14. November 2004 12:53
by Rene Pallesen
0 Comments
Khefren, Khafre's son, did not
seem to have the same desire to outbuild his father.
|
|
His pyramid is not as tall as Khafre's
pyramid, but looks so because it stands on higher ground. |
|
Each of these blocks of granite came
to about shoulder height on the average man
- they were about one cubic metre each in size. |
|
The few people who tried to climb up
the pyramid were called down by security guards patrolling the area.
We noticed the granite blocks further up the pyramid seemed smaller.
The quality of the workmanship worsened as the pyramids neared completion
and smaller blocks were used. |
|
Just imagine - these pyramids would
have once glinted in the sunlight like diamonds in the desert. Kefren's
pyramid was once covered with a smooth and shiny layer of limestone.
Unfortunately, most of the limestone has been stripped off, used in
mosques and palaces. Only a small portion remains at the tip of Khefren's
pyramid. |
14. November 2004 12:45
by Rene Pallesen
0 Comments
We did not have a lot of opportunities to explore
the city of Cairo. Our hotel was located on the other side of the
Nile from downtown Cairo, so there was not a lot happening.
|
|
In Cairo, we noticed a lot of large carcasses hanging
along the streets outside the butcher shops. Most of the shops and
restaurants were closed due to Ramadan, but Sunday heralded the last
day of Ramadan, so many were preparing for the final feast.
|
|
We tried in vain to find a restaurant for the family
to eat dinner, but no such luck. However, we did try to stop for some
beers at a small café along the Nile - no beers because it
was still Ramadan till that night, so we settled for some softdrink
and hot potato chips.
|
|
The city of Cairo looks hazy and grey, with all the
buildings a muddy colour.
It was nice to sit by the Nile.
|
|
The view from our Hotel Pyramisa at sundown.
|
14. November 2004 11:13
by Rene Pallesen
0 Comments
14. November 2004 11:06
by Rene Pallesen
0 Comments
|
|
The largest pyramids were built by
Khafre (Cheops) and his son Kefren (Chephren).
|
|
Khafre's pyramid stood 147 metres tall.
Each side was 230 metres (with only 0.2% margin error - can you believe
that?) |
|
René's mum stands at the foot of Kefren's pyramid.
|
|
|
It is almost a one-kilometre walk around
the whole pyramid. |
|
It is taller than Kefren's pyramid but does not look
so as it sits on lower ground.
It is estimated that something like 2.3 million blocks were used to
build the pyramid.
|
|
Right: There
once lay a solar-boat. Khafre's mummy was placed into this boat as the
ancient Egyptians believed the pharaoh sailed to the after-life.
The boat is now housed in a building next to the pyramid. |
Created: Dec 2004Last Updated:
24-Jan-2005
14. November 2004 11:05
by Rene Pallesen
0 Comments
|
|
Whilst we were waiting to check-in,
the family decided to get something to eat as we had not eaten anything
since breakfast on the plane. |
|
|
|
Created: Dec 2004Last Updated:
24-Jan-2005
