Visiting The Incredible Wonders Of The World
Having seen the inspiring exhibition - Gold of The Pharaoh's at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh in 1988 on a school trip. I was intrigued and keen to learn more!
While doing some research or in my case playing around (I was only 10) I came across the words "Wonder of the Ancient World". Now I was on a mission to discover what the Wonder's of the Ancient World were. Oh my, I had taken a journey down a rabbit hole!
Did you know there are several lists of Wonders of the World? We are most familiar with the Ancient Wonders of the World. What about the natural wonders, modern wonders, new seven wonders? Today there are even 100 Wonders of the World List Challenges!
The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
The original Wonders of the World list is my favourite but only one monument from it still stands - The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. The oldest of all the ancient wonders constructed more than 4,500 years ago. The monumental tombs were seen as gateways, to the pharaohs becoming gods in the afterlife.
Relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom, The Great Pyramid of Giza is said to be the tomb for the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops, and his queen. Khufu is believed to have reigned during the 26th century BC from 2589BC to 2566BC.
It took a number of years until I was finally on my way to see this great place with these incredible monumental structures. It was a bit surreal, there they were at the end of the main road leading out of Cairo. Stepping off the bus in a place that felt quite alien. The heat hits you once more, while the landscape surrounding me dry and baron, camels grunting and the pungent smell as they got closer. "No, thank you" I had heard the stories of people disappearing into the distance on camels. Anyway, there wasn't much time to explore before getting back on board the bus.
It was a day trip from the cruise ship, one I will never forget.
Have you visited? What did you think? Were you brave enough to go inside the narrow and dark passage and into the chamber?

Me in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza ©MDHarding (photo taken before digital)
Some say it's the only man-made structure you can see from space, but this has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Do you know what's next?
The Great Wall of China
It's not at all what I imagined it to be like. Yes, it's a wall but the stairs along it were two to three feet high! It was a real work out. Did you think it was flat too?