Egypt Travel Part XI: Cairo Food, Saqqara and Memphis

April 1, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
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Egypt Travel Part XI: Cairo Food, Saqqara and Memphis

Day 10   Friday, 22 December 2017

Flight back to Cairo

In the morning of 22 Dec 2017, we flew back to Cairo from Sharm el Sheikh in southern Sinai Peninsula.

Map showing the air-flight route from Sharm el Sheikh to Cairo

Map showing tour group's flight from Sharm el Sheik to Cairo on 22 Dec 2017

Map showing tour group’s flight from Sharm el Sheik to Cairo on 22 Dec 2017

Departure from Sharm el Sheikh, Sinai Peninsula

Tour group leaving Sharm el Sheikh International Airport for Cairo in the north-west of Egypt on 22 Dec 2017.

Tour group leaving Sharm el Sheikh Airport in south Sinai Peninsula for Cairo in the north-west in Egypt

Tour group leaving Sharm el Sheikh Airport in south Sinai Peninsula for Cairo in the north-west in Egypt on 22 Dec 2017

Arrival at Cairo

More than an hour later, tour group arrived and landed at Cairo International Airport at 9.40 a.m. and noticed that it was shrouded in haze. The haze was caused by fine particles blown from the Sahara Desert in the west and smoke from vehicles in the city and open burning in its outskirt.

Tour group arrived at Cairo Airport from Sharm el Sheikh at 9.40 a.m. on 22 Dec 2017 and the airport was shrouded in haze.

Tour group arrived at Cairo Airport from Sharm el Sheikh at 9.40 a.m. on 22 Dec 2017 and the airport was shrouded in haze.

Lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tour group boarded a coach at the Cairo airport and went to a place, Alezba Village Restaurant, in the city for a buffet lunch.

Tour group arriving at 9.40 a.m. at Cairo International Airport from Sharm el Sheikm, Sinai Peninsula

Tour group arriving at 9.40 a.m. at Cairo International Airport from Sharm el Sheikm, Sinai Peninsula

Tour group entering Alzeba Village Restaurant for lunch.

Tour group entering Alezba Village Restaurant in Cairo to have Egyptian lunch

Tour group entering Alezba Village Restaurant in Cairo to have Egyptian buffet lunch

A garden at Alzeba Village Restaurant, Cairo

A garden path at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

A garden path at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

A worker making freshly baked bread in a traditional oven

A worker making freshly baked bread in a traditional oven for guests' lunch

A worker making freshly baked bread in a traditional oven for guests’ lunch

Eating place at Alzeba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Eating place at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Eating place at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tour group helping themselves to many kinds of dishes at the restaurant

Tour members helping themselves to many kinds of dishes at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tour members helping themselves to many kinds of dishes at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tour members queuing up for food

Tour members queuing up for buffet lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tour members queuing up for buffet lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tour members going for more food?

Tour members going for more food?

Tour members going for more food?

This is writer’s lunch at Alzeba Village Restaurant, Cairo.

This is writer's buffet lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

This is writer’s buffet lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Grilled chicken meat, anyone?

Grilled chicken meat at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo, anyone?

Grilled chicken meat at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo, anyone?

Lim family members, including writer, having lunch at the restaurant

Lim family enjoying Egyptian buffet lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Lim family enjoying Egyptian buffet lunch at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Teo and wife, and Neoh and wife having lunch at the restaurant

Teo and wife, and Neoh and wife at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Teo and wife, and Neoh and wife at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tay and family having lunch at the restaurant

Tay and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tay and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Samuel Koh and family having lunch at the restaurant

Samuel Koh and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Samuel Koh and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tan and family having lunch at the restaurant

Tan and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Tan and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Peter Lim and family having lunch at the restaurant

Peter Lim and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Peter Lim and family at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Liew and family having lunch at the restaurant

Liew and family at Alezba Village Restaurant. Cairo

Liew and family at Alezba Village Restaurant. Cairo

Evi Cuaca and mother having lunch at the restaurant

Evi and mother at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Evi and mother at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Gan and Chew having lunch at the restaurant

Gan(L) and Chew(R) at A;lezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Gan(L) and Chew(R) at Alezba Village Restaurant, Cairo

Visiting two historical places in the south of Cairo

After the delicious, sumptuous meal at Alezba Village Restaurant in Cairo, the tour group travelled several km south of Cairo to visit two historical places, Saqqara and Memphis.

Map showing the location of Saqqara and Memphis

Map showing three historical sites: Memphis, Saqqara and Giza

Map showing three historical sites: Memphis, Saqqara and Giza

Ticket to see the Step Pyramid Comples in Saqqara

Ticket to visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser Complex at Saqqara, Egypt

Ticket to visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser Complex at Saqqara, Egypt

Step Pyramid of King Djoser

Tour group entered the Step Pyramid Complex and saw the Pyramid of King Djoser built in 2700 B.C. by Imhotep, a famous ancient Egyptian architect. It was meant as a tomb for King Djoser who ruled ancient Egypt from 2667-2648 B.C..

The pyramid consists of six square mastabas, one on top of each other and the top one is smaller than the bottom one. The height of the pyramid is about 62 metres.

Step Pyramid of King Djoser was designed and built in 2700 B.C. by imhotep as a tomb for the king.

Step Pyramid of King Djoser was designed and built in 2700 B.C. by imhotep as a tomb for the king.

Writer and wife at the Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Writer and wife at Step Pyramid, Saqqara, Egypt

Writer and wife at Step Pyramid, Saqqara, Egypt

Court of Columns, an entrance to Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Court of Columns for entry to Step Pyramid, Saqqara, Egypt

Court of Columns, an entrance to Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Funerary Temple near Step Pyramid of King Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt

Funerary Temple near Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt

Funerary Temple near Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt

A smaller ruined tomb at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Smaller ruined tomb at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Smaller ruined tomb at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Remains of a ruined temple at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Remains of a ruined temple at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Remains of a ruined temple at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Remains of a ruined house at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Remains of a ruined house at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Remains of a ruined house at Step Pyramid Complex, Saqqara, Egypt

Visiting Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt

Having seen enough of Step Pyramid Complex in Saqqara, we went to another place nearby. It was the oldest capital of Egypt known as Memphis. It was established by the first pharaoh, Menes, on the west bank of River Nile. The king founded the First Dynasty more than 5000 years ago.

Decline of Memphis

When the Romans arrived in Egypt, Memphis lost its importance to Alexandria in the north which was nearer to the Roman Empire. Its ruins are located near a town, Mit Rahina, 20 km south of Cairo.

Ticket to enter Mit Rahina Museum, Mit Rahina, Egypt

Ticket to visit Mit Rahina Museum to learn about the history of the oldest capital of Egypt, Memphis

Ticket to visit Mit Rahina Museum to learn about the history of the oldest capital of Egypt, Memphis

Mit Rahina Museum

Mit Rahina houses a large statue of King Ramesses II(1303-1213) and many artifacts of the ancient temples of Memphis.

Mit Rahina Museum that houses a huge statue of Ramesses II

Mit Rahina Museum that houses a huge statue of Ramesses II

A huge statue of King Ramesses II in the museum

Huge statue of Ramesses II is displayed in Mit Rahina Museum,

Huge statue of Ramesses II(1303-1213) is displayed in Mit Rahina Museum,

The statue of King Ramesses II was found face down in a marshy ground in Mit Rahina in 1821

Picture shows the huge statue of Ramesses II was found in a marshy ground in 1821.

Picture shows the huge statue of Ramesses II was found in a marshy ground in 1821.

Ancient Temples and tombs around Mit Rahina Museum

There are several ancient temples sited around Mit Rahina Museum such as Ptah Temple, Ramesses II Temple, Hathor Temple and Tombs of High Priests, too.

Pictorial map showing historical sites around Mit Rahina Museum

Pictorial map showing ancient temples and tombs around Mit Rahina Museum

Open air museum outside Mit Rahina Museum

Open air museum outside Mit Rahina Museum

Open air museum outside Mit Rahina Museum

Relics of ancient temples and chapels in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

Relics of ancient temples and chapels excavated nearby are displayed in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

Relics of ancient temples and chapels excavated nearby are displayed in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

Lim family members including writer posing in front of the second largest Sphinx in Egypt in the open air museum

Right to left: Writer, wife. sister-in-law and brother standing in front of Egypt's seond largest Sphinx in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

Right to left: Writer, wife. sister-in-law and brother standing in front of Egypt’s seond largest Sphinx in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

Writer and wife standing in front of a tall statue of Ramesses II in the open air museum

Writer and wife standing in front of a tall statue of Ramesses II in the open museum of Mit Rahina Museum

Writer and wife standing in front of a tall statue of Ramesses II in the open museum of Mit Rahina Museum

A friendly guard standing next to a headless statue of Ramesses II in the open air museum

A friendly guard standing, proudly, next to a headless statue of Ramesses II in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

A friendly guard standing, proudly, next to a headless statue of Ramesses II in the open air museum of Mit Rahina Museum

“Triad of Memphis” in the open air museum was a family of three gods: Great God Ptah(middle), his wife, Sekhmet(on his left), and King Ramesses II as his son, Nefertum(on his right).

"Triad of Memphis is a family of three gods: Great God Ptah(middle), his wife, Sekhmet(on his left), and Ramesses II as his son, Nefertum(on his right), in the open air museum

“Triad of Memphis” was a family of three gods: Great God Ptah(middle), his wife, Sekhmet(on his left), and Ramesses II as his son, Nefertum(on his right), in the open air museum

Bust of Goddess Hathor with cow ears

Bust of Goddess Hathor with cow ears in the open air museum was a symbol of love, motherhood and music, and provider of food, milk and produce.

Bust of Goddess Hathor in the open air museum She with cow ears was symbolised as love, motherhood and music, and provider of food, milk and produce.

Bust of Goddess Hathor is in the open air museum. She with cow ears was symbolised as love, motherhood and music, and provider of food, milk and produce.

Mummification Bed

Mummification bed on which dead bodies were washed clean, and their organs removed before being wrapped in linen a few time. Then they were kept in sarcophaguses(coffins).

Mummification bed for dead bodies which were washed clean, their organs removed and wrapped in linen a few times Then they were kept in scophaguses

Mummification bed on which dead bodies were washed clean, and their organs removed before being wrapped in linen a few times. Then they were kept in sarcophaguses(coffins).

Diagram showing steps for ancient Egyptian mummification

Method of ancient Egyptian mummification

Method of ancient Egyptian mummification

Egyptian tour-guide, Khaled, telling the tour group about the history of Memphis outside the Mit Rahina Museum

Egyptian tour-guide, Khaled, telling the tour group about the history of Memphis outside the Mit Rahina Museum

Egyptian tour-guide, Khaled, telling the tour group about the history of Memphis outside the Mit Rahina Museum

Back to Cairo from Mit Rahina Museum

After an interesting visit to Mit Rahina Museum learning about the ancient history of Memphis, we headed back to Le Meridien Hotel in Cairo for dinner.

(Continue in Egypt Travel Part XII Final)

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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