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18
africa/middle east: exploring egypt
EGYPT’S
1 ALEXANDRIA
Founded by Alexander
the Great and ruled by
Cleopatra, this city’s
history has impressive
lineage. With its
Mediterranean shores,
bustling cafés and
ancient treasures,
ToP 10
Alexandria, which is on
the march to modernism,
is one of Africa’s most
enjoyable and
fascinating cities
to visit.
ALEXANDRIA 1
What else does this historic nation have to offer besides
the iconic pyramids? more than you could have imagined.
Guidebook writer Mark honan picks his top ten sights. it’s
2 CAIRO
GIZA 3
not hard to see why egypt is a favourite Kumuka destination!
2 CAIRO
This high density, high intensity city is likely to be
your first port of call. Hot, dusty and teeming with
traffic, but nevertheless compelling, Cairo provides
a fine introduction to Egypt, both ancient and
modern. For the old, hunker down in the Egyptian
Museum, where mummies and sarcophagi abound.
For the new, there’s Cairo Tower, offering expansive
views over the city. The Al-Azhar area combines
mosques and a medieval ambience, as well as full-on
commerce in the Al-Khalili bazaar. A strange and
sobering site is the Northern Cemetery. Colloquially
called the ‘City of the Dead’, its mausoleums actually
5 ThE NILE
house poor families (of the breathing variety).
3 GIZA
RED SEA 10
History casts a long shadow in Egypt, but nowhere more so than in Giza. On the edge
of the desert yet within easy reach of Cairo, this plateau has been the foundation of
the world’s most astounding monuments for 4500 years. Jawdropping in their scale,
simplicity and precision, the Great Pyramids of Giza do not disappoint, no matter how high
your expectations may be. Thoughts of the effort and artistry involved in creating these
immense edifices continues to boggle the mind, no matter how many times you return.
The largest pyramid, containing the funerary chamber of Cheops (Khufu), is 146.5 m-high
and comprises around 2.3 million massive stone blocks (some weigh up to 80 tonnes). Giza
is also home to the Sphinx. Despite lacking a face (legend mistakenly blames Napoleon’s
soldiers for taking pot shots at it), it is serene, mysterious and magical. 4
6 LUXOR
4 WESTERN DESERT
WESTERN DESERT
7 VALLEY OF
Except for the coast and a ribbon of green along the Nile, Egypt is
ThE KINGS
gripped by desert – an undulating terrain of sand and rock. Although
transfixing in its nothingness, the desert also offers some splendid
oases. Bahariya and Farafra, with swathes of date palms and lemon
groves, and goats and donkeys rummaging among the vegetation,
are two such places. Both also have the added attraction of hot
springs (as if the desert wasn’t hot enough already!), which are great
ASWAN 8
to wallow in as the heat of the day wanes.
5 ThE NILE
There’s something great about messing about in boats, more so when the Nile is
your playground. The felucca is a relaxing and peaceful way to spend time (and a
great way to get from A to B). With Egyptian life revolving around the Nile – the
country’s lifeline – a trip along its waters offers you the opportunity to take it all in. A
particularly amazing stretch to sail through lies between Edfu Temple and Aswan –
9 ABU SIMBEL
temples simply slide by, parading lines of rib-like pillars speared skywards. Observe
water buffalo nibbling reeds in the shallows, women pummelling dirty clothing on
the rocks and other feluccas gliding along, seemingly skimming the water’s surface
and leaving barely a ripple.
CAll US toDAy! UK 0800 092 9595 ire 1800 946 843 USA/CAn 1800 517 0867 8

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summer / autumn 2007 Venture Venture summer / autumn 2007
P18-19 EGYPT CRMP.indd 18 17/8/07 07:36:16
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