GIZA- Egypt's symbol and Icon

Giza is located around 12 kilometers from the Egyptian capital, Cairo.  Giza is world famous for the Giza Plateau on which the Great Pyramids and Great Sphinx are located.  Out of the 100+  pyramids in Egypt, the Giza Pyramids are the most famous.  The Pyramids of Giza is the only ancient wonder in the world to be still fully intact.  The other 6 ancient wonders of the World have perished due to the elements and mother nature. The Great Pyramids consist of three Pyramids.  The three Pyramids are the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaura.  The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the three and was built during the reign of Khufu between 2551-2528BC.  The pyramid's height is 146.59 meters and was the world's tallest building for over 4000 years.  The sides of the base measure is 230 x 230 x 230 meters, with a margin of error at just one in a thousand. This grand pyramid consists of 2.5 million blocks with each block weighing between 2 and 30 tons. This pyramid, if you see it in person, will overpower you due to its immense size and surprising accuracy of its dimensions.  In some areas of the pyramid you can't even place a piece of paper between the blocks. Now how insane is that!! Even with today's technology I am not sure if we could accomplish as much as the Egyptians accomplished over 4500 years ago.


 The pyramid was believed to have been built over the course of 20 years, with 100,000 people working under its realm.  The men worked three month shifts and were to be terminated at the end when the pyramid was to be completed.  So a question arises, Why would they want to kill their workers, shouldn't they be praised for all their hard work and courage?  Well, they had to die because they knew where the passage of the pyramid was and where all its treasures were located.  Even though the Egyptians intended to kill all of the workers, it never got accomplished.  They terminated some, but could not terminate all of them.  This may be a major reason why many treasures were taken out of these pyramids.


The second biggest Pyramid in Giza is called the Pyramid of Khafre.  This pyramid is slightly shorter then the pyramid of Khufu- a mere 6 meters only.  This pyramid sits up higher on the Giza Plateua and thus from a distance looks like it is the tallest.  Also, what makes this particuar pyramid unique is the fact that its external covering is still intact towards the top of this pyramid.  


The smallest Giza Pyramid is called the Pyramid of Menkaura.  This is the smallest of the three and is only 65 meters tall. Back in the day it was claimed to be one of the most beautiful as it was once was coated with pink granite.  Near the Menkaura pyramid lies three smaller pyramids.  These smaller pyramids were built for the Pharoahs' wives and mothers.  These types of pyramids are scattered around the Great Pyramids of Giza.  


The Sphinx is located 500 meters east of the Pyramid of Khafre.  The Sphinx is the largest monolith ( built out of a single stone) in the world and was sculpted out of limestone.  The sphinx's body is that of a lion, an Egyptian symbol of regal power.  The face of the lion is believed to be that of Khafre himself.  This magnificent structure is 20 meters high and 57 meters long and the head alone measures about 5 meters.  When approaching the Great Sphinx you realize that there are holes in the face of it.  These holes caused by guns during Napoleon's rule.  Back then people looked upon these structures with fear and believed they were outside evil powers.  Napoleon's famous quote when in Egypt is, "From the summit of these monuments ," cried Napoleon, "forty centuries look upon you!"  This quote just reinforces how old and powerful these monuments are.  Also, do not miss the building to the right of the Great Sphinx because if you enter and ascend a pathway you are presented with the best view of the Sphinx and it is the best place to take pictures of both the Great Sphinx and Great Pyramid at the same time.  At this point it is almost surreal as it seems you can almost touch the mouth of the lion.  Also, at this area you begin to realize the immenseness of this monument.  


One experience that cannot be missed when in Giza is a camel ride.  This was particularly the most amazing part of Giza for me.  In order to ride a camel, I suggest you drive to a little west of the Pyramids and ride one from there.  This area cannot be missed as there are many camels, people, some shops, as well as tour buses.  I recommend this to be the best place to ride camels because from this point you get to ride a camel towards the Great Pyramids of Giza.  It gives you ample amount of time to take in the legendaryness of riding a camel towards perhaps the most famous and most spectacular monuments in the world!  Also, unlike camel rides at the base of the Pyramids, you get to ride the camel for an extensive distance, about a kilometer or so.  If you ride one at the base of the pyramids then you may only be able to ride one for only a couple of meters or so and thus doesn't give you an overall viewpoint on the Giza Plateau. When riding camels in Egypt, particulary in Giza you must be firm and not give them more money when they ask. At times the Egyptian's won't even let you off a camel until you pay them more.  This can get chaotic and thus I suggest that you let your tour guide talk to the Camel owners.  This is best as they can deal out a fixed price for a camel ride.  Also, when riding camels you must lean far back initially as the camel stands up.  If you don't then you could find yourself falling off or eating some sand. Also, Egyptians are always looking for tips and thus expect them for practically doing nothing at all.  If you take a picture of them or their camel then they will come up to you and demand a tip- so try to avoid this tip situation as they can become really annoying and demanding.  


For lunch I recommend the restaurant near the Sound and Light show seats.  This is a very good 5* restaurant that has amazing food, particularly good kakobs.  Also, this restaurant's view is one of the best in the world as it is located directly in front of the Great Sphinx and Pyramids.  The prices are quite reasonable and the views are breathtaking.  Also, it is relatively close to the Pyramids- about a 3 minute walk.  I highly recommend this restaurant due to all of these reasons.


Hotel wise we stayed at the Oasis at the Pyramids of Giza.  This hotel is great due to its close proximity to the Pyramids of Giza.  Also, it has a wonderful pool and extensive gardens.  It offers great breakfast each morning and an extravagantly decorated main lobby.  The rooms are quite basic but offer clean bathrooms and appliances. Even though this hotel is very nice you still don't wan tot drink the water as Egypt's water is contaminated and not good for you.  To solve this I recommend that you buy bottles of water to drink and brush your teeth with.  You are able to take showers in this water though.  If you would like to explore everything that this hotel has to offer then you can click on this link-http://www.otel.com/hotels/oasis_hotel_giza.htm?s_kwcid=hotel%20oasis%20giza%7C%7CS%7Cb%7C5339738041&gclid=CO_X9dK-tqACFQ4FZgod3TmZUQ

Also, while staying at the Oasis we went to the Great Pyramids Sound and Light Show.  This show plays every night at 6:30 in english.  Other languages are offered daily at different times.  During the Sound and Light show the pyramids are illuminated and the Sphinx 'talks.'  At this show you can take in the wonder and awe of the mighty pyramids being lit up in a variety of colors while listening to a story in which the Sphinx speaks. This Sound and Light Show will definately have a lasting impression on you. If you wish to learn more about the Sound and Light show in Giza, as well as others throughout Egypt then click on this link,  http://www.soundandlight.com.eg/