Pyramids of Giza and Grand Egyptian Museum

Drive to Luxor Airport

Sunday November 9th, I packed up in Luxor to fly to Cairo, arriving after sunset. On the way to Luxor airport Moe stopped for Turkish coffee overlooking the Avenue of Sphinxes. When he dropped me at Luxor airport it was an Omega Man feeling – there were no other people or cars visible.

Drive from Cairo Airport

I was amazed how nice the ring freeway is from the airport to Giza, with endless bright billboards and modern buildings. Approaching the hotel, I got my first vision of the magnificent pyramids at night. Video of drive and seeing the pyramids:

Great Pyramids

In the morning, I went to the pyramids, mostly avoiding crowds, often alone.

I purchased an extra ticket to enter the Great Pyramid (Khufu). But halfway up the chamber with big people pushing past me coming down and the hot air I started feeling claustrophobic and thought I’d better get out. See the clip in the video at 00:36:

Fortunately, on my next chance at the small pyramid (Menkaure) I went to the center and had time alone there.

The three pyramids of Giza are the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. My favorite is Khafre, which retains the smooth surface at the top. I found a quiet place and laid down, just starting at it.

I didn’t see the Sphinx because walking around I was downwind of camels and focused on getting out of that – if you catch my drift. (Ok, next time.)

Girls Gone Wild

I understood the children might ask to either take a selfie with you or being a selfie and then ask for a dollar. Indeed, on the east side of my favorite pyramid a schoolgirl asked to take a selfie with me and then I did the same. She said “dollar” and fortunately I had a few and opened my backpack to get my wallet and give it to her. But it was like feeding a duck. A dozen other schoolgirls mobbed me, hands out asking for a dollar asking for selfies, knocked the phone out of my hand and stepped on it as I was trying to secure my wallet.

Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

Around 1:00 p.m. I caught a ride to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which had its grand opening the first of November 2025. I didn’t take many photos because there are so many on the web.

It appeared to be a long wait for food at most places. I found Ratios Bakery and quickly had the Sicilian Sandwich. It was huge, so that packed the remainder to go, which I had for dinner.

I had pre-paid for the 4:00 p.m. tour. Understand that this place is busy like a State Fair and huge. The girl at the window asked to see my passport so I pulled it out. Then she said she would give it back to me after the tour as security for the listening device. I said I was willing to make a cash deposit or a hold on a credit card but I’m not going to turn over my passport, so I skipped the tour as a matter of principle.

The weather was perfect, making me forget that it’s no longer summer back where I live.