City of Alexandria

‘Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern’, says one of the travel guides which I came across. I could not agree more.

The beautiful beaches fronting the city were lined with colourful umbrellas providing some good shades to the many sun-bathers and holiday makers. Since the time I went to Greece 11 years ago, I had always liked the Mediterranean Sea and the region. And here I am, standing on the edge (once again) staring into the deep blue Sea of the Mediterranean. It is so serene, so romantic. Arh, if only we could have more time here!

While in Alexandria, we visited the Catacomb (no photographs are allowed), Pompey’s Pillar and King Farouk’s Palace (viewed from outside only).

Catacomb – these tombs were tunnelled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine emperors (2nd century A.D.) for a single wealthy family still practising the ancient Egyptian religion (Kom El-Shoqafa). It consists of three levels (about 35m deep) and the last level is closed because it is always submerged under water. We had to walk down a narrow spiral staircase to reach level 1 and level 2.

Pompey’s Pillar, approximately 25m red granite column with a circumference of 9m, was constructed in honour of the Emperor Diocletian.

Pompey’s Pillar (above and below 3)




We had our lunch here

Fish and rice, yummy

Qaitbay Fort

The very modern looking new Alexandria Library

With Jet, our tour leader
King’s Farouk’s Palace in the background

Using donkeys as means of transporting goods
is still a common sight in Egypt, even in big cities



Regardless of day and time, traffic jam in
Alexandria (also in Cairo) is indeed incredible!

Streets of Alexandria (above and below 2)



With our tour guide, Safwat (second from right),
his assistant, Hany (right) and the driver