And here we are, back in Cairo. We flew back this afternoon from Aswan, after a morning spent packing and clearing out of our room on the riverboat. Goodbye, Esmeralda!
The only decent pictures I took today are night shots -- so once again, you're seeing the glowing nocturnal metropolis. Our hotel, the Kempinski Nile, is to the right on the opposite riverbank in the photo above, the one with the big white sign along the roof. The photo was taken from the top of Cairo Tower, apparently known locally as "Nasser's Pineapple."
It does look kind of pineapple-ish at the top.
The tower was built starting in 1956, and it has a fantastic tile mosaic on the ground floor depicting various scenes from Egyptian life. And at the top -- a rotating restaurant! When I found that out, I knew we had to go. Our tour guide made reservations for us and even arranged our transportation.
Here's the inside of the rotating restaurant, all decorated for the holidays. The web site says it takes 45 minutes to complete a circle, but we timed it, and it's more like 30. As Dave said, "It's a spin cycle!" It honestly doesn't seem fast, but the rotating mechanism sounds a bit creaky.
And look -- from the viewing deck above the restaurant, our first view of...
...the pyramids!
That's where we'll be going today, along with several other sites on a whirlwind tour of Cairo.
I haven't had a chance to answer your comments on my previous posts, but I will do so when I get back to London on Sunday. Sorry for the wait! I am reading all your comments and I appreciate your sticking with me during this crazy jaunt!
Really enjoying your photos especially as it is somewhere I have never been , and not likely to!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you eat in the rotating restaurant? Perhaps cinnamon whirls or maybe they had a rotisserie menu? Enjoy your last hours in Egypt.
ReplyDeleteI once had a server job in the tower in San Antonio where the restaurant rotated. There were two entrances into the kitchen area and depending on how long you were in there you would choose a door to get back to your assigned tables. I have no sense of direction. I lost 15 pounds in two weeks running laps around that restaurant and never did get oriented.
ReplyDeleteI love these night time shots. How was the rotating restaurant? We have one here atop the Hyatt Hotel downtown and there was one on top of our hotel in New York last year. I enjoy the views! I can't wait to see your photos of the pyramids.
ReplyDeleteNo Need To Reply - Really Enjoying This Series Of Photos - Pleased To Read That You Are In Your Element - Thanx For All The Photos And Story Telling - Its A Magical Place
ReplyDeleteCheers
P.S. I Am Dropping The Dude Off At The Airport Today. He Will Be In Your Neck Of The Woods In About 18 Hours.
I'm loving all these wonderful photos. That pineapple tower looks so interesting. I've never been in a revolving restaurant, but I'm betting that it was wonderful. Can't wait to see photos of the pyramids. Keep having fun, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteDon't even worry for a second about not answering comments. Just enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat shot with the pyramids- my god!
What would those old pharaohs have thought, to see their giant monuments still standing, surrounded by magical lights and buildings? Their creations still the tallest and most massive.
I've been enjoying your journey--virtually. I'm sure it is more than a bit surreal to sit in a rotating restaurant looking out over the pyramids. Safe travels back to the UK.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such grand views from that restaurant. I am so surprised that you can pyramids from there. So cool!
ReplyDeleteYou are seeing some things that are very different. You will look back for years on this experience.
ReplyDeleteNow I'll have pineapple dreams and pyramidical thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed that you would even bother to blog. A taste of Egypt- you will likely want to go back tp spend some relaxed time somewhere along the river. I have a friend mad about Egypt, he takes artists there, they rent a house and a boat and stay for about fourteen days or or longer, making it affordable for all. The trip is paid for him by the folks he takes, a small fee to cover the flight and accommodation, but he does everything, makes it easy on folks and worth it to have someone who knows
ReplyDeleteEgypt and tricks of travel lead the way.
what a fabulous trip!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to come here and catch up on your travels! They look fantastic!
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