The Travel Bug: Wonders of Egypt #2/12 (Alexandria)

Alexandria is a 2.5h drive away from Cairo, and is an interesting day trip to make if you have the time. There are 2 main roads you can use to get there. If you take the Desert Road as we did, the drive itself is not particularly interesting, although you will pass the 6th of October city, as well as half built community residential housing along the way.

There's a change in the air as you enter Alexandria (or "Alex" as it is affectionately known), the air is much cleaner than Cairo (which permenantly smells like Singapore at its worst during the haze season) and the site of the blue sea brightens up the whole place. It's a pity the facilities and buildings along the waterfront are all still very old and badly maintained. It's a very far cry from other waterfronts in say... Australia or even Singapore.

Pompey Pillar

Pompey's pillar is one of the noteable monuments in Alexandria, a tall granite column which still remains standing amongst the ruins.

2 Sphinxes have been brought in from other places and (randomly?) placed at the bottom of the pillar. (Reminded me of our visit to Memphis, where a smaller collection of artifacts were just brought together for visitors to view)

Kom el-Shouqafa Catacombs

Visiting the catacombs was one of the highlights for us. The underground tunnels and chambers are in the middle of a densely populated area, and are said to have served as a tomb for those who had fled to Egypt to avoid religious persecution. The catacombs were therefore secretly built to protect the bodies which were buried according to their own customs.

You can climb down the circular staircase to access the first basement level and walk around the corridors and decorations in the various rooms.

The second and third basements remain (partially) submerged underwater to this day and are therefore not opened to the public.

Qait Bey Fortress

Nothing remains of the ancient lighthouse known as the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, but a quick stop by the fortress which stands at the original site allows for some nice seaside photographs to be taken

Montazah Palace & Gardens

Montazah Palace built by the sea, is a former royal summer residence. The surrounding gardens are open to the public for them to enjoy. Also within the grounds are chalets that are supposedly reserved for high ranking government officials to use.

Bibliotheca Alexandria

The Bibliotheca Alexandria (or Library of Alexandria) is probably the most modern and well maintained building we visited in the whole of Egypt. Entrance is not free (cheaper for Egyptians), and you have to pay extra to view some of the exhibits inside. Having said that, I was still impressed with how well designed the place was, and it made me miss the days of being a student and hanging out at the library to study.

To be continued...