BigM722

Our group of four pre-made our own arrangements to see the wonders of Cairo, Giza and Saqqara with Memphis Tours (recommended by our travel agent) and saw more in two days then I did in three days 30 years ago! On day one we were picked up at the port in Alexandria on time by an amazing driver, Mohamed (Cairo traffic/drivers are the worst in the world and I spent much of the time with my eyes closed. I think Modhamed could rival any Indie 500 driver) and our wonderful tour leader, Hussen, then whisked away to Cairo in a wonderfully air conditioned van. After checking into our hotel, we met our darling guide/historian, Sherwet, and went to the Museum of Antiquities. My favorite museum in the world and, although my third visit there, I could spend weeks in it. The only Pharoah's mummy on display 30 years ago was Seti I and it was a privilege to be able to visit the new Mummy Room. Sherwet let us all have 30 minutes on our own (my husband is a builder and went straight to the tools section) before we were taken to a local restaurant for dinner and back to our hotel to freshen up. They picked us up later and took us to the Sound & Light Show at the pyramids. The show hasn't changed much, but I still loved seeing it again. I get chills when the lights come on and that deep voice says "Since the beginning of time..." Day two began with check-out and a visit to the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids, Sphinx and the Solar Barge. I hadn't seen the Solar Barge and the building/display was amazing. Then we were driven to Saqqara, where we saw the step and bent pyramids and several mastabas. Only one mastaba was open on my first visit and I was amazed at how much work had been done in Saqqara since then. I think the carvings are more beautifully done here than in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor. Don't miss Saqqara if you have the time. After a wonderful Stella/Star beer (in cans now and not the tall green bottles of years ago) at a local spot, Mohamed and Hussen drove us to Port Said where we boarded our cruise ship. I highly recommend using Memphis Tours when going to Egypt. They are so professional and we got to see so much more than with a group tour!