Checking in from my hotel in Luxor.
With some luck, I might be able to do a few posts tonight.
Watch this space :-)
Sunday 21 December 2008
Saturday 20 December 2008
Egypt trip, Dec 2008 - Masr al-Qadima (Old Cairo) Part 2
A short walk from the Hanging Church and you can find the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George.
The image of St George as a Roman solider mounted on a fine white Arabian horse and spearing a dragon is a familiar one throughout the Christian East. He is undoubtedly the most popular warrior-saint in the 'hood.
The original Church of St. George was built in the 10th Century. The Holy Family is said to have taken shelter in a place now covered by the Church.
The church had been burned many times. It burned in 1904 and the current structure was built in 1909, but still has some of the older structure's beautiful stained-glass windows.
St. George is the only round church in Egypt (and one of the few round churches still in existence in the East). But unlike the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre and its many imitators, this is only for practical reasons, as the church is built on top the foundations of a Roman round tower.
A relief of St. George and the dragon wrapped around the outer brickwork of the tower
For centuries, the church alternated between Copt and Greek ownership, but since the 15th Century, it has remained Greek Orthodox, and the adjoining monastery of St. George is now the seat of the Greek patriarch. Funnily enough, the church is involved in the Coptic celebration of the Moulid of Mari Girgis (St. George's Day) on April 23 and it is one of the largest Coptic festivals in Cairo.
The church has two main levels: the lower level contains a numbers of small chapels and icons and the upper level is mainly comprised of a large hall. Unfortunately, a large part of the main hall is fenced off. The interior of the hall is very dark and is heavy with incense. Together with the sunbeams that pierced through the stained glass windows, a very special atmosphere was created.
[to be continued]
The image of St George as a Roman solider mounted on a fine white Arabian horse and spearing a dragon is a familiar one throughout the Christian East. He is undoubtedly the most popular warrior-saint in the 'hood.
The original Church of St. George was built in the 10th Century. The Holy Family is said to have taken shelter in a place now covered by the Church.
The church had been burned many times. It burned in 1904 and the current structure was built in 1909, but still has some of the older structure's beautiful stained-glass windows.
St. George is the only round church in Egypt (and one of the few round churches still in existence in the East). But unlike the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre and its many imitators, this is only for practical reasons, as the church is built on top the foundations of a Roman round tower.
A relief of St. George and the dragon wrapped around the outer brickwork of the tower
For centuries, the church alternated between Copt and Greek ownership, but since the 15th Century, it has remained Greek Orthodox, and the adjoining monastery of St. George is now the seat of the Greek patriarch. Funnily enough, the church is involved in the Coptic celebration of the Moulid of Mari Girgis (St. George's Day) on April 23 and it is one of the largest Coptic festivals in Cairo.
The church has two main levels: the lower level contains a numbers of small chapels and icons and the upper level is mainly comprised of a large hall. Unfortunately, a large part of the main hall is fenced off. The interior of the hall is very dark and is heavy with incense. Together with the sunbeams that pierced through the stained glass windows, a very special atmosphere was created.
[to be continued]
Egypt trip, Dec 2008 - Masr al-Qadima (Old Cairo) Part 1
We arrived in Cairo at around 1am so we decided to take it easy and have a short city tour during the day.
Our first stop is the Mara Girgis area. It is one of Cairo's oldest still-inhabited neighbourhoods.
In the 6th Century BC, it was a fortified garrison, known as Babylon-in-Egypt.
As we exited the Mari Girgis metro station, there were the remains of two Roman towers. They formed part of the fortifications built by Emperor Trajan in AD 130.
We then visited the 7th Century Al-Muallaqa Church (Church of the Virgin). It is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and it is also the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo
The nineteenth century façade with twin bell towers is decorated with modern art biblical designs.
The building is also called the "Hanging Church" as its nave was built on top of a Roman bastion. (This photo is a little confusing, but imagine you are standing on a platform looking down, and this is how high up the church is)
The church is dark but its interior is splendidly decorated.
The main altar (Egyptian Arabic: haikal) screen is made of ebony inlaid with ivory that is carved into segments showing several Coptic Cross designs that date back to around the 12th or 13th century.
13th Century ebony screen inlaid with ivory
The 11th-century marble pulpit surmounts 13 pillars, representing Jesus and the 12 disciples. As customary in Coptic churches, one of the pillars is black (made with basalt), representing Judas, and another is grey, for doubting Thomas. Its steps are carved with a shell and a cross.
The Church is adorned with Icons.
[to be continued]
Our first stop is the Mara Girgis area. It is one of Cairo's oldest still-inhabited neighbourhoods.
In the 6th Century BC, it was a fortified garrison, known as Babylon-in-Egypt.
As we exited the Mari Girgis metro station, there were the remains of two Roman towers. They formed part of the fortifications built by Emperor Trajan in AD 130.We then visited the 7th Century Al-Muallaqa Church (Church of the Virgin). It is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and it is also the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo
The nineteenth century façade with twin bell towers is decorated with modern art biblical designs.
The building is also called the "Hanging Church" as its nave was built on top of a Roman bastion. (This photo is a little confusing, but imagine you are standing on a platform looking down, and this is how high up the church is)The church is dark but its interior is splendidly decorated.
The main altar (Egyptian Arabic: haikal) screen is made of ebony inlaid with ivory that is carved into segments showing several Coptic Cross designs that date back to around the 12th or 13th century.
13th Century ebony screen inlaid with ivory
The 11th-century marble pulpit surmounts 13 pillars, representing Jesus and the 12 disciples. As customary in Coptic churches, one of the pillars is black (made with basalt), representing Judas, and another is grey, for doubting Thomas. Its steps are carved with a shell and a cross.
The Church is adorned with Icons.
[to be continued]
Thursday 18 December 2008
Egypt trip, Dec 2008 - First note from Cairo
18th December 2008. Our first day in Cairo.
Our hotel is called the Grand Pyramide Hotel and it is located not too far from the Grand Pyramids.
We can see the pyramids from our balcony. The view is kinda surreal: the ancient pyramids are sitting behind a pile of old buildings and a modern highway.
Our hotel is called the Grand Pyramide Hotel and it is located not too far from the Grand Pyramids.
We can see the pyramids from our balcony. The view is kinda surreal: the ancient pyramids are sitting behind a pile of old buildings and a modern highway.
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Kenya & Tanzania trip, Oct 2008 - Part 3
More photos from the trip:
An annoyed hippo. They are actually quite noisy!
Vultures enjoying their meal
The illusive leopard didn't appear until our second last day. This was a sleepy leopard, and he spent most of the time laying down.
Here is one of him staring right at us.
We were also lucky enough to see the tree climbing lion
This cheetah put on a show for us....
... he pretended he was interested in a group of antelopes. Took a little chase and decided to stop and rest! He did that while there were a number of tourists watching! I wonder whether he gets commission from the tourism board.
Anyway, can you tell the difference between a leopard and a cheetah?
I love this photo of a lion family. They walked right pass our vehicle (as in rubbing their body against the tyres!). It was simply an amazing experience!
An annoyed hippo. They are actually quite noisy!
Vultures enjoying their meal
The illusive leopard didn't appear until our second last day. This was a sleepy leopard, and he spent most of the time laying down. 
Here is one of him staring right at us. 
We were also lucky enough to see the tree climbing lion
This cheetah put on a show for us....
... he pretended he was interested in a group of antelopes. Took a little chase and decided to stop and rest! He did that while there were a number of tourists watching! I wonder whether he gets commission from the tourism board.Anyway, can you tell the difference between a leopard and a cheetah?
Leopards have more complex spotting pattern of clusters of black and brown spots which look like roses, called rosettes. This pattern simulates shifting plants and shadows, providing camouflage as the leopards stalk their prey from tall grass and underbrush. Leopards in eastern Africa have circular rosettes, while their southern African brethren have square rosettes. Leopards are also noticeably bulkier looking than cheetahs. They’re not built for speed, but surprise attacks. The extra strength helps leopards drag their prey up trees, where hide the kill to feed on at their leisure. Leopards walk using their legs in diagonal pairs (i.e. left front and right back leg, then right front and left back leg). Like the rest of the big cats, leopards can roar but can’t purr except while they’re exhaling.
Cheetahs have solid black spots and black “tear lines” that run from the corner of their eyes down the sides of their nose to their mouth. They’re also lankier than rest of the big cats and have smaller jaws and longer tails. They hunt during the day and rely on bursts of speed (short distances only). When walking and running, they pace, moving their two left legs and then their two right legs. Unlike leopards and other big cats, they can purr while they inhale, but can’t roar.
This little elephant was trying to be a grown-up and wanted to scare us away. It was a bit small to upset us. We did almost get chased by a much larger elephant at another time, but we didn't have any time to take photos!
This little elephant was trying to be a grown-up and wanted to scare us away. It was a bit small to upset us. We did almost get chased by a much larger elephant at another time, but we didn't have any time to take photos! :-P
I love this photo of a lion family. They walked right pass our vehicle (as in rubbing their body against the tyres!). It was simply an amazing experience!Tuesday 18 November 2008
Kenya & Tanzania trip, Oct 2008 - Part 2
Kiss
" What should I have for dinner today?"
The lions just sleep where they like. This guy was just sleeping on the roadside.
Serval cat. They really look likes a cat and they are specialised in catching rodents. 
Life can be surprisingly dangerous if you don't look around carefully
Zebra and wildebeest are team players
Warthog. They always make me laugh! Probably because of the movie "Lion King". They can actually run pretty fast. They often run with their tails in the air and I guess that why it is funny. The animal has pretty poor eyesight but that is compensate with a good sense of smell
Run, run, run!
The female elephants spend their lives in tightly knitted family groups with other females and young males. Each group is headed by the eldest female. When a young male grows up, he will have to leave the group and live a mostly solitary life.
Elephants love to have mud bath. This practice protects the skin from burning, as well as from insect bites and moisture lossKenya & Tanzania trip, Oct 2008 - Part 1
It has been a while, but , I have finally got around to upload some photos from the Kenya & Tanzania trip.
Hyena hunting for food
Success!
Nice bum.
Rhino. I think this is a black rhino.
A zebra treating to mate. He didn't get lucky that particular time :-P
Oxpecker and buffalo are on friendly terms
Lion! The male actually doesn't have to do much, and they live a very cushy life!
Zebra-crossing. Sorry, can't resist!
Beautiful landscape
Cheetah, disturbed by tourists
Zebras cuddling
A herd of elephants
Ostriches doing their courting dance:
The male ostrich's neck turns really pink when it is turned on. Then he approaches the female and perform a dance to attract attention. If he is good, then the female will reciprocate the dance and there is a sign for acceptance. The mating process is actually rather quick.
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