluted atmosphere, the best way to keep it is the way it had been during hundreds of years: under the desert sand... ;)
Yvonne,
I’m glad it fits until you manage to get there; but you have better hurry, because the good season to go there – winter – is very short--- ;))
Rakesh,
It’s an amazing experience; in particular due to the atmosphere of the site, which is unique... And the idea that you are deep inside in the desert and suddenly there is a small apartment building just on the other side of the protection wall is absolutely disturbing...
Seema,
There are lots of stories about the pyramids, the tombs, the sphinx and everything else in Egypt; not everything will be true, but there must be some fair part of the tales with a reasonable ground... ;))
I’m sure you’ll make it one day, if you truly want to see it...
Ron,
The pyramids are awesome!!
We actually celebrate Christmas, with turkey, not Thanksgiving... But with the NATO Summit and Mr. Obama here, we are having a great deal of American flavour in Lisbon these days... Anyhow, Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of yours!!
Pat,
The biggest mystery is how it was possible to build such things in those times... ;)
You may get inside the Cheops or the Chephren pyramids, provided that you buy a special extra ticket; I didn’t, but people told me that it was not that exciting... and a bit claustrophobic... ;)
Your answer was given by Oedipus and Thebes was free from the Sphinx. The problem was that Oedipus had, by that time, fulfilled only half of the prophecy (to kill is father Laius) and would go to Thebes to fulfil the second part of it (to marry his mother Jocasta)... Everything to the delight of a certain doctor who would be born in 1856 in Moravia, Austrian Empire... ;)
Rune,
History is paramount... ;)
Eye,
It’s incredible when you experience it straight on the spot!!
Hi,
Great photos with excellent commentary. It is a treat to watch these lovely pyramids. The engineering excellence of the ancient Egyptians are to be marveled. I wonder how many workers had to labor to build these awesome structures.
Many thanks for these lovely photos.
Best wishes,
Joseph
Amazing and miraculous both the Pyramids and the Spinx!
W O W !
You two have seen EVERYTHING!
Have a great weekend to you Gil and Mrs. T.
THanks for sharing~
xox
Constance
Egypt is amazing! I wish we could have seen them in their original glory though, before all the covering was stripped
Hello Gil! Your images are always fantastic! These views of the Pyramids and of the The Sphinx are marvellous, nice collages too!
Thanks for sharing, have a very pleasant Sunday :-)
wow that's amazing, I wish I would be there in some days in future :p
And answer for your question: The answer is a human.
At the beginning of life (the morning) he crawls as a baby on all fours. During the middle of his life he walks on two legs (noon) and at the end of his life (the night) he walks with a cane (three legs). The cane is an ancient symbol representing knowledge according to Egyptian belief. (Hehe I got it from http://wiki.answers.com)
have a nice weekend ^^
Wow! Really looks like an amazing place. All that history and fantastic scenery.
Have a great start to your week!
Many thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come visit again tomorrow!
Trotter, this is really on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Part Four:
Ingrid,
Actually we had the same topic, but on my previous post, as I was in Cairo and visited the Museum where the treasures of Tutankhamen are on display!!
Yosse,
Thanks for your visit and first time comment here at Blogtrotter Two!! I’m glad that my post made you re-live your memories... The museum is much more interesting (for me) than going inside the pyramids... The ship is absolutely stunning!!
Joyce,
I don’t think it is a dirty bird... and I don’t think it is doing what you’re thinking it is doing... ;))
Cloudia,
Aloha! Close encounters my dear... ;)
Joseph,
Thanks! It’s truly incredible how they managed to build those structures: the last theory to come to the market is that the stones were not carried up but built up there with sand, water and some sort of chemicals... Amazing stories to entertain you on weekends... ;)
Constance,
Not yet everything, but we are making a huge effort... ;))
xoxo
Online Whatever,
Egypt is amazing, but spam is dreadful...
Pietro,
Thanks! The pictured objects surely played a great role in the (alleged) beauty of the pictures... ;)
Galaxy,
I’m sure you’ll make it there one of these days!! As for the answer to the riddle, it used to be Man, but Wiki just made it politically correct... ;)
Joy,
It surely is much more than an amazing place...
Rhonda,
Wow! Great to have you back!!
So, time to start packing?
Hi Trotter, these are fantastic photos from, I am sure, unforgettable trip. What a wonderful feeling being there and enjoying the beauty of the eternal wonder of the world. You and your wife even touched the peak of the pyramid. Very creative photos, I like them very much as well as the one with you two in front of the Sphinx. All other photos are just fantastic. I really enjoyed.
Meda,
Thanks! The whole Egypt trip was a thrilling experience, but Giza is always... Giza...
Hi Trotter, I know the answer to your question:) It's a human, isn't it:)
Lovely, lovely post! Awesome photos - you know, I'm one the very few Polish who have never been to Egipt, and Lol, will have to change it soon!!!!
Have a nice week ahead:)
Hi Gil,
Of course I am always interesting in travelling, even with a puppy-dog,
How fantastic the sttatue and the pyramides, we have been there and I feel the heat of the sn, the high stones, and the great yellow/golden colours of the desteny-sand, Great to see this back, brings back good memories, thanks for showing and enjoy:)
Gtreetings JoAnn Holland
Joo,
It's true that it seems to be Poles all around Egypt; no wonder, with your winter... ;)
JoAnn,
Great to bring your good memories back!! In February, the sun was just fair enough; 25º to 27º Celsius, maximum, in Cairo...
wow just incredible. One of the world wonders. I love the pyramids
Great pictures
Marja,
Actually, the only one of the Ancient World Wonders remaining...
These photos are great, so much more impressive than ones you see in guide books etc.
The boat is just incredible.
Dina,
The boat in wood... it's truly astonishing how it lasted...
Wonderful!
Celine,
Thanks!
Bonaparte avait le sens de la formule.
Ce qui laisse à penser que n'est pas impérial qui veut.
Daniel,
Tu as raison! En fait, il n'y est pas quoi que ce soit qui veut... ;)
L'ambiance du site est très bien rendue.
G@tto,
Merci!
Wow! Everything looked so ancient. How did it feel standing in the midst of majestic Egypt?
What will be different in your 2011?
Many thanks for your patience, and for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come visit again tomorrow!
Joy,
It was absolutely stunning!!
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