We came back to Cairo during the wee hours. The city looked beautiful. Getting back to our hotel, we had to freshen up fast and get little bit of rest as we had to visit the Coptic area and the Cairo museum that day.
Cairo Museum:
Cairo Museum is huge and it takes more than just a day to cover it completely. The most interesting part is definitely the mummy room where you can see the Mummies of Hatshepshut, Ramesses II, Seti and some others. Well, the mummies gave me goosebumps. It was one of those never to forget experiences.
From Cairo museum we went to the Coptic area. The hanging church was really nice. We have also visited the Mosque of Amr. After that, we decided to take a look at the famous Khan el Khalili bazaar and we loved it so much that we decided go there back once more, before leaving Cairo.
Alexandria:
So, we've reached our last pitstop in Egypt- Alexandria. The name itself is magical, right? Oh yes! Alexander the great, the great Library of Alexandria, The mysterious catacomb- it definitely is magical.
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa:
Some places have some vibes that you can pick up easily. No, not horror movie vibe I'm talking about. It is something gloomy, sad and at the same time marvelous! This is a multilayered necropolis and it was discovered accidentally. 3 layers have been found, the other layers are submerged into water. It depicts a mixture of Roman, Greek and Egyptian culture and that is what makes this place one of the most interesting historic remnants in Egypt. It was also one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Pillar of Pompey:
When Christianity was first introduced in Egypt, Alexandria was its stronghold. It is also the largest of its type outside of Rome. It used to be an elaborated and huge temple complex dedicated to God Serapis. However, only one pillar remains now.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina- The library of Alexandria-
The modern 11-story library has been built near the historic Library of Alexandria that was burnt along with thousands of historic documents and books by Julius Caeser. The new library is a beautiful reincarnation of that. The library receives nearly 800,000 or more visitors every year. Sadly, it doesn't really come close to the ancient one but the architecture is unique and the glass covered library is set up where Cleaopatra first saw Julius Caeser. Located at the shore of the beautiful Mediterranean sea, it made us thrilled to even imagine how gorgeous the ancient library was.
Alexandria is beautiful. It is a beautiful fusion of ancient and modern world. Mediterranean sea beside the road, somehow makes you feel how much it has witnessed, the changes of time and people.
Our visit was almost over. On the last day of our trip, we decided to visit the Khan-el-Khalili market once again. This time we tried the local food, the very popular Hawawshi bread (meat stuffed bread) and delicious they were. Khan el khalili has a very old worldly charm, as if the old Egypt is still alive inside those walls, on those brick lanes.
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa:
Some places have some vibes that you can pick up easily. No, not horror movie vibe I'm talking about. It is something gloomy, sad and at the same time marvelous! This is a multilayered necropolis and it was discovered accidentally. 3 layers have been found, the other layers are submerged into water. It depicts a mixture of Roman, Greek and Egyptian culture and that is what makes this place one of the most interesting historic remnants in Egypt. It was also one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Pillar of Pompey:
When Christianity was first introduced in Egypt, Alexandria was its stronghold. It is also the largest of its type outside of Rome. It used to be an elaborated and huge temple complex dedicated to God Serapis. However, only one pillar remains now.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina- The library of Alexandria-
The modern 11-story library has been built near the historic Library of Alexandria that was burnt along with thousands of historic documents and books by Julius Caeser. The new library is a beautiful reincarnation of that. The library receives nearly 800,000 or more visitors every year. Sadly, it doesn't really come close to the ancient one but the architecture is unique and the glass covered library is set up where Cleaopatra first saw Julius Caeser. Located at the shore of the beautiful Mediterranean sea, it made us thrilled to even imagine how gorgeous the ancient library was.
Alexandria is beautiful. It is a beautiful fusion of ancient and modern world. Mediterranean sea beside the road, somehow makes you feel how much it has witnessed, the changes of time and people.
Our visit was almost over. On the last day of our trip, we decided to visit the Khan-el-Khalili market once again. This time we tried the local food, the very popular Hawawshi bread (meat stuffed bread) and delicious they were. Khan el khalili has a very old worldly charm, as if the old Egypt is still alive inside those walls, on those brick lanes.
Egypt, a dream destination, ticked off from my bucket list but while writing down the experience, I just felt going back there again. That country really deserves more than one visit. There is so much left to explore in Egypt yet.
One day, may be........
Till then I will relive these moments again and again :)
One day, may be........
Till then I will relive these moments again and again :)
2 comments:
Very inspiring stuff about Egypt and I am tempted to explore the history. Very well compiled. Thanks !
Thanks a lot VJ Sharma for the kind words. :)
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