Our second day in Cairo began early at the Dahab Hostel. The air was filled with excitement because today was the day we would finally see the legendary Pyramids and the majestic Nile. After picking up our friend Shakir Azhari, we crossed the bridge over the Nile and headed toward Giza.
Standing Before the Giants of Giza
Even from a distance, the Pyramids loomed like massive mountains against the horizon. We started our exploration with a quick tea and snack break at the foot of the hill before heading to the ticket counter.
Pro Tip: There are two entrances to the Giza complex. We chose the one away from the Sphinx to avoid the heavy crowds and persistent touts. Interestingly, the counters don't accept cash, so Shakir had to use a card to secure our entry.
Walking toward the Great Pyramid was surreal. These structures are nearly 4,000 years old. Up close, they don’t look like the smooth triangles you see in photos; instead, they are made of massive limestone blocks—about 2.3 million of them—each taller than a human! After wandering around the three main pyramids, we took a horse carriage ride to a panoramic viewpoint to capture that perfect "three-pyramid" photo.
The Mystery of the Sphinx
As we descended the hill, we came face-to-face with the Great Sphinx. This mythical creature, with the body of a lion and the head of a human, is one of the world’s largest monolithic statues. Carved from limestone about 4,500 years ago, it stretches 73 meters long. Despite its missing nose and weathered face, its presence is absolutely commanding.
A Journey Through Coptic Cairo
From Giza, we took a Uber to Coptic Cairo, the heart of Egypt’s ancient Christian community. The history here is palpable. We visited:
The Hanging Church: Built in the 7th century, it gets its name because it is suspended over a Roman fortress gatehouse.
Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church: Believed to be the spot where the Holy Family rested during their flight to Egypt.
Riding the Cairo Metro
To get to our next stop, we hopped on the Cairo Metro. Unlike the high-tech, shiny metros in other global cities, the Cairo Metro (opened in 1987) is rugged and functional, serving millions of locals daily. We traveled from the Mar Girgis station to Sadat Station, located right under the famous Tahrir Square.
After a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice and a hearty meal at a local restaurant, we visited the historic Al-Azhar Mosque and picked up some souvenirs—fridge magnets and tiny alabaster pyramids.
Sailing the Nile and Scaling the Tower
No trip to Cairo is complete without the Nile. We hired a private boat for the three of us and spent time drifting along the river, watching the city skyline and the sunset reflect off the water.
Our final major stop was the Cairo Tower on Gezira Island. Built in 1961 in the shape of a lotus plant, it was once the tallest building in North Africa. We took the elevator to the observation deck, 614 feet above the ground. From the top, Cairo looked magical—the greenery of the island, the glowing bridges, and the endless city lights.
A Final Midnight Stroll
After saying goodbye to Shakir, I wasn't quite ready to end the day. I took a taxi back to the market area. The driver was so polite that I booked him for our airport drop-off the next day!
Instead of taking a cab back to the hostel, I decided to walk the 3.5 kilometers. Walking through the late-night streets of Cairo, grabbing a quick shawarma, and soaking in the local atmosphere was the perfect end to an unforgettable journey. As I finally reached my room, the ancient city of Cairo hummed outside my window, a beautiful mix of the old and the new.
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