Another 12-hour marathon to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx was in store for me today. At least the toilet in the bus had a light!!
The Cruise Brochure describes Alexandria as the second largest city in Egypt and as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC it became the Greco-Roman capital of Egypt and the setting of the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony.
There are many historic sites in Alexandria such as the legendary lighthouse – the Pharos – considered to be one of the original Seven Wonders of the World but sadly no longer standing although I saw an interesting TV programme last year, which purported to have located the site of this lighthouse. The 15th Century Mamluk Fort overlooking the eastern harbour is built on the foundations of the Pharos.
Our exit from the city sadly revealed a great deal of filth, litter and dilapidation as we began our 3-hour 140-mile drive to the capital of Egypt Cairo.
The photo is of the buildings along the Corniche – possibly the library or university sorry I have no way of determining which it is.
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