chapter 24 egypt riddles in the sand. egypt pyramids sphinx history culture nile cruises suez canal
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 24
Egypt Riddles in the Sand
Egypt Pyramids Sphinx History Culture Nile Cruises Suez Canal
How Travellers Get There
Air carriers Egyptair - MS- connections CAI – Connect through Europe
Cruise lines Alexandria Port Said
Traveller Info Documentation
Passport, visa www.voyage.gc.ca Visas can be obtained at major points of entry –
But recommended to obtain from Egyptian embassy or consulate before arrival to avoid being refused entry
Health concerns Water, sun, heat, Sanitation NOT to Canadian standards See physician prior to departure IAMAT www.iamat.org
Best time to travel Winter
Traveller Info (cont.)
Currency – Egyptian Pound www.xe.com
Language – Arabic English & French in principal resort areas
Islamic customs Work Week – Sun to Thurs Dress – conservatively Respect religious / social traditions to avoid offending
local sensitivities Drink bottled water
When to Go Peak
Dec – April Book early for cruises
Spring Shifting sands
Fall Sept – Nov
Bargains available Avoid Ramadan
Modified hours and closures shops & restaurants
Getting Around Cruise
Nile - “up” is south; “down” is north Fly south – cruise north 5 – 7 days Hotels operate most cruise ships
Plane Major cities
Road conditions poor
Getting Around (cont.)
Train 1st class
Camels, donkeys, horses Felucca Road conditions poor
Car WITH driver Cairo
Subway Best option – escorted tours
Cairo Museums
Egyptian museum King Tut Mummies, Sarcophagi
Islamic Art Mosques
Ibn Tulun Built 876-879 AD – Cairo’s oldest, intact mosque still in use
El Azhar oldest Islamic University founded in 970 AD
Sultan Hassan bronze doors inlaid with gold and silver, marble paneling
Cairo (cont.) Citadel of Salah al Din
Built between 1176 and 1182 AD panoramic view of Cairo Alabaster Mosque
Coptic Quarter The Hanging Church - al-Mu'allaqua 4th C, built over the southern gate of the fortress of Babylon Dedicated to the Virgin Mary 14th C wall-painting of the Nativity
Cairo (cont.)
Cairo Tower 187m views of the city from all sides
topped by revolving restaurant Khan el-Khalili
Souk largely unchanged since 14th century Spices, perfumes, gold & silver carpets, brass, copperware, leatherwork, glass
Giza Great Pyramids
Cheops Built 2650BC Sound & light show
Sphinx Lion’s body and man’s
head 73 m long and 20 m high Early morning - best time
to visit
Sakkara – (Saqqara) Ride on horseback from Giza
Step Pyramid King Zoser Built 27th C BC Imhotep- architect
Memphis One of the oldest cities Ramses II
Luxor Temple of Luxor
East bank 2 pharaohs built temple
dedicated to Amun Ra Amenhotep III Ramses II
Temples of Karnak East bank Greatest worship area Moon Deity Oal- Karnak – the Fort Avenue of the Rams
Luxor (cont.) Seat of power 2100–750BC
Former name - Thebes Both banks of Nile
City of Living – east City of the Dead - west
Tombs of Valley of the Queens West bank New Kingdom Carved in rock faces of
valley Queen Nefertari
Tombs of Valley of the Kings West bank New Kingdom Carved in rock faces of
valley Tut-ankh-Amun III Ramses III & VI Amenhotep II
Aswan Ancient frontier town
Distinct African atmosphere Old Cataract Hotel Souk
Aswan High Dam One of largest dams Built to avoid Nile floods 3600 m long – 40 m wide
Lake Nassar World’s largest artificial lake – 5250 km²
Aswan (cont.) Philae Island
Reassembled 500m from original site Sound & light show
Temple of Abu Simbel Salvage began in 1963 – due to High Dam Relocated on plateau facing sun
Rameses II & Nefertari
Elephantine Island Largest of the islands
Sinai Desert Mt. Horeb
www.geographia.com/egypt/sinai/mtsinai.htm Considered the peak that Moses climbed “Path of Moses” – 4,000 steps – about 3 hours to climb
St. Catherine’s Monastery www.orthodoxwiki.org/St._Catherine's_Monastery_(Sinai) Foot of Mt Sinai Also called Monastery of the Transfiguration Built 527AD
Alexandria Founded by Alexander the Great
331BC
Pharos – Legendary lighthouse
Cruise port 2nd largest city in Egypt
225km from Cairo “Pearl of the Mediterranean”
http://alexandriaegypt.com
Accommodations -Resorts Mersa Matruh
http://www.middleeast.com/mersamatruh.htm 300km W of Alexandria Rommel’s Cave
Sharm El Sheikh www.sharm-el-sheikh.com Ritz Carlton Casinos, clubs, restaurants
Hurghada www.hurghada.com 20km beaches Shipwreck diving
Canadians should follow advice of local authorities and use caution when travelling to the Sinai region. www.voyage.gc.ca
Accommodations (cont.)
Sell up! – Four Seasons, Hilton, Sonesta
Marriott Cairo Royal palace built for opening of Suez Canal 1869 Gardens
Mena House Oberoi 1869 – Hunting palace – later turned into hotel Closest hotel to Pyramids of Giza
Cruise ships on Nile 3,4,7 night Luxury 5 ٭cruises www.sonesta.com/egypt_nilecruise/page.asp?pageid=16724
Culture, Customs and Conduct Use right hand, not left Little personal space Baksheesh
Expected tips Mosques
Must remove shoes Women must be covered
Most Egyptians are conservative Moslem or Coptic
Bread – aysh pita Ful - beans Tahini, hummus Lamb, chicken Grilled pigeon Dates, figs Ahwa – coffee Mint Tea Stella beer
http://touregypt.net/Culture.htm