The White Desert of Egypt and Libyan Desert Oasis (II)
The photograph allows time to realize how urbanization encircles the site.
After this introduction, towards the desert. Indeed, we have 400 km of road to go to the oasis of Bahariya – I failed to mention that this trip is not exactly a ‘journey on foot. ” It must be an hour’s drive before leaving the greater Cairo (the modern residential area of Oct. 6 – a reference to the “victory” against Israel in Egypt in 1973 – on the horizon which we still see dawn, miles during the peak of the pyramid of Chephren). Can you pass along a railway cutting the iron ore produced near the oasis of Bahariya, and some oil wells. This portion of the desert is not the most entertaining as can be seen on the next picture.
And contrary to what I know in Algeria, Niger and Mauritania, the desert of Egypt is an absolute desert, virtually devoid of vegetation!
Our destination for tonight is the oasis of Bahariya, or more precisely the location of Baouiti in the latter. This site contains some curiosities archelogiques: first a so-called Temple of Alexander, absolutely no interest (there would come after his pilgrimage to Siwa).
Then, a few mummies late (3rd century BC), head covered with gold leaf, and recently discovered in the vicinity. Unfortunately, it is forbidden to photograph. And finally, the underground tomb of a rich merchant (Qaret Qasr Salim), dating from the same era and it is in principle equally forbidden to photograph. But Egypt is still Egypt: a small bribe to the guard is sufficient to close my eyes! The photo is what it’s worth, I unfortunately had not brought up, and flash I have still not dared.