Egypt travel notes at the beginning of 2007 and the latest Raiders (1)

Introduction

A few years ago, a chance to see the Beijing TV station of a travel programme "spacious good mood – Egypt album, which I deeply feel the Egypt-the Nile's son, is five thousand years ancient cradle of civilization, is the great melting pot of civilizations from ancient; in this mysterious land of the Pharaohs, ancient Greece and ancient Rome, the Christian era and the rise and fall of Islamic era, the change of every inch of the land are engraved with the legend, a treasure, also left thousands of fans; here, the vitality of artistic outburst, scientific development and prosperity, sacred religious faith of blessing the world, but also for the first time had a strong desire to go to Egypt.

I was Egypt's long history and ancient mystical culture, has hope that one day I could visit Egypt, experience the 5000 year old land of civilization born, witnessed the world-famous world miracle – pyramid. Then, while doing various aspects of the preparation and effort, the visa issue has always troubled me, since Egypt is not Chinese individuals with a tourist visa, therefore, to Egypt to travel this can only be a dream. Until the mill network forums to get acquainted with a number of interested friends in Egypt travel, through their free "Egypt coffee Adnan" friend, and he won the Egypt tourist visa that I wish to achieve. Finally, in 2007, 26 January to 20 February in Egypt has completed a memorable backpacking life, I would like to take this 25 days travel experience and relevant experience to offer to everybody, hope to those who intend to travel to Egypt travel friends help.

Related travaux

Egypt tourist visa from Egypt coffee Adnan, and may by Dafu (Travelco) Shanghai representative office, visa is valid for 3 months, you can stay in Egypt for one month, the total cost of $ 650.

Dafu in Egypt is a large travel company and later in Egypt's many tourist attractions are seeing the LOGO of labeled Travelco limousine. Dafu may also have offices in Beijing, but Beijing Embassy Egypt Embassy all issued tourist visas valid for only one month, and travel to the completed within one month, the actual length of stay in Egypt is very limited. So finally had to visa in Shanghai. Tickets are much ado about something as went to Egypt during the Spring Festival is the peak of tourism, airlines direct flight tickets early for travel agents to set up, so have to transit through the Doha Qatar Airways and Emirates airline Dubai transit choice between. C the aircraft's journey a bit around, tickets to over 7 000, by contrast, a relative bargain discount card route, more than you can win. But as is at the peak of the Spring Festival tourism, you want to buy cheap air ticket required for card on travel time to filter, so I had to order cheap airline tickets and chose in the beginning of the second be back trip, departure flight to QR899 (Beijing to Doha) and QR514 (Doha to Cairo); return flights for QR515 (Cairo to Doha) and QR898 (Doha to Beijing).

Travel to Egypt travel another important preparatory work is for the international student card (ISIC), from the Internet and various strategies on the international student ID card to travel in Egypt.

ISIC organizations have offices in Shanghai, as long as it is available for full-time students. First, on its Web site (http: go2study.net) download a form to fill out to attach a copy of student ID card and passport, I have been looking for a student, a graduate certificate in reading, scanning through PS clip and modified, a copy of your student card in a real I came out. The above information will be sent to the Office, and send 80 Yuan, three days after the receipt of good international student ID card. Egypt travel reference books I use tourism press published around the world-Egypt ", because the Lonely Planet – Egypt," a book in the bookstore had to domestic 249 element a, too expensive. While the traveled the world-Egypt "and a version of 20001 years, although obviously old enough, but a lot of information is still useful. Use the travel all over the world – Egypt, also has one advantage is that the book has many Arabic and Chinese names common annotations, facts prove that travel can be useful in the way. But mainly in English LP all but ignored the Egypt people speak Arabic this reality. In addition, from individual sites to download a lot of so-called Raiders, but content often has no longer been, some content is also suitable for men.

26 January: departure

Exciting start moment has finally arrived in evening, howling wind, carrying a backpack in my building in anzhen got on the front of the ticket for the bus, old jam of Beijing traffic at this time also the coming of the night and unblocked.

Soon arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport, the customs procedure is very simple, in Doha Airport boarding pass at the airport to the Office. Boarding card Airlines brand new Airbus 330, the entire cabin presented a film makes people feel more serene sauce red, this could be the card flights base tint. Aircraft at 23: 55 min take off on time, card terminal services is clearly better than domestic airlines, and this journey provides two Islamic standards for dinner, but also assists with red wine, dry white wine and beer, very good. Enjoy the delicious food, sipping mellow wines, and want to face the coming exciting Egypt travel, dream of oil however litres.

27 January-29 March: first arrived in Cairo

After eight and a half hour flight, the aircraft when the time is at 3: 30 to Qatar's capital Doha, Doha and Beijing have 5 hour time difference.

The transfer procedure is very simple and to the airport after a security check directly to the Terminal, Doha Airport is very small, no place to go, you can only sit in a chair through boring for eight hours. 12: 10 again boarded card flights, this one will go directly to Cairo.

On an airplane has a Egypt immigration officers to each passenger for the immigration procedures, this is a great convenience to travellers.

After three and a half hour flight,Local time 15: 40 Cairo, Cairo and Beijing have 6 hour time difference. Because the aircraft completed entry procedures after the plane has no fees of any trouble, directly out of the airport. Cairo airport and 80 's China airport, very small, only one layer. One out of the airport immediately come up with a taxi driver, to downtown business, offer both 40 Emmanuel lbs (L.E). I already have a first-come, first-entry hall looking window for one hundred dollars of El pounds, the exchange rate is 1: 5.6925. In Egypt this currency is stable, then in Cairo and Luxor, other banks have always been the exchange rate; thus, in order to facilitate, in the airport more change some Egyptian pound is no problem, no loss. Then turn left to the departure hall Terminal Office found card will return flight confirmation. This action is very important, from Egypt to return ticket is only valid after confirmation, otherwise the seats will be cancelled, and when you must leave a confirmed ticket in Cairo's contact phone number, you can find yourself on the Internet in advance to stay in a hotel of the phone. In addition to his face confirmation can be a written confirmation, insurance, in case of phone confirmation tone to not communicate in English, which led to the ticket has not been confirmed, the problem may be larger.

Out of the airport began looking for bus to the city.

Long road to 356 to backpackers Hotel focus of liberation (Tahrir) Plaza, but the Raiders find couldn't find the bus parking lot, only Uncle to a policeman and a box of essential balm（20G）, this enthusiastic Uncle told me that we are located in Terminal 2 there is no bus, bus to take 356 must go to Terminal 1 and stopped a minibus, commands the driver drive us to the Terminal of bus parking lot 1. Car parking away from Terminal 2 was not near the small 10 minutes to the driver to get off the tips, threw his 2 L.E. also enough, I have no more long-winded and he turned away. This car park has many bus, messy, and road grade are subject in Arabic (can not be our common Arabic numbers, it's just the number of characters in India original). Ask several road Sweeper talent found 356, fares and Tickets L.E. 2. From the airport to the city all the way to be imparted in Cairo the traffic jam, certainly not inferior to Beijing road congestion, with over an hour to reach the terminals liberation square. Car at Rameses Hilton Hotel, oblique plug too before crossing the street parking in the square in the face without conflicting traffic, Egypt roads really need to point the courage; then put through Mahmuud Baysuumi Street to Tala ' at Harb square, is easily found the net friend recommended Lialy Hostel (front desk phone: 02-575-2902), the hotel's location is good, there is a double room, the boss man nice to 60 L.E. gave us a pack of four rooms, bathroom, breakfast, public house is old but very spacious facilities, is a little old. Although the days of the cooler, but at night it is rampant when the mosquitoes, hands on several large packages.

Just arrived in unfamiliar places and the time difference, the one mind some hair did, just a bit to find where is Uncle Egypt Egypt-restaurant, the old man listening to we are Chinese, was immediately given a warm handshake of Egypt, said that the ability of the Cairo museum staff, how to love the Chinese culture, and personally led us to a restaurant, I didn't see even a menu also, the old uncle had to point out, as a result, to come up with a heap of Egypt-salads, various sauces and some bread, and then give us each a dark roast chicken.

Other auxiliary dishes you can also roast chicken, but the main dish is really hard to swallow. Ate the meal, a checkout, found this rotten things went so far as to 60 L.E., this is my first in Egypt, most failed. Since then I never dare to believe in Egypt who, to the restaurant are personally asked price, dishes.

Out from the restaurant, all the way to find, and walk to Rameses central train station to get the third night train to Aswan.

This also makes some unpleasant things. Just when I go to Rameses Plaza, could not find the station, sees a group of police stations in the streets, for trust police to their inquiries, the result is a road that went in so far but do not see the station; and then to another encounter with the police inquiries, or the wrong way; when I log on to the third policeman, the policeman to one in the wrong direction, with a sense of Egypt pointed out that the youth has come forward in the right direction. Originally this three times for directions to the police, they all point to the wrong direction. It gives me the confidence to Egypt, where the police in the back of the journey, I never asked to the police.

Finally found the Rameses central train station, found it very confusing, the ticket window at different places, about half a day, passing through several to the platform, in 12 platform Office to find to Luxor and Aswan train ticket window.

Egypt when the ticket is like Chinese, never stand in, squeeze into a heap, the ticket sales personnel is slow, the dead man, finally get to the previous question to know, a weeks to Aswan all train, second seats all sold out. Although early Raiders, this is normal, because the tour peak season, the tickets early so that travel agency to set up, direct bus ticket on line, locate the seat without problems. However, due to long hours of air travel with Jet lag, physical fatigue to the extreme, not afraid to take risks, directly at the station Booking Office of tourism spend 60 dollars for third day Aswan Berthon, this time really corruption.

Back to the hotel, the first attempt at the Cairo Metro, Cairo subway implementation 1 a vote, L.E., although like Cairo as old as the building, but very convenient, Rameses central train station in the Metro station, and Liberation Mubarak square in Sadat station, between the only two stations away.

In Cairo, the first night of sleep really sweet, and even at night and mosquito bites for several large packs and ignorant ...

Would the next day to catch early to Giza, but Li

Aly Hostel offers breakfast until 8: 00 pm only, while the hotel everything is good, but this is my most dissatisfied, then back to Cairo after I decided to change the hotel. Got up early but I stayed up a late set, dry until around before they eat breakfast, Egypt hotel provides breakfast routine, bread with butter, cheese, eggs and equipped with a glass of sand (Egypt-black tea). From liberation square, Cairo Museum, former street, take the road to 367, air-conditioned buses can reach Khufu's side of the gate. 367 road no stop sign. Call stop, fares, because the traffic jam 2 L.E., to urban open over an hour to reach.

Off the car, Grand Khufu already stands at present, once have seen world miracles so real story here.

Get off at the Office along the main road from uphill walk of about 10 minutes to low to the gate. All have a wide range of Egypt were technically "here is far away from the gate, and advised me to take a taxi or a camel, because already know to the next station and is near the entrance of Khufu, that wouldn't budge. Pyramid entrance really crude, the ticket office is also a small soil room, but to also with the surrounding environment is coordination. Now Giza tickets up to 50 L.E., student ticket 25 L.E. (very affectionate attraction tickets is not necessarily the half-fare), the portal has strict security. Entrance and is near the Khufu, few minutes walk to the foot, once many times seen standing on the endless desert of pyramid photos, now in person at its feet, the feel very strange. Close watched Khufu, Boulder, open your hands just to hold a rock, evoking 4500 years ago how countless block such huge barrier into the world-famous buildings, really amazing. Khufu behind solar boat Museum, tickets for the student ticket 20 L.E.. Inside major collections in a pyramid of the Sun boat unearthed near, it is said that it is contained in the Pharaoh's soul traveling universe hufu. Solar boat huge, but making a very delicate, and can't imagine this is 4500 former masterpiece. From Khufu walk for about 20 minutes to the Hough, pyramid, distinguish hufu and Hough la pyramid is easy, because half the surface at the top of the pyramid, was not completely off, there is a small hat. Therefore Hough la pyramid looks than Khufu higher. The pyramid at El Abra is opposite is Hough's Sphinx Division finks, despite his beard and nose have disappeared, but the body after the repair has been pretty much Division finks there is also a sacrifice in front of the building, which has produced Pharaoh and empresses and mummies, where you can find, in the Kingdom of the production technology in the mummy is falling behind. From these two pyramids is distant from the door, Kara pyramid is much smaller, as the JISA three pyramids distance, while at the same time in a photo shoot three pyramids is also really difficult, must be wrapped to door Carla pyramid to shoot, but behind the door Carla pyramid was nearly as hufu and Hough, as magnificent tall pyramid, which seriously distorts the facts. Currently hufu and Hough la available visit the pyramids are, but the other ticket. I understand that too much Giza hosted by a mysterious and mysteries, and especially its unique pyramid geometric shapes and the universe exist between heavenly bodies by the inclusion of secret, do not dare to enter the pyramid to avoid unexpected calamities. I remember seeing an article scientific reports, according to statistics enter the pyramid of about 50% within 20 years, died of cancer, the likely cause is the Giza internal focus may be cosmic radiation, so I abandoned the intention of entering the pyramid.

In Giza area also encountered some unpleasant things, first of all, there are a lot of distraction camel Egypt people frequent harassment, so be it.

In addition, in front of Khufu worship Temple ruins, a self-proclaimed pyramids resort staff of old Egypt people first came to check tickets and student card, and has since said that since the designated as a tour guide, leads I have seen this look at that and come up with a beetle pendant gave me as a present, I understand it a bit, you may then be money from, and immediately decided to leave him. Sure enough, this old guy I see I have to go, have to give the tour fee, of course, this old guy explosed refused to start clinging resort gave him a soon to see ink pen, zhiyuan juice not oil, back to my gifts away. After a bit older people who came to Egypt enquiries, for once I learn clever, look at his credentials, so he took out a piece of writing Arabic documents in my Greyhound, results showed him after the tickets, he must draw from that since when the tour, this time I categorically refused. Travel in later learned that soon to show me the documents turned out to be the identity cards, Egypt is a big liar!

Secretary from pyramid Sphinx side door, wanted to go according to the articles in the world-Egypt "in the recommended route bus to Segala (Saqqara) and up to Dahshur (Dahshur), but the discovery process is too complex, too time-consuming, and export and very messy, soliciting, marketing people round turn bombing, so be it, ask also futile, and so on and so many taxi drivers after repeated bargaining to 100 L.E. package by Segala, Memphis, Clodagh Shure and returned to Cairo.

Segala from Giza is about 20 km, 20 minutes by car to reach, with student ID to the tickets for 20 L.E., take taxi extra 2 L.E., Segala's main attractions is the step pyramid, as ancient kingdoms period of Chao King tombs, save Serge is better, because of the shape is very rare, still stands in the vast desert, a very strong impact and shocking. Stepped pyramid constructed in ancient Egypt pyramid history of epoch-making significance, it is through the ancient Egypt Pyramids ladder who mastered the pyramid construction techniques. Stepped pyramid there are other sacrificial hall ruins, enter step pyramids resort to these sacrificial Temple ruins through, many places of mummification, makes people feel gloomy as horrible. From Segala out car along a river running throughA small village, that is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of previously in Memphis, but from the immediate landscape is very difficult to convince people that it was a brilliant's ancient capital. I did not stay in Memphis, since as early as the Internet was informed that at the moment of Memphis only a small museum, in addition a incomplete Rameses giant statues, has had nothing worth watching. $ Dahshur from Segala is about half an hour by car, visit the Red Pyramid, as hufu father Chesney averous mausoleum. Scenic student card tickets 15 L.E.. Red Pyramid scale or full high, but the color and other pyramids like the blinking yellow granite, also see red, Red Pyramid internal free admission, but in view of the same reasons, I do not have to enter the Red pyramid. While bent pyramid from the Red Pyramid, in a military zone, now only much watched.

Back from the pyramid was already evening, experiencing a serious traffic jams, finally returned to Cairo.

In liberation square edges of KFC big had a fried chicken, which is found in Egypt to buy foreign fast food also pay 10% of the tax, the same thing to the price than my Chinese GUI.

Night in Cairo, crowded and busy level is not less than Beijing, with its entire liberation square Front Street eg noise and vanity.

After a day's time, on the North Africa in Cairo's famous historic city also has an initial impression and Cairo, much like the early 1980s, and buildings in urban China are very old, dirty, full of the street, the street race car most dilapidated, occasional new cars are Japanese and Korean car; motor vehicles Department do not obey the traffic rules, traffic light is simply a display. From the streets of wearing, seems to be cheap clothing from China. Although the economy is still in development stages, but people's lives or very easy, no-style of impetuous, feel or ordered chaos. To avoid the noisy crowd, I came to the near edge of the Nile, look at this article inoculated ancient Egypt civilization's mother River quietly from the immediate flow over to the rear is a thorough understanding of 5000 years Egypt civilization is full of infinite expectation ...

The archaeological museum in Cairo is Cairo's most popular attractions, this building built by France people red building in liberation square is very eye-catching.

The Museum exhibits a world-famous archaeological discoveries in Egypt, people learn about Egypt 5000 years civilization's best, every day, overcrowded. My third day in Cairo main itineraries visit Cairo Museum, although purposely got up early, but arrived at the front of the Museum, has been abuzz. Museum, 8: 30 start ticket sales, ticket price 25 L.E. student card, and 9: 00 began to put people into the Museum. Museum security very strictly, this would be lucky to find out on the spot of the camera, a last resort to the door to the depositary, and now it seems the Cairo museum on camera look very strict.

Enter the Museum found a large number of tours as early as the first floor Hall was full.

So already prepared a bustle of I ran to the second floor is on the door of sakaltutan scammon tombs products showroom, because here I would expect a glimpse of sakaltutan scammon mummies gold mask. At this point only me a showroom, so to be able to stand on the gold mask carefully studied before. The Golden mask is a world famous treasure, to face up to the eye by Amethyst do black-, white ivory whites of the eyes, is so intense, like young sakaltutan scammon suddenly raised, it was a strange feeling. The showroom is the essence of the Cairo Museum, all exhibits are from sakaltutan scammon's Tomb, in addition to the more famous Golden mask, attire for the disposal of sakaltutan card Mummy who shaped the coffin and the coffin in the Middle, which is also made of glittering gold. There are a large number of sakaltutan card Mummy ornament are fine, there are two sakaltutan scammon equipped with dagger, actually not a rust, shining, as if made of stainless steel; it's hard to believe 3400 years ago in ancient Egypt was so advanced metal casting process. Alone in the sakaltutan scammon tombs products showroom remain to 20 minutes, visitors began to enter the room become crowded. So, I returned to a layer, started in order to visit the archaeological museum, Cairo on the first floor of the exhibits are displayed in chronological order to ancient Egypt, the exhibition of stone statues in the period, Greece and Rome period artifacts represented only a small part. To learn more about the ins and outs of these cultural objects to, prior to do homework. However, at the entrance with a domestic tours, rub some of the main hearing the story of heritage, learn about some important Egypt heritage knowledge. For example, from the Pharaoh portrait or statue of beard and gait to tell it like it is before or after death, the works that is had straight mustache, and turn at the end of the works of the beard is the death of his left foot in front of; Pharaoh was like before, but it is right in front after death. After that, I'm on a second floor exhibits carefully see again. The second floor of too many cultural relics, stacked together simply to behold, can only be roughly of speech, a ring when you walked down for nearly 3 hours. Royal mummies galleries on the second floor near the door side, a student card tickets for 50 L.E., but grew up on the dead have fear, I didn't dare to go in and visit.

Out from the Cairo museum is 2 pm, decided to go to aizi HAL (Azhar) mosque, Cairo, due to lack of familiarity with rental market, chose to take the subway to Ataba station (Attaba), and then from aizi Har Street walking past.

Here depicts life of Cairo, and the size of the mosque from everywhere or can experience unique Islamic style. Small business shop on both sides of the street, there was a stall of a commodity from the seller, as are all Chinese production of low-end appliances and clothes (it is said that Egypt has 70% of the daily are imported from China); especially many snack bar, the price is very cheap, quite has the Egypt features freshly squeezed Sugarcane juice 50 PST. a Cup, the excellent drinks. From Ataba walk about 30 minutes away from the mosque aizi HAL far away you can see the number of root tips of the mosque. Aizi Har mosque, which can be visited free of chargeIt is also mainly visit the prayer hall, very spacious, because Islam is not idolatry, so just take a look at the building characteristics. This mosque was built in the tenth century, see scale is a product of 18th-century extension. From aizi Har mosque out a footbridge will come to see the Hussein mosque, the Shia Mosque is a product of the 19th century, from the size of their prayer hall to see than aizi Har mosque less. Close to Hussein Mosque is the famous Hahn Khalili market, buy, are mainly Egypt handicrafts, but work is too rough, I just look at it. In Jaen Khalili market most headaches are small traders of harassment too serious, go all the way to being bothered nationality.

That night, I took the 20: 30 by train to Aswan.

First time riding the train Egypt, its pretty good sleeper carriages for two, one-room, beds, there is a small wash device, very comfortable, but the $ 60 a sleeper ticket price is not cheap. Train at night, and I shake the carriages for the upcoming new journey.