Maze: Petra

Maze: Petra, One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Jordanian Nights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT2OFAjvSPI
A Royal Welcome in Petra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkzYkz9Y95E
Petra - Ancient Capital of the Nabateans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4LPOWadKJA

Leaving Mt. Sinai we headed towards the eastern shores of the Sinai Peninsula and on the Red Sea where we stopped for lunch at the Hilton and thereafter went on our way north of the Taba Border (Egypt/Israel border). At the border, we were screened, interviewed, and checked four times. My luggage was randomly checked and put aside for more than 2 hours. Then, came an inspector, lifted up the heavy luggage and 5 times he had to screen it because something was suspicious inside. Finally, he took out a metal camel souvenir out of the luggage, told it's okay and off I went to the waiting bus. It took almost three hours, maybe 4 hours, for the tour group to pass the Israeli border. We were met by the Eilat representative and took a short city tour in Eilat - Israel's southernmost town on the Red Sea. We crossed to Jordan where we were met by Naj, our Jordanian guide, and drove via the City of Aqaba along the King's Highway to Wadi Musa - the Jordanian village located at the entrance to the ancient city of Petra.

Big handsome photos of Hashemite Kings Hussein & Abdullah greeted us at Petra Visitors Centre. Hashemite is the family name of Jordan's kings.

Published  11/20/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot
Web Page:  Maze: Petra

The Ampitheater

Petra, also known as rose-red city, was the ancient capital of the Nabateans from the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AC. Carved by the Nabateans out of solid rock, the city was forgotten for hundreds of years until it was rediscovered in 1812 by Johannes Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer who convinced his Bedouin guides to take him to the lost city. Most of the buildings, built after establishment of Roman rule in 106 AD, are rock-cut fronts of tombs that look like temples.

I looked like a mysterious Bedouin in this snapshot with fellow explorer Susan in my favorite Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) scarf.

Maze: Pharaoh's Solar Boat

Maze: Solar Boat Museum

Pharaoh's Solar Boat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MrG49DqLso

The main attraction is the ancient Egyptian cedar wood boat dating back 4,500 years.

Fabulous shot of the Group

 

 

Published  11/29/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Web Page:  Pharaoh's Solar Boat

Maze: Old Cairo

Maze: Old Cairo

The city lies at the head of the Nile Delta, on the right bank of the Nile River.  The name Cairo comes from the Arabic words EL Qahira, which means "victorious city."  It was founded 640 A.D.  It became the capital of Egypt under the Fatimite caliphs.  In 1517 the Ottoman Turks captured the city.  Napoleon and the French forces occupied  Cairo between 1798 and 1801.  The British took control in 1882 and remained in power until 1922 when Egypt became independent.  It became a republic in 1952.   Cairo is divided into an old quarter which shows little sign of Wester influence and a new quarter. More than 200 minarets rise above the streets of the old quarter.  The mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun is probably the oldest and the finest.  The famous university Al-Azhar was founded more than 1000 years ago.  The modern or European quarter has broad boulevards, stores and restaurants line the streets, along with many modern buildings.

Cairo by Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le--QLy_Xk8

The Real Papyrus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFyPtp88t2g

Exploring the city's cultural landmarks that span three millennium of Egyptian history. The greatest unique collection of Pharaonic arts and treasures in the world is at the Egyptian Museum. No cameras are allowed and our bags had to be screened at the ground entrance and just inside the door of the museum. I forgot the alloted time but we got to see the Old Kingdom Collection, the Middle and New Kingdom galleries, and Greco-Roman periods and the famous King Tut golden mask treasures with his 2 sarcophagus and Solar boats.




We continued to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church (Suspended Church), dating to the late 4th and early 5th century. The basilica was named "Al-Mu'allaqah" because it was built atop the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon.



Then we walked to the Church of St. Sergius, a 5th century Coptic Church. The basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing.

We're hungry

The smell of grilled chicken was so good, cooked at the entrance of the restaurant

Restaurant Greeter

Demonstration of many uses of  papyrus plant

Published  11/29/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Web Page:  Maze: Old Cairo

Maze: Cairo Pyramids

Maze: Cairo, Land of the Pharos

"Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Habibi." Welcome to Egypt, Darling (or sweetheart or friend). Upon arrival in Cairo and after passport control and paying the visa entry fee of $15, we were met by Mido the Egyptologist tour guide at Terminal 1.

Waiting for our tour bus

Crossing Nile River

American Embassy

 A private transfer was included from the airport to exotic Grand Pyramids Hotel. The hotel ground is quite colorful and attractive with big swimming pool and cabanas and one very unusual tree. I forgot the name but it starts with a "C."

I read the three mini-pyramids were the burial tombs of the pharoah's wives. The head dress was a "FREE" gift from the Egyptian boy Mahmoud among other things (3 pyramids model, 10 postcards and another head dress) who met me while entering the Solar Boat Museum. He kept telling me they were all free so I gave him a dollar for the stuff anyway. He had a change of mind and came back with his boss or father to ask for more payment while we were waiting to get inside the museum. We've been (there were others), "chastised" by Mido for talking with the guys and we avoided them after that. Poor Mahmoud was probably being spanked later that day. However, there's justice in the pyramidal desert. One in the group, no names so as not to embarass her, paid $40.00 for a camel ride. It's supposed to be $10.00, including a 8x11 color photograph, with Mido. Indeed, there's a sucker born every minute.

$2 tip

Camel Ride Along the Pyramids http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLQUC8d2P4I

Inside the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)

Published  11/29/10  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Web Page:  Maze: Cairo Pyramids