Egypt Vacation - March 17 - 31, 2006
Page Eight of Ten
Young boy leading a heavily-laden donkey
El Sultan Carpet School, where young students are
trained in the making of Oriental carpets.
When donkeys aren't pulling carts, they often are
providing transportation for humans.
Pyramid of Khafre at the Pyramids of Giza in greater
Cairo - Nearly 5000 years ago, Giza became the royal
burial ground (necropolis) for Memphis, capital of Egypt.
Many believe the the 3 pyramid complexes of Giza were
built to serve as tombs for their dead kings. After the king's
death, his body was brought by boat to the
temple for preparation before burial under, or in some cases,
within the pyramid. The king's close family and royal court
were buried in satellite pyramids and stone tombs called mastaba.
These pyramids were built during the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom
(2686-2181 BC).
Shirley at Great Pyramid, oldest and largest of the
Giza pyramids. Built by the 4th dynasty king Khufu
(2589-66 BC). About 450 ft. tall.
Inside Solar Boat Museum on south side of the Great
Pyramid. Holds a full size ancient boat discovered in
pieces in 1954, lying in a pit beside the pyramid. Experts
spent 14 years reassembling it using only ancient Egyptian
materials of wooden pegs and grass rope. It is not clear
if the boat was buried for the sun god or for the pharaoh's
own journey across the heavens. It could be it served as a
funerary barge, carrying the body of Khufu from Memphis
to his tomb at Giza.
Tour guide Assem, Mercedes, Margaret, and Pat
viewing the solar eclipse at the Pyramids of Giza.
Looking at the Great Pyramid and Solar Boat Museum
(white building) from Pyramid of Khafre.
Link to Egypt - Page Nine
Pat's Home Page