Many countries (especially those whose economies are heavily dependent on tourism) often have one of this iconic sight which will single-handedly take up all the limelight to be the start attraction (think along the lines of Angkor Wat for Cambodia or the Iguazú Falls for Argentina). It is also a no-brainer to figure that the Pyramids of Giza is THE star attraction for Egypt and that millions had visited the country because of this sight.

The only remaining sight belonging to the seven wonders of the ancient world, the first Pyramids of Giza was built in the 4th dynasty at around 2,570BC as a funerary complex. The rationale of constructing such massive complexes was neither due to an obsession with death nor the fear of it. Instead, it was due to the belief in after life and the pharaoh's believed role in being the connection between the gods and his people that led the ancient Egyptians in building such incredible mausoleums. Set between the earth and the sky, connecting the mortal and divine worlds, the pharaoh could then be honoured when he was alive and worshipped when he was dead. As time passes (especially after the end of the Old Kingdom), afterlife became more accessible. However, it also generally left little room for such gigantic structures and thus alternative forms of tombs were designed (i.e. by cutting tunnels into cliffs like the Valley of the Kings).

On our very last full day in Egypt, we headed out early for the Giza Pyramids via a public bus (E£0.50/S$0.13 per person) and reach the ticket office via the Pyramids Road entrance. We quickly (there was not as many people as we saw at the Egyptian Museum) got our tickets (E£60/S$15 per entry) and entered the premises. It was interesting to note that the Giza Plateau (or where the pyramids are situated) is located right beside the busy city suburb of Giza!

There are basically 3 major pyramids in the Giza Plateau namely (brackets denote Greek terms) the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus). Being here for more than 4,000 years, these pyramids (with their associated temple) had functioned as tomb and place of worship for these 3 pharaohs ruling in the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom. While it may seem that the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Khafre's father) is shorter than the Pyramid of Khafre (easily distinguished as its peak is capped with a limestone casing), it is actually taller by 10 meters as Khafre's pyramid (height at 136 meters) stands on higher ground. The shortest of all, the Pyramid of Menkaure has a height of 62 meters and looks like a dwarf when compared to the other 2 pyramids.

For hardcore enthusiasts who sees their prime objective as climbing these ancient structures, their fantasy could be fulfilled by spending another E£100 (or S$25) to climb and explore the interiors of Khufu's pyramid. I was pretty tempted to do it at one point though Sally was not very interested (the weather was rather warm that day) and thus we gave that a miss.