Frank and Joan's news for 17 November 2007 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

Our adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....

Saturday and our second full day here in Cairo. We had organised with our guide from yesterday, to have another trip, but this time to Memphis, (not to see Elvis) and Sakara.

Sakara is where the first pyramids were built and it is believed that the architect of these was responsible for the pyramids we saw yesterday, built for kings of Egypt. Here we were first shown around a well laid out museum which developed the history in a very fine way. Even to developing some bits of timber by depicting a model funeral boat which was supposedly used to transport the mumified remains up river to the burial grounds which Sakara had become.

The pyramids at Sakara were different in that they were a stepped pyramid made of mud bricks. Apparantly under this one is a maze of chambers, but now considered unsafe to venture in to, because of the sheer weight of bricks above the foundations. The whole area around, were there are many tombs yet to be uncovered was quite vast, with originally a wall built around just like a modern day cemetery. As usual the place swarmed with touts and all trying to get money off unsuspecting tourists. Joan of course fell foul of a man with a softy donkey, where I had to pay for the pleasure of allowing his "ass" to be on the picture.

From Sakara we then went to Memphis, the old capital of Egypt many, many years ago. Here there is another museum, this time the Ramseis museum, which contains a statue of Ramseis, lying prostrate but still showing its immense size, despite being cut off at the knees.

From Memphis we went back in towards town, a journey of over one hour, to visit Old Cairo and the church where baby Jesus was supposed to have been brought to and hidden in the crypt.

Another interesting day out and completed by a fine fish dinner in a restaurant once again reccomended by one of our guides.