Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – 3 local ladies
Here we are in Country 52 of our World Journey, as we travel and learn through World-schooling as we go.
We have been in Egypt for three days now, and it is time to meet a few others in our tour group.
We have left behind the European Schengen Zone and our car, and I am pleased it is time for someone else to be organizing our travels, and this time we are with a great company called Encounters Travel on their Nubian Tour.
Up at 5:00 a.m. and collected at 6:00 a.m.from a lovely traditional place called Zayed Hotel, we then depart Cairo for the approx. 3-hour drive to Alexandria.
(We also have to have our bags packed as we move to a new hotel.)
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – local transport
The guided tour is pretty flexible, but we start off with a bit of a city tour and see the oldest trams I have seen in ages.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – old trams still run
We start with a visit to the Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa, which is the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria. Dating from the beginning of the Second Century AD this cemetery displays a unique blend of Pharaonic and Roman art.
They have a no camera rule, but you can take in cell / mobile phones, so this is a great time of world-schooling for Explorason.
Next is a stroll around Pompey’s Pillar, and this is a good time to start to get to know each other.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – Pompey’s Pillar
We then drive through Alexandria a bit more and head down to the Sea. There is a strong Greek influence here, with a lot of fishing.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – fishermen
We wander around the front of the Citadel built on the site of the famous ancient ‘Pharos’ lighthouse (one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World) and meet a few friendly local guys. Here is a taste of Egyptian souvenirs, and we start to see beautiful items for sale.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – sit of one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World
I start to see things I want to buy, and there are some beautiful plates for sale.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – local souvenirs
I love this mamma sitting on the seawall with her shoes off.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – taking a rest
We then drive along the seawall to a great old restaurant where the manager showed me his collection of photographs from years gone by. I am overwhelmed with how nice Egyptians are, and how they have suffered since the Revolution, and long for the old days of tourism to return.
Lunch is included and this was a fantastic local seafood plate (I had the trout), with seafood soup, and traditional Egyptian appetizers and warm bread, and a small sweet treat dessert to finish off.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – Seafood lunch
We then head to the Roman amphitheater, which has twelve semi-circular marble tiers and is in remarkably good condition.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – Amphitheatre
Our guide is fantastic and is teaching us so much about the history of Egypt. He is well known here on TV and is Safwat Alaraby.
It is interesting to learn about the Roman and Greek influence here in Egypt. Explorason dashes into the dressing room area and plays the actor.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – Amphitheatre Dressing Rooms
The last call of the day is the impressive new Library of Alexandria, but sadly they have a rule that no children under 16 can enter without a guide, and we missed the last English speaking Guide. So we let the others go in there and talk to the guide, then we are joined by Mary on our tour outside.
Egyptians are really friendly, and we meet a lot of happy locals.
Exploramum and Explorason – Egypt, Alexandria – Happy Locals
On our 4 hour drive back, the entire coach is asleep, except our driver.
We have a really great first day, and the people on our tour are all so lovely.
We arrived back at Cairo to Soluxe Hotel.
Tomorrow is the first “Official” day of our Tour, and four more people are joining us.
It is so good that for once I had a day without doing the driving. And we learned so much too.
Glad we chose the extra Day Tour Alexandria Egypt with Encounters Travel.
BOOKINGS and ENQUIRIES: Book Zayed Hotel here
BOOKINGS and ENQUIRIES: Book this hotel here
Awesome tour! I was supposed to take a trip to Egypt just two weeks after the coup happened. Never rescheduled it but it sounds like the time is right!
I think now is a great time to visit Egypt as it feels safe for us. And there is hardly anyone here! Hope you get there one day.