We began our day with a light breakfast at the hotel. It was quite a spread but we didn’t really have time to eat since we were meeting at 8 am.
All the Avalon people met our guide in the lobby and headed out in a big bus.
We passed Tahrir Square on our way to the Egyptian Museum.
We drove through Cairo Downtown.
We finally arrived at the Egyptian Museum. This is the old museum. The grand opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum was today.
This is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East.
The Narmer Palette shows early hieroglyphics.
The statue below depicts King Khafre (Khefren to the Greeks), the builder of the second-largest pyramid at Giza. It was found in the valley temple of his pyramid complex.
Behind the King’s head is a falcon, which is the god Horus.
The Cairo scribe is carved and painted. It was discovered in 1893 and depicts the person who recorded and preserved the history and stories about Egypt’s culture.
So many amazing statues and artifacts dating back as far as 5000 years ago.
Rahotep and his wife Nofret were discovered in 1871. They are among the most famous statues of individuals not considered gods or kings. They are almost in perfect condition.
Some other statues at the museum.
We spent approximately three hours in the museum. Our guide Ihab or Bob, gave a very thorough and informative talk.
Bruce and I had some water, a mango smoothie, and a crepe as we waited to board our bus.
Our next stop was the Cairo Citadel. This is the Muhammad Ali Mosque.
It is an impressive fortress from the Middle Ages and it is a monument in Islamic Cairo.
A copper clock tower stands tall above the outer open courtyard of the mosque.
We needed to remove our shoes to go inside the mosque.
Inside is also the shrine of Mohmmed Ali. Not the boxer but a leader whose dynasty ruled for 150 years and his objective was to modernize Egypt.
After we visited the Citadel we returned to our hotel for a hot shower.
Bruce and I had drinks and pastries before dinner.
We ate at a Peruvian restaurant in the hotel. I had a delicious avocado and fruit salad.
Now it’s time for bed. We are meeting at 7:30 tomorrow to head to Giza.
#egypt#egyptianmuseum#rahotep#citadel#islam#misque#mohammadali#khafre#scribe#artifacts
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