Cairo - off the bucket list

When I first created my travel bucket list back in college, I had dreams of visiting some of the world’s most iconic places, but Egypt wasn’t really on my radar. However, considering it’s home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids, I might have added it, even if it wasn’t at the forefront of my mind. After already checking off the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India, it only felt right to experience the Pyramids next.

I was in luck – my younger brother has been living and working in Egypt for the past three years. I'd been meaning to visit for ages, but life kept getting in the way. This year, though, I made a solid plan to carve out some time, and I brought the boys along for the adventure.

Our journey began with a brief stopover in Dubai before we flew to Cairo on Christmas night. The flight from Dubai to Cairo took about two and a half hours, and the Boeing we boarded was spacious with excellent service. We landed just past midnight and were greeted by special assistance for immigration, so we breezed through and were out in under an hour. My brother was waiting for us right outside, and within 20 minutes, we were at his flat. By the time we settled in, it was already past 2 AM, so after a quick hot shower, we were ready to crash for the night.

The first thing I noticed about Cairo was the chill in the air. A cold front had hit just before we arrived, and temperatures were a stark contrast to the warm weather we were used to. Daytime highs were in the 20s°C, but the nights dipped to the low 10s. We weren’t prepared for such cold, so we layered up with long-sleeve tees, sweaters, and jackets when heading outdoors, but at least we were warm inside thanks to the heaters.

We spent six jam-packed days in Cairo, and we made sure to experience as much as we could. We toured the Pyramids of Giza and the newly opened Egyptian Museum, spent a day skiing, enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Nile, and even ventured through the bustling Souk (market). We also did some shopping at the malls while we were at it.

Cairo is massive – there’s really no other way to describe it. Thankfully, my brother had a car, which made getting around a little easier, but travel times were long. A simple drive across the city could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, not including the traffic. And speaking of traffic – it was utterly insane during rush hour. We were stuck in traffic a couple of times, surrounded by cars blasting their horns incessantly, which made me lose my patience. Cairo drivers are a whole different breed. Forget lane discipline; they change lanes without signalling, speed like they’re in a race, and, worst of all, many drive while glued to their phones. There was one close call with a van, and don’t even get me started on pedestrians who treat streets like their own personal runway, even on highways.

Traffic jam near the Souk

One of the things I did enjoy, however, was the architecture. The buildings in Cairo are all painted the same dusky beige, creating a cohesive look across both old and new parts of the city. Yet, even in the most inconspicuous places, you’d stumble upon grand structures adorned with beautiful décor.

Hotel near the Souk

As for the people, I found them to be friendly, despite hearing stories of racism at times. In my experience, though, I only interacted with service staff and people used to tourists, so they were nice to us. However, there were a few heated moments. For instance, while driving through the crowded streets, we got some loud shouts from the locals. I, of course, shouted back – I’m the type who’ll defend my driver if someone’s breaking traffic rules!

Visiting the Pyramids was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip. My sister-in-law had booked a guide for us, whom we met before heading to Giza. To be honest, I expected the pyramids to be even more massive, but they were still impressive up close. We could have gone inside, but none of us were interested in hunching down the narrow, 30-meter deep corridors. Instead, we spent our time taking photos and soaking in the history. We also enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride around the site, though I passed on the camel ride (I’m just not a fan of those creatures!). Standing in the desert, gazing up at the Pyramids and the Sphinx, I could hardly believe it. The history embedded in those rocks was overwhelming.

Afterward, we went to an essential oils shop – a bit of a tourist trap, but it was fun. We sat down, sipped on Egyptian tea, and sampled various perfumes. I even picked up a few oils for myself and the boys, including a special eucalyptus and mint blend for my stuffy nose. Let's just say it was much cheaper than buying a bottle of Chanel No. 5. We also learned how papyrus is made, which was fascinating. The boys bought one with their father’s name written in hieroglyphs – another steep but meaningful souvenir.

We finished our historical day at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. It’s a massive space, and we barely scratched the surface. The museum holds artefacts from Egypt’s Pharaonic era up to the Roman period, and there’s so much to see that you’d need several days to fully explore it all. 

The entrance ticket

Ramsesses

The Museum's gift shop

That same day, we also went on a dinner cruise on the Nile, which was something I had been eager to do. Although we missed out on a great table, the food was delicious, and we enjoyed entertainment, including a belly dancer who truly stole the show. She even danced with my niece and nephew. The view of the illuminated hotels along the Nile was stunning, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of magic as we cruised along the river.

The boat we took for the diner cruise.

Diner Cruise

Our final stop was the Souk. It was just like I imagined – a maze of shops filled with trinkets and souvenirs. I picked up a few Papyrus items, some oils (much cheaper this time), and some tees for the boys. We also ventured to another part of the market, where we bought Abbayas and Djellabas as souvenirs. The Souk was huge, but it paled in comparison to the sprawling markets nearby. There were several large buildings packed with shops, and the streets were bustling with street vendors. Navigating by car was nearly impossible, but I was in my element, enjoying the chaos – for a little while at least!

Dates

Oils and perfumes

Lanterns

As for the cost of living – Egypt is so affordable. We ate out regularly, even at the fancy St. Regis hotel. It was a pleasant surprise how inexpensive everything was. For comparison, mocktails at the St. Regis were about 3000 XOF, while they would cost twice as much in Dakar.

View from the St Regis Hotel

Cake Spread

Bathroom selfie

Stairs

 I also enjoyed Egyptian food, my Sis in law ordered one morning, particularly the spicy eggplant dish, which I fell in love with and Fūl, a stew cooked with beans eaten with flatbread.

Spicy eggplant, Fūl, flatbread and falafels 

Rice with chicken liver dish

On the shopping front, I picked up some items from the mall, including Adidas sneakers for my son, and we spent one unforgettable day at Ski Egypt. It’s an indoor snow park, and while it was freezing at 4°C, the boys had a blast. My sister-in-law had booked a VIP experience, complete with Santa photos and lunch. Eventually, I retired outside to sit with my nephew, who was sleeping in his stroller, while the rest took ski lessons. It was a great way to unwind in the heat while waiting for the others to finish. 

Six days in Cairo felt like just the beginning. There’s so much more I want to explore: the museum, Old Cairo, and other cities like Alexandria and Luxor. And next time, I’m going solo, when the weather is a bit warmer. Traveling with family is wonderful, but let’s face it – they can slow you down. Hopefully, Inshallah, I’ll return for round two.