Foto

This is the 2nd posting to my travelogue, describing our trip to Egypt and Israel in Nov-Dec 2009.

This shot was taken on top of a camel, during our visit to the Pyramids. We had passed the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre, and came across Menkaure's pyramid with a sun ready to set.

Prior to riding the camel, we were able to venture inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu. As we arrived late in the afternoon, not a lot of visitors were climbing the narrow passageway up to the pharaoh's chamber. The climb was a bit tough, about 25 meters that you have to climb crouched, as the ceilings are really low, arriving at the great chamber, which is a 50 meter long corridor, about 10 meters high. This is the second part of the climb, which is not as bad as you can take your time and walk slowly up while thinking why one would spend so much effort to build a pyramid 5,000 years ago. When we arrived at the King's chamber, we were the only visitors inside along with the empty lidless sarcophagus. The king's chamber was a bit airless, given that fresh air is probably difficult to get into the pyramid. The chamber is empty, so we imagined what kind of treasures could have been found and unfortunately is now lost.

TIP to TRAVELERS: if you plan to visit the pyramids, I recommend you start your day early, as there are many sites to visit and many different angles to look and photograph the pyramids. I can't say how hot it gets during the summer, but I do regret not having spent many more hours contemplating them.