I began my visit to the Giza Plateau very early in the morning. Arriving at a recommended camel provider in the middle of the old town, following introductions and a short bargaining session, I had procured a camel for the morning. I sat down outside the shop with the friendly merchant while my camel was gotten ready. It was a unique experience seeing people getting their animals ready for the coming day's tourists and having a cup of tea as I waited patiently for the camel to be brought out. The conversation was friendly and I eagerly awaited setting off to the pyramids. I was assigned a young Egyptian boy to tend to the camel and provide assistance as necessary. I mounted my camel with ease as the boy positioned the camel for an easy mount. We then began a short walk through the old town to the open desert. I bounced along on the camel riding in silence and taking it all in. We entered Giza through a gate and we were out on the open desert. The sun was beginning to rise above the horizon and the view was spectacular. As we crested a dune, I saw the top of the Great Pyramid, and as I rode closer, I realized the immensity of the pyramid and saw for the first time five other pyramids. It was truly a breathtaking experience. My camel tender lead me right up to the pyramids. I left my camel and began a walk among the pyramids and decided to take the trip into one and I found that it was exhilarating and hot. If you are the least bit claustrophobic, I recommend another activity (I had failed to realize that I still had on my sunglasses and had I not discovered my error, I am sure it would have been a much worse experience for me). Upon exiting, I took a break in the sun for a few minutes and watched the tourists as the numbers began to increase dramatically. I then walked over to the Great Sphinx of Giza. It was a sight to see! Afterwards, I found my camel tender and we slowly headed back to town, stopping along the way for pictures and to purchase a soda from a friendly vendor. Payments and gratuities were tendered and goodbyes were said as I left Giza hoping to return again one day. It was a fantastic experience and I shall forever remember my first sighting of the pyramids from atop a camel. Good journeys!

It is amazing that the Pyramids are so close to town. One minute you are driving through busy streets and the next the Pyramids are towering over the buildings and shops like huge mountains. The size of the pyramids cannot be appreciated until you visit them. The TV and books do not prepare you for their immensity. I was amazed to learn that on one level of each pyramid (not the same level in each) that food does not decompose. This is the level that the mummies were placed on. Gravity is lighter inside the pyramids than outside. Electronic devices do not work inside. These are only evident at the Giza pyramids. They really are wonderous and seeing them creates more questions than answers. Don't forget to visit the Boat House either. The vendors and scammers at the Pyramids annoy many people but if you are aware before you go and learn some of the local language, you will be more aware and not fall for tricks and being able to speak a few words of their language stops hassling quickly. Treat it as a fun experience not an inconvenience.

Seeing the pyramids was like a dream come true! No picture I've ever seen has actually done them the justice they truly deserve. It really it something that needs to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.

I won't go on any more about how fantastic they are, but I will offer a suggestion! If you have your heart set on getting inside the great pyramid, make sure you get there and line up before noon when the tickets go on sale. They limit the number of people allowed in each day and you don't want to miss out! The climb up the steep, narrow passage way to the tomb is hot, crowded, long, and only about half as tall as the average adult....but, still, you're inside of a pyramid!!! No matter how miserable it was to climb up, it's still not something the average person off the street gets to do every day. The tomb at the top was a bit of a let down, since it was virtually empty, but with a little imagination you can picture the way it must've been when it was actually put to it's true use.

I can't say enough about it....just go see the Pyramids!

The Pyramids of Giza are a spectacular sight! They are jaw dropping and awe inspiring. They make you feel so small. They make you want to learn all you can about who built them and how they were built! It is hot, as always in Egypt. There will be people pulling weeds for pennies a day, and there will be some litter on the ground. They are building a wall around the pyramids to try to cut down on some of the vandalization which, sadly, occurs quite frequently all around Egypt on the temple walls. You can take a very cheap camel ride at the base of the pyramids, but be prepared to tip. People will expect a tip for everything. As you walk around be prepared to be approached by several people selling trinkets and souveniers. Simply say, "La shokran" (no thank you,) to deter them. Carry water with you at all times as you will get thirsty. ENJOY!

After many visits to Sinai, Cairo was a MUST for us to see as well. Unfortunately we only had 3 days to see the most amazing city ever. The hotel with the famous room with a view: a view right on to the Pyramids. Wow, I had seen themin books, on TV but never imagined there were sooooo big. I am happy I had a chance and would want to go again. Another very interesting building to see is the old Nilometer, nothing to look at from the outside but inside ... fantastic, the ceiling hand painted in the famous egyptian colours, gold and blue. That was just as impressive as the pyramids. Next time though I will pick our winter to go Cairo. It is far too hot to visit this great city in the summer.