We had a free day before we started our official tour so our guide arranged a day trip to Memphis which is the site of the first pyramid and Northern Capital of the old Egypt. The second largest Sphinx in Egypt is located here which is a cross between a lion and a human.

The next site was the highlight of the day, the first pyramid ever built with 6 layers. The special thing about this area was we had the chance to go inside another pyramid which had carvings and colour on them which are the only ones in existence. Getting in and out is quite a back bending mission. There were stars on the roof and the most fascinating thing was when the guide put his torch against the wall it illuminated, alabaster material and hieroglyphics and animals painted. aThis area was only recently discovered so we felt very lucky to experience this. The Kings weren’t the only ones that built pyramids for their final resting place before they had eternal life; doctors, butchers and wives also. The last attraction for the day was a carpet factory, we saw silk, Egyptian cotton and wool being woven and the factory is a school, where children learn the trade and they get a daily salary and other perks like school clothes and extra tutoion. I had a go, these kids are fast and the one that was showing me was 10 years old and a bit of a star in the carpet making world. https://vimeo.com/381032324

Before we left I had wanted to get two small carpets, one for each side of our bed so we purchased 2 Egyptian cotton ones. Our carpets took 1 month each. Once back in Cario we had free time so Niels and I decided to walk to the tallest tower where we had a great view.

We walked home via a quick dinner then off to bed while Niels went out to watch some local soccer in a cafe with our guide. An excellent first day in the hunt for Pyramids.