The Step Pyramid of Djoser, located just 19 miles outside of Giza, is the oldest pyramid in Egypt. Though there are a couple of other competitors, it may also be the oldest known cut-stone building complex in the world. Today it is the centerpiece of the necropolis of Saqqara, a large cemetery that…
Tag: Egypt
Great Pyramid of Giza, also Known as Pyramid of Khufu
I’d long wanted to visit the Egyptian pyramids, but kept putting it off due to scheduling and concerns over safety in the region. Last fall, I finally made it. One of the biggest surprises for most travelers is the location of the pyramids. Photos show them surrounded by sand, as if they are…
PHOTO: Young Artist in the Village of El Kab, Egypt
When our traditional dahabiya stopped for a visit in the small village of El Kab, Egypt, children flocked to the dock to sell their handmade baskets. This little girl, however, was more interested in drawing on a nearby stone wall with a piece of charcoal. Extracting myself from the fray, I wandered over…
PHOTO: Kom Ombo Temple in Upper Egypt Was Dedicated to Two Gods
Kom Ombo Temple may be the most unique temple in Egypt, as it is the only one dedicated to two gods. Beyond the double entry are two separate but connected Hypostyle halls where reliefs of the gods have been carved into massive sandstone columns. The falcon-headed god Horus commands on the left side,…
Rebirth on the Nile: Sailing on a Traditional Dahabiya with Nour El Nil
A fat bumble bee lumbered across the stern of our boat. He circled a few times before realizing the yellow rope and orange life preserver weren’t flowers, then turned and headed back to the island where we were anchored. A black and white Kingfisher crossed his path, gliding impossibly close to the blue-green…
PHOTO: Children Sell Baskets Made of Candy Wrappers in El Kab, Egypt
Sailing the Nile River with Nour El Nil in a recreated traditional Dahabiya boat allowed us to put in at smaller sites that cannot be accessed by larger vessels. El Kab, a small village south of Luxor, Egypt, was one such site. In addition to visiting the ancient city of Nekheb, which is…
