,My Travels...Cairo/Alexandria
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Travel and Places
As Royal Jordan wheels touched the runaway, most passengers aboard the plane clapped their hands vigorously.. We were surprised and amused. It was their way of saying "bravo" for safe landing...
We arrived Cairo on a hot afternoon. I found that Cairo was a noisy city. Everyone was honking at each other and according to a friend, this was because there were not enough signs and traffic lights so the drivers had to honk their way in order to avoid accidents. We were ushered for lunch in a posh looking semi open air restaurant with fancy decors and colours. There were big platters on low tables and round low sofas with throw cushions. We sat ourselves comfortably as the waiters served us cold drinks. Moments later plates upon plates of rolled beef/chicken/mutton/veges were laden on the big platter. Sauces and gravy with fresh salads were brimming to the sides. We ate with gusto as we were hungry and almost finished everything on the platter. As we were contemplating dessert, in came the waiters with hugh plates of beriyani rice and chicken/mutton/beef with bowls of salads, gravy and sauces and curries. Our jaws dropped. What was that we had just eaten??? Wasnt that lunch??
We found out that those served earlier were actually appetisers! lol. Like it or not, we have to eat the tasty beriyani and chicken, and mind you, it was not a small portion.. it was gigantic enough to feed 2 - 3 people. That was our 2nd surprise. Luckily our dessert was just a big hugh basket laden with succulent grapes and fruits!!
The next day we were brought to Cairo Museum to see early civilisations. There were relics and artifacts, ornaments and trinkets. Ladies assessories worn by the egyptians of early civilisation were now worn by ladies of today. Our guide was a burly young egyptian with speaking skills full of zest and fury. All his explanation, descriptions were explicit and detailed. We were more awed by the way his mouth and hands moved than his polished facts..heheh
I paid 30 pounds to see the mummies. The rest stayed away for reasons only known to themselves and one of my friend's husband teased and cautioned me to be careful as the spirits of the mummies could follow me back and I could fall sick and feverish. I laughed it off and went ahead to see the mummies. It was really amazing to see bodies of dead people hundreds of years ago still intact and preserved. I looked at the faces and realised that they had certain characteristics...for example, their noses...all were hooked. Was glad I took the opportunity to see the mummies because I would not know when I would be able to visit Cairo again.
That night before I went to bed, I heard knocks on my room door...When my friend opened the door, she found that it was my friend whose husband had cautioned me about the spirits. He was having fever and was uneasy and sick. She asked for some panadols. She left and I thank god that I was not sick nor hit with a fever. What a co-incident!!
Giza, Cairo was scorching hot when we arrived. The pyramids and sphinx were tall and magnificient. They looked supreme and mighty, mysterious and enchanting. We were excited and started taking photographs with background of the pyramids and sphinx... just to let the world know...hey!... we have been here :P!! Soon my friends drifted away from me and as I was busy focussing my lens on the view infront, I heard a coarse voice calling..."hello... hello.. camel ride and photo...juz 10 pounds." I looked up and was taken aback when I saw a tall big camel hovering over me with a bedouine master on its back. I moved away and shook my head. I walked a few paces and the camel and its master followed suit. I looked around and was startled when I realised none of my friends or other tourists were in sight. They were all so far away close to the pyramids and I was in the vast open desert with the camel and its master in pursuit.
It was really a hot day..but my heart felt cold and chilly. God I was scared. I walked towards the pyramids and the camel and its master followed. The master kept on calling. I looked around in fear ..and far away, I could see my guide waving frantically at me and the driver driving at full speed towards us. He braked dramatically and the guide shouted some arabic words to the bedouine and then faced me and asked me to go and find my friends and not walk alone. I sheepishly asked why and he grunted ..."The camelmaster might just carry you away into the desert for good...ma lady.."
I gasped...."really...oh...how romantic!!! A camel and his handsome master kidnapping me and carrying me away into the desert horizon...lost in the sunset ...forever.. hmm..not many ladies will get such opportunity " ..heheh :P.
It was time to go into the pyramid. As we lined up for our turn, we were again surprised when we were told to go down on our feet at the entrance. Oh why?? we asked and was told the passageway was narrow and low and the only way to move was to duckwalk our way inside. We wriggled and waddled to our destination. A great tip for ladies: Make sure you dun't have a male waddling behind you. It will not be a pretty sight unless you have a butt like Jenniffer Lopez..
Inside the pyramid was empty cubicle save for some machinery which I believe could be the airconditioning system or oxygen machine so that the air inside would not be stuffy and suffocating. There was no treasure inside, not even a small golden trinket embedded on the walls. Looked like everything had been taken out and polished clean..lol. That night we all dreamt of pyramids and sphinx, camels and handsome bedouines...kidnap and romance... but most of all, we dreamt about old fat ducks and drakes waddling...wriggling.. gasping....oooh our tired legss....our bended knees..painful feet...lol
The Nile night cruise was really enchanting and beautiful. As the boat cruised the legendary Nile river, singers sang and danced . International buffets were served and we were entertained with belly dancing. The men liked this part very much..:). Also there was this guy with flowing colourful skirt dancing round and round and round...in circles and it kinda made my head dizzy....and my eyes squinted.. . However, I appreciate his efforts and skills... simply awesome..! "This is one cruise one should never miss ...especially if you are on honeymoon (now I sound like someone from the tourism department heheh).".
At other times, we visited mosques and famous sites and tombs. We took walks after dinners enjoying the cool air and talked to the locals. We befriended other travellers and went shopping for crystals and knicknacks. It was really an enjoyable stay in Cairo.
We left Cairo for a day trip to Alexandria. Alexandria was and is famous for its beach and resort. The scenery here was simply refreshing and invigorating. We returned to Cairo that night, tired but happy and started packing our bags for home sweet home.
Cairo will always stay in my heart...coz I know u have many more surprises instore for me...
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