Program: Giza lateau, Abusir (optional) Sakkara and Memphis.
Today is the day that it really starts for me, because a visit to the Giza plateau with the well-known pyramids and the Sphinx from the 4th dynasty are on the program and then further to Memphis with stops in Abusir, where the pyramids of Sahoere, Nioeserre, Neferirkare (all 5th dynasty) and the mastaba of Ptahsephses are, than at Saqqara, where the the steppyramid of Djoser (3rd dynasty) and the pyramid of Teti 6th dynasty) are and that is very promising.....
At 0750 hours we arrived at the entrance of the Giza plateau and we had to wait until it opened at 8 o'clock. Because tourism has not really got under way after the revolution, was buying a ticket not an issue that took too long and so it happened that I was at 0815 hours the first man in the pyramid of Cheops and after a decent climb through the inputshaft and the large gallery, I arrived at the king's Chamber with sarcophagus were I was alone for about 5 minutes, truly an impressive experience.
And what a pity, within I make three photos, but afterwards they were all a bit moved, would that be the curse of the pharaoh?
The pyramid of Cheops.
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After this spectacle we took a stroll around the pyramids of Cheops and Chephren along the places where they have found the solarboats and also along the queenspyramids, really just admiring all views.
The pyramid of Chephren.
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Deadtemple of Chephren.
Valleytemple of Chephren.
Pyramid of Chephren.
Then we drove by car, the distances are in fact a bit bigger than you might think, to the 3rd pyramid of Mykerinos (Menkaure). By this pyramid we could also look inside, which unfortunately was not the case at the pyramid of Chephren because of restorations.
The pyramide of Mykerinos.
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Video impression of the pyramid of Mykerinos.
After this experience again making an big impression we got back in the car to drive to the survey platform, where you have a wonderful overview of all three pyramids.
Overview of the Giza plateau.
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Video impression of the Giza plateau.
Well then, there was still one thing to do on the plateau namely the Sphinx, this was also an experience to stand nearby this beautiful monument from which you normally only see pictures in books or on television.
All in all, was the visit to the Giza plateau more than worth it and definitely recommended.
The Sphinx.
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Video impression of the Sphinx.
Our next target of this day is Saqqara, however we decided to stop first at Abusir if it might accidentally be opened. And that was after some discussion between George, our driver and the 2 guards there the case, but then I had to pay something as it is not yet officially open to tourists. Well after giving a tip we could see the pyramids and mastaba present there. Unfortunately, only the mastaba was accessible for a look inside.
But walking along the causeway towards the pyramid of Sahoere (5th dynasty) and the remains of the funerary temple, with on the left side a view on the pyramids of Nioeserre and Neferirkare (both 5th Dynasty) it again is an impression on itself.
Video impression of the site at Abusir.
Pyramids at Abusir of Sahoere, Nioeserre en Neferirkare.
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Video of the temple of the dead of Sahoere.
Arriving at the pyramid of Sahoere we go diagonally left towards the mastaba of Ptahsepses, vizier under Nioeserre. Because the actual entrance is no longer avaiable, we first had to climb over a wall to subsequently see the remnants of it. After seeing the cultplace I could see the burialchamber with sarcophagus for which I had to descent through a narrow passage. Verily another rewarding experience.
The mastaba of Ptahsepses at Abusir.
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Video of the mastaba of Ptahsepses.
After Abusir we continued our way towards Saqqara.
We arrive there after an good half hour and first we take a look at the Imhotep museum, a small but interesting museum.
Then it was the turn of the steppyramid of Djoser (3rd dynasty), currently in the pipeline for a much needed renovation and unfortunately not accessable be viewed from within, but yes you cannot have everything.
The steppyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.
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Video impression of the Djoser site.
2 minutes away, understandable by car, is the pyramid of Teti (6th dynasty), followed by a number of mastabas.
First, I viewed the pyramid of Teti, both on the outside and inside, this too was a special experience.
The pyramid of Teti.
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Impression of the pyramid of Teti.
After the pyramid of Teti, I viewed 2 more mastabas from within, first the one of Kagemni, the vizier during the beginning of the reign of Teti and then the one of Anchmator, both were relatively well preserved and the decorations were still visible. The most beautiful decorated mastaba, the one of Mereroerka was unfortunately closed.
Mastaba of Ka-Gemni.
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Impression of the mastabas
After taking a moment to photographed the valleytemple of Oenas, we drive off towards the ultimate goal of today namely Memphis the ancient capital of both Above and Lower Egypt.
The valleytemple of Oenas.
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Video impression of Oenas.
A good 30 minutes later we arrived at Memphis, at least what is left of it and that is not really much considering the importance of this city before. I think that excavations here should be in order, because in my opinion there is much more to discover here.
Memphis, or whats left of it.
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Impression of Memphis.
Video of the huge statue of Ramsesses II at Memphis.
After an another exciting day it was time for a bite of food, in this case a pizza from the Pizza Hut, then back to the hotel for a shower and afterwards for a sociable drink with two visitors from Olette also belonging to the staff of Horus-travel, who came down for a short business meeting with her.
Meanwhile there were also reports from Luxor, according to which there was no gasoline available and only a bit diesel. I was told that Egypt itself produced 60% of the required oil and the other 40% was purchased from a neighboring country. The leader of this country was a friend of the deposed president. I leave it to the imagination of the reader to draw the right conclusions.
