sunrise at the top of mount moosa

Decided to go through some past images from our trip to Egypt  earlier this year.  The images in this post were taken at the top of Mount Moosa (Jabel Moosa) in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Also known as Mount Sinai, Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Jabal Musa. You can read more about this over at Wikipedia

It was quite an adventure getting to the top which starts with a 2 hour taxi drive at midnight. Then at about 2:30am, armed with a flashlight and light snacks you begin your hike to the top and push along to make it in time to witness the sunrise from the peak. Don’t expect to have any spiritual awakening here as you are joined with about 100+ tourists and dozens of Egyptian traders trying to sell you snacks and stones. Nevertheless, a tremendous experience and great photo opportunity.

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intricate work on the outside walls of the masjid

During our stay in Egypt earlier this year, we took a short weekend break to the coastal town of Alexandria. The must-see is the amazing bibliotheca, however in these pictures I’ve put together a few snapshots of Alexandria city-life, the boats & beaches as well as Pompeii’s pillar.

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These are a few sunset photographs of Alexandria, Egypt, taken from the coastline outside of Fort Qaitbay.   I really need to invest in a portable tripod or better still get a gorilla-pod to improve on these random photography shots

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We did a little desert trip labeled “Following the footsteps of King Farouk, the last king of Egypt”

Roughly  70km outside of Cairo, after the Helwan toll-road, the driver literally took a 90degree left turn off the highway into the desert.  No markers or signs, just a GPS and a broken down concrete barrier showed the evidence of this unofficial route.  Apparently Bedouins use this to cross through the mountains toward the Red Sea. Why?  To smuggle hashish!

Approximately 10km into the desert on rocky dirt roads, the original tarmac road has be completely wiped out in the last 50 years by flash-floods and sandstorms, we reach the hunting outpost by King Farouk.  Apparently this was also used to house the exiled King of Albania. These days Bedouins use this for a shelter or rendezvous point and all that’s left are empty structures and dried out gardens.

Lots of dusty wind, extreme heat and harsh sun meant many of the images below had to be photoshopped a bit.
click here to read more about this trip.

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A must see tourist attraction for the non tourist types.  This sufi meets folk dance performance is held 3 times a week at the Wikalet El-Ghoury in the heart of Islamic Cairo.

History says that Sultan Qonsuah Al Ghoury was the sultan in the Memluk Dynasty. What is the theater today, housed merchants, markets & the Sultans family many generations ago.  Apparently this building has been standing since the 15th century.

The performance is held every Monday, Wednesday & Saturday evenings.  Entrance is completely free of charge and doors open at 7:30pm.  I suggest you get there early as it tends to fill up quite quickly.  The performance begins at 8:30pm and lasts for approximately One and a half hours.

Pictures below:

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Fun was had by all, from 1 year old babies wrapped in Egyptian flags to senior women in their niqaabs now sporting Egyptian flag colors.  The absence of alcohol tends to prevent rowdiness and hooliganism normally associated with street parties.

Some photographs below.

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