Egypt Travel Part XII(Final): Great Giza Pyramid Complex and Khan el Khalil Bazaar

April 1, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
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Egypt Travel Part XII(Final): Great Giza Pyramid Complex and Khan el Khalil Bazaar

Day 11   Saturday, 23 December 2017

This day was our last day of our visit in Egypt. We had two more places to go, namely, Great Giza Pyramid Complex in the Cairo outskirt and the largest bazaar, Khan el Khalil Bazaar, in Egypt that is in the Cairo city.

In the morning, we left our hotel, Le Meridien Hotel, in the outskirt of Cairo city and travelled a short distance to Giza.

Map showing the location of Giza where the Great Giza Pyramid Complex is.

Map showing the location of Giza in Egypt

Map showing the location of Giza in Egypt where well-known pyramids are sited

Ticket to visit the Great Giza Pyramid Complex in Giza in Egypt

Ticket to visit Giza Pyramid Complex in Egypt

Ticket to visit Great Giza Pyramid Complex in Egypt

The Great Giza Pyramid Complex

This place was a cemetery or necropolis for ancient Egyptian kings, queens and noblemen who lived about 4500 years ago. It is the only place in the world where the deceased were buried in large or small pyramids. Besides, there are tombs, too.

Location of the important pyramids at the Great Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Plan of Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Plan of Great Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

The important pyramids at Great Pyramid Complex, Egypt

The oldest, largest and highest pyramid at this complex is the Pyramid of Khufu(died in 2566 B.C.), second, Pyramid of Khafre(died in 2480 B.C.), and third, Pyramid of Menkaure(died in 2500 B.C.). Besides, there are three small pyramids for queens, tombs for other queens and cemeteries for noblemen.

The Pyramids at Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

The Pyramids at Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Pyramid of Khufu

Tour group posing in front of Pyramid of Khufu also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is the largest, oldest and highest pyramid in Egypt and the world too. Its height is 146.7 metres.

Tour group visiting Giza Pyramid Complex in Egypt on 23 Dec 2017

Tour group visiting Giza Pyramid Complex in Egypt on 23 Dec 2017

Writer, wife, sister-in-law and brother(left to right) at the Great Pyramid of Giza or Pyramid of Khufu

Pyramid of Khufu behind writer, wife , brother and sister-in-law is the oldest, largest and tallest pyramid in Egypt

Writer, wife , brother and sister-in-law posing in front of Pyramid Khufu, the oldest, largest and tallest pyramid in Egypt and the world too.

Pyramid of Khufu has an entrance and air shaft leading to the tombs of the King and Queen inside.

Pyramid of Khufu houses the tombs of King Khufu and his queen. It has air-shaft and entrance to their tombs.

Pyramid of Khufu houses the tombs of King Khufu and his queen. It has air-shaft and entrance to their tombs inside.

Pyramid of Khafre

Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest and highest pyramid in Egypt. Its height is 136.4 metres. Khaftre was King Khufu’s son who died in 2480 B.C..

Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest and tallest pyramid in Egypt. Khafre was Khufu's son.

Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest and tallest pyramid in Egypt. Khafre was Khufu’s son who died  in 2480 B.C..

Great Sphinx

There is a large statue of a mythical creature that has a lion’s body and human head several hundred metres from the Pyramid of Khafre. It is known as the Great Sphinx, the largest figure in the world. It was created during the reign of King Khafre from 2558 until 2532 B.C..

Great Sphinx is located further down the Pyramid of Khafre. It was created during the reign of King Khafre(2558-2532 B.C.)

Great Sphinx is located further down the Pyramid of Khafre. It was created during the reign of King Khafre(2558-2532 B.C.)

Writer’s wife and tour members posing in front of the Great Sphinx and the Pyramid of Khafre behind the sphinx

Writer's wife and tour members posing for a photo in front of the Great Sphinx, Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Writer’s wife and tour members posing for a photo in front of the Great Sphinx, Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Writer and wife trying to “touch” the top of the Pyramid of Khafre

Writer and wife trying to "touch" the top of the Pyramid of Khafre

Writer and wife trying to “touch” the top of the Pyramid of Khafre

Funerary Temple

A funerary temple was built at every pyramid for worshipping the deceased king or queen. Food and objects were offered to the deceased.

A funerary temple at every pyramid for worshiping the deceased king or queen, Food and objects were offered to the deceased.

A funerary temple at every pyramid for worshiping the deceased king or queen. Food and objects were offered to the deceased.

Writer and wife at the Great Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt, on 23 Dec 2017

Writer and wife at the Giza Pyramid Complex on 23 Dec 2017

Writer and wife at the Giza Pyramid Complex on 23 Dec 2017

Writer’s brother and wife at the Great Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt, on 23 Dec 2017

Writer's brother and wife at the Giza Pyramid Complex on 23 Dec 2017

Writer’s brother and wife at the Giza Pyramid Complex on 23 Dec 2017

Tan and family at the Great Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt, on 23 Dec 2017

Tan and family at the Giza Pyramid Complex on 23 Dec 2017

Tan and family at the Giza Pyramid Complex on 23 Dec 2017

Hilarious Moments at the Great Giza Pyramid Complex. Egypt

i. Peter Lim appearing to have flown like the Superman from the pyramids to the cameraman

Peter Lim, a tour member, appearing to have flown from the pyramids to the cameraman

Peter Lim, a tour member, appearing to have flown like the Superman from the pyramids to the cameraman

ii, Tay appearing to have jumped off the Pyramid of Khafre like the Spiderman at the Great Giza Pyramid, Egypt

Tay, a tour member, appearing to have jumped off a pyramid

Tay, a tour member, appearing to have jumped off a pyramid

iii. Yong Zhen, the tour manager, appearing to make one jump over three pyramids

Yong Zhen, the tour manager, appearing to jump over three pyramids

Yong Zhen, the tour manager, appearing to make one jump over three pyramids

iv. Tan and wife playing an exciting “game” at the Great Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Tan and wife playing an exciting "game" at the Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Tan and wife playing an exciting “game” at the Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

Camel Ride

Before we left the Great Giza Pyramid Complex, we went for a camel ride near the place in the Sahara Desert, Egypt.

Tourists love camel ride

Many tourists going for camel ride at the Giza Pyramid Complex in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Many tourists going for camel ride near the Giza Pyramid Complex in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Tour members and tourists enjoying the camel ride in the Sahara Desert

Tourists, including our tour group, love camel riding near the Giza Pyramid Complex in the Sahara Desert, Egypt,

Tourists, including our tour group, love the camel ride near the Giza Pyramid Complex in the Sahara Desert, Egypt.

Writer’s wife will never forget her first camel ride near the Great Giza Pyramid Complex in Sahara Desert, Egypt.

Writer's wife is experiencing her first camel ride in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Writer’s wife will never forget her first camel ride in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Writer and wife enjoying the camel ride together near the Great Giza Pyramid Complex in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Writer and wife enjoying the camel ride in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Writer and wife enjoying the camel ride together in Sahara Desert, Egypt

Cindy, a tour member, loves camel riding, too.

Cindy, a tour member, loves camel riding. too.

Cindy, a tour member, loves camel riding. too.

Visit to Khan el Khalil Bazaar in Cairo

After the visit to the Great Giza Pyramid and the camel ride, we went to a bazaar in Cairo city. Known as Khan el Khalil Bazaar, it is the largest in Egypt that has a few thousand stalls selling goods of all kinds ranging from daily necessities to silver and gold jewellery.

El Hossein Square

On arrival at the Cairo city, we had lunch first at a restaurant in El Hossein Square. This public square is surrounded by mosques, old buildings, restaurants and coffee-shops.

El Hossein Square is surrounded by El Hossein Mosque, a row of of coffee shops and restaurants, and large, old buildings.

El Hossein Square is surrounded by El Hossein Mosque, a row of of coffee shops and restaurants, and large, old buildings.

El Hossein Mosque

This square has a large mosque known as el Hossein Mosque. Hence, the square takes the name of the mosque. This mosque which was built in 1154 houses some sacred items like the oldest manuscripts of Quran.

El Hossein Mosque built in 1154 in the Square houses some sacred items like the oldest manuscripts of Quran.

El Hossein Mosque built in 1154 in the Square houses some sacred items like the oldest manuscripts of Quran.

A row of restaurants and coffee-shops in the El Hossein Square

 

A row of coffee-shops and restaurants in El Hossein Square,Cairo

A row of coffee-shops and restaurants in El Hossein Square, Cairo

The Khan el Khalil Bazaar is behind this row of restaurants and coffee-shops

A row of coffee-shops and restaurants in the El Hossein Square and Khan el Khalili Bazaar behind the buildings

A row of coffee-shops and restaurants in the El Hossein Square and Khan el Khalili Bazaar behind the buildings

Writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law(left to right) having lunch at a restaurant, Abou Mazen Restaurant, in El Hossein Square, Cairo, on 23 Dec 2017

Writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law having lunch at Abou Mazen Restaurant in El Hossein Square, Cairo, on 23 Dec 2017

Writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law having lunch at Abou Mazen Restaurant in El Hossein Square, Cairo, on 23 Dec 2017

Delicious Lunch

We had a delicious lunch at Abou Mazen Restaurant, El Hossein Square, Cairo, Egypt

Lunch for writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law at Abou Mazen Restaurant, El Hossein Square, Cairo

Delicious lunch for writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law at Abou Mazen Restaurant, El Hossein Square, Cairo

Egypt’s Largest Bazaar

After lunch my wife and I walked to Egypt’s largest bazaar, Khan el Khalil Bazaar, which is a few metres from the El Hossein Square and right behind the row of restaurants and coffee-shops.

Khan el Khalil Bazaar, established in 1382 in Cairo, is the largest market-place in Egypt. It has a few thousand stalls attracting domestic and foreign tourists alike.

Khan el Khalil Bazaar, established in 1382 in Cairo, is the largest market-place in Egypt. It has a few thousand stalls attracting domestic and foreign tourists alike.

Over a Thousand Shops and Stalls

There are over a thousand shops and stalls at Khan el Khalil Bazaar selling goods ranging from clothes, shoes and souvenirs to silver and gold jewellery.

A busy shopping street at the bazaar, Khan el Khalil or just Khan

A variety of shops at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

A busy shopping street at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Street Vendors at Khan el Khalil Bazaar

Street vendors at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Street vendors at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Goods overflowing a street at the bazaar

Goods overflowing a street is a common sight at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Goods overflowing a street that is a common sight at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Domestic and foreign visitors are spoilt for choice at the bazaar.

A wide variety of goods for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

A wide variety of goods for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Writer’s wife buying T-shirts at Khan el Khalil Bazaar

Writer;s wife buying T-shirts at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Writer’s wife buying T-shirts at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Photos below show some of the things for sale at the shops of the bazaar.

Jewellery for sale

Jewellery for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Jewellery for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Colourful clothes for sale

Colourful clothes for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Colourful clothes for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Souvenirs for sale

Souvenirs for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Souvenirs for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Paintings on papyrus papers for sale

Paintings on papyrus papers for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Paintings on papyrus papers for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Water-pipes for smoking “shisha” for sale

Water-pipes for smoking shisha(hookah) are for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

Water-pipes for smoking shisha(hookah) are for sale at Khan el Khalil Bazaar, Cairo

“Shisha” Smoking

An Egyptian showing the writer the way he smokes “shisha”. Like smoking cigarettes, it can cause health problems as it uses tobacco, too.

An Egyptian showing the writer the way he smokes shisha. Like smoking cigarettes, smoking shisha can cause health problems due to tobacco.

An Egyptian showing the writer the way he smokes shisha. Like smoking cigarettes, smoking “shisha” can cause health problems as it uses tobacco, too.

Departure from Cairo for Home

In the late afternoon, we left the bazaar for Cairo International Airport where we would fly home on an Emirates airplane at 7.05 in the evening.

Tour Group Flying Home on an Emirates Airplane

Tour group flying home by Emirates plane at Cairo, Egypt, at 7.05 p.m. 0n 23 Dec 2017

Tour group flying home by Emirates plane at Cairo, Egypt, at 7.05 p.m. 0n 23 Dec 2017

Tour Group flying home from Cairo to Singapore via Dubai

Tour group flying from Cairo to Singapore via Dubai from 23-24 Dec 2017

Tour group flying from Cairo to Singapore via Dubai from 23-24 Dec 2017

Egypt Trip to Remember

We have spent 11 days visiting ancient historical places, boat-cruising along River Nile, flying in a hot-air balloon, sailing in a submarine in Naama Bay, visiting the largest bazaar and other unforgettable activities in Egypt. We are glad that we have enjoyed every moment of the trip.

Map showing the places we visited in Egypt from 13-23 Dec 2017 

Touring places in Egypt from 13-23 Dec 2017

Touring places in Egypt from 13-23 Dec 2017

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Chan Brothers Travel Agency(Singapore) for the wonderful Egypt tour, Yong Zheng(tour manager) for taking good care of us and Khaled(Egypt tour guide) for imparting his invaluable knowledge about the historical places we visited. I must also thank all the tour members for being such good friends.

(The End of Egypt Travel)

Previous / Home

Egypt Travel Parts I to XII

Egypt Travel Part I :Salah el Din Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque, Tahrir Square and Egyptian Museum

Egypt Travel Part II :Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon

Egypt Travel Part III :Hot Air Balloons and Karnak Temple Complex

Egypt Travel Part IV :Papyrus Paper-Making, Luxor Temple and Esna Lock

Egypt Travel Part V :Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Galabia Party

Egypt Travel Part VI :Abu Simbel Temples and Nubian Village(Elephantine Island)

Egypt Travel Part VII :Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple

Egypt Travel Part VIII:Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel, Moon Beach(Ras Sudr), and St. Catherine

Egypt Travel Part IX :Mount Sinai, Catherine’s Monastery and Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt Travel Part X  :Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt Travel Part XI :Cairo Food, Saqqara Step Pyramid Complex and Memphis

Egypt Travel Part XII :Great Giza Pyramid Complex and Khan el Khalil Bazaar