Egypt - Giza plateau and Sakkara

The biggest attraction of Egypt are the pyramids, that's for sure. Going way back in time, these timeless monuments still capture the imagination of everyone who visits.

Giza is not very far away from Cairo. By car it takes about half an hour (will depend on the traffic, though, it can be pretty busy on the road). You can buy a ticket to visit the pyramids. The cheapest one is just admittance to the terrain. A more expensive one will give you access to the inside of the pyramids.

Next to the three pyramids at Giza, there is also the Sun Boat museum. This was part of the burial ceremony of the ancient Egyptians. Although the outdoor view is very impressive, what Chris and I liked most was crawl (and I mean this literally) into Cheop's pyramid. Steep and narrow alleyways take you down into the inside of the pyramid, until you reach the burial chamber with the sarcophage.

Of course you can't miss the Sfinx as well, as he sits majectically before the pyramid of Cheops. The head of the lion is a resemblance of the pharaoh.

After our visit to the Giza plateau, we also rode to Sakkara (not very far as well) to see the step pyramid of Djoser.

There we could also enter the inside of the pyramid, where you can view well-kept wall paintings.

Egypt - Cairo

Here in Belgium, most tourists who travel to Egypt go to the seaside resorts on the Red Sea - soaking up the sun poolside. Not for us (I don't mind a bit of sunbathing, but can't do it all day), so we decided to head to Cairo.

Based in a great hotel (Conrad Cairo) we managed to fill our days with interesting excursions. On our first day, after having arrived the previous evening, we met our guide Youssef in the hotel lobby. That guy (he works for Tours by Locals) is really a jewel. Sympathetic, kind, willing to please you all the way. He was going to show us Old Cairo that day. The first item on the agenda was the visit to the Egyptian Museum. Now you must know that the Egyptian government is building a new museum near the pyramids, and it will open soon. Henceforth, a lot of artefacts have already been moved to their new spot. But the museum contains so much antiquities that is is still worth a visit.

We took our time walking around and seeing as much as possible. After this visit Youssef took us to the Saladin citadel and mosque. It is possible to enter the mosque, even when you are not muslim. We put on shawls (although it is not obliged) as a token of respect. We always carry light shawls in our handbag, because you frrequently need them (for instance, when entering churches in Italy). Beautiful architecture!

Later on, we also went to the Hanging Church (it actually balances on the remains of the old wall around Cairo) where the Holy Family found refuge after their flight to Egypt. This is a Coptic monument. And we also visited a synagogue. You see, many religions present here in this town.

To finalise our day, we walked along the old city walls, where lots of vendors and stalls are present and made it quite busy. We never felt threatened or unsafe, though. The Egyptians are not so much hooked on robbing you, but only ask for a tip when they do something for you.

What is terrible, is the traffic in town! I don't know how it is possible, but the cars just go where they like, it seems. And wonder above all, we didn't see any road accident on all our rides through it. Must be organised chaos.

Planning 2020 finalised, already thinking of 2021

By now, our planning for the upcoming trips this year is complete. We always like to plan well ahead, with the option of being able to cancel without loss of money. Costs a bit more, but is worth the extra!

We'll start by a weekend away in our own country, Belgium. We are going to stay in Antwerp, the town where our grandma was born. We like it there a lot and know all the good places.

Next comes a longer trip to South Africa. We'll be based in Cape Town and from there we are going to explore the cape and the winelands. No need for a safari, as we have already done that years ago in Kenya.

This will be followed by two city trips, one to Barcelona in Spain and the other once more to Antwerp.

In summer we'll spend some time in Italy (Milan) and the UK (London). Then in autumn it's going to Birmingham and finally to Qatar (Doha).

For next year we don't have any finalised plans as yet, but there is a high possibility we'll be going to Morocco and also to Cuba. The rest will be filled in as the year goes...