Pyramids in Gisa.

[cHodAX]

I am considering going to see the pyramids of Mexico instead, might be a bit smaller in scale but I like the idea of Mexico as a country more than Eygpt.

 

[Wij]

Hehe, you are a true gent Oh Lawrence

You didn't miss too much with the camels - it was quite minging to see the number of flies that just sit around the camels' mouth/slobber. Kind of like a cartoon sketch with a moving insect beard.

I agree, the Valley of the Nobles was impressive, as you say for the solitary feeling you get it being off the main tourist route a little bit more. Seeing the lives of non-nobles and how they were depicted was interested; similar to the tombs at Saqqara as you get some insight into normal peoples' lives rather than the high and mighty. That said, it was odd going into King Tut's tomb to see what a bloody hovel it was compared to some of the other kings' tombs.

Well, he was kind of the arse-end of the 18th Dynasty

 

[Turamber]

I am considering going to see the pyramids of Mexico instead, might be a bit smaller in scale but I like the idea of Mexico as a country more than Eygpt.

The South American pyramids are impressive but I don't know if their cultural achievements compare to those of the Egyptians. Although it is quite hard to compare: "I'll give them 10 points for the stepped pyramids but deduct 7 for human sacrifice".

Anyway, I climbed a ruined Mayan pyramid in Mexico. It didn't look too tall from the ground but ... oh, my, goodness. 'twas higher than Pete Docherty in a 747 toilet doing recreational substances (allegedly).

Some pictures here (including a very bad one of me trying to be hip): Mexico 2009 | Facebook

 

[kiliarien]

Well, he was kind of the arse-end of the 18th Dynasty

Master Egyptology skills or was that just Wiki?

 

[Wij]

Master Egyptology skills or was that just Wiki?

I know the 18th dynasty quite well

 

[russell]

Any more Egyptian tips -am finally looking into my Nile cruise now that the troubles have died down,
Cheers, Russ x

 

[Scouse]

Learn to dance @russell, comes in really handy:

Spoiler

]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWP-AsG5DRk&feature=kp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWP-AsG5DRk&feature=kp[/spoiler


Other than that, have a great time

 

[Job]

Download the Imax movie in hd...mysteries of the Nile...see it on a big tv...awesome.

 

[Gumbo]

You think the troubles have died down?

 

[Raven]

Worse than ever, the news is just bored of them now and moved onto something else to show us 24 hours a day.

 

[DaGaffer]

Still on my list (want to dive at Sharm as well) but I doubt it will be on the agenda for a while. On the other hand, if you want similarly impressive history with a lower chance of getting shot in the face, go to Jordan, I would highly recommend Petra; its incredible.

 

[throdgrain]

I went to the pyramids, it was a bit of a mess. And that was in 1980.

God only knows what its like now

 

[Wij]

Don't just see the tourist favourites. IE. Valley, Giza, Ramses II monuments.

That misses out all the middle kingdom and all the old kingdom except the 4th dynasty.

Try to find the bent pyramid, the red pyramid and the stepped pyramid. All older than the pyramids of Giza. Middle kingdom has Abydos and Dahshur, see if you can find them even though they look a bit fucked

 

[Yoni]

Went to Egypt as part of my honeymoon an eternity ago.... I was uninspired by the pyramids, and the smell (locals used them to piss in)

I am going back this year but to snorkel in the Red Sea

 

[russell]

Travel agents warnings are amber not red and have spoken to people out there in March and the cruise I want avoids any potential hot spots. Fingers crossed. Also it's really quiet at all the places as people have been avoiding it!

 

[old.user4556]

I went to the pyramids, it was a bit of a mess. And that was in 1980.

God only knows what its like now

Did anyone see An Idiot Abroad when Karl Pilkington went to the Pyramids?

Jesus, what a shithole.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KktkoTZOn6U

 

[throdgrain]

Yeah, it was quite like that then

 

[sayward]

Was not impressed with the pyramids. Had no idea they were so close to Cairo til I got there.

 

[Scouse]

Was surprised by the closeness of Cairo, but if you put it in historical perspective (and look at them from the Cairo side - so the desert is behind) it's hard not to be impressed IMO.

They're massive and all those stones were put there by hand.

 

[Wij]

Impressive that the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure for nearly 4,000 years.

Impressive that when the 7 wonders of the ancient world were compiled they were by far the oldest and are the only one still standing today.

Impressive the after the 4th Dynasty, that level of craftsmanship was never re-attained. Middle-kingdom pyramids were poor in comparison and did not last.

 

[old.user4556]

Man-made structure, or thousands-of-slaves-made structure?

 

[Scouse]

Man-made structure, or thousands-of-slaves-made structure?

Slave mice? Robots? Aliens?

Oh. No.

 

[DaGaffer]

or thousands-of-slaves-made structure?

Apparently not.