The last of the ancient Seven Wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza was built over a twenty-year period between 2589-2566BC and it was the tallest structure made by human hands until the Eiffel Tower was completed. The pyramid is 479 feet tall and comprises over two million blocks of stone, some of which were of such an immense size and weight that their methods of precise placement are mind boggling.
The Giza plateau is home to three major pyramids and several smaller pyramids that were built as tombs with the sphinx guarding the pyramid complex. In 1979, UNESCO added the pyramids to the World Heritage List. After walking around the base of the pyramids we decided to gain a fresh perspective from the back of a camel!
101 of Camel Riding
Step one: Ensure the camel is completely on the ground.
Step Two: Position yourself in the saddle with one hand grasping the front and the other hand grasping the back of the saddle.
Step three: As the camel shifts its weight forward, hold on and prepare for their shift to the back as it rises on its legs. The motion is smooth but steep and it takes some strength to hold on while the camel stands.
Step Four: Sit back and relax as your camel is guided on its walk into the desert and around the pyramids.
As I got more and more comfortable in the saddle of my camel I was able to take a few pictures but never felt fully comfortable completely letting go of the saddle horn as you will see in the group shot! However, my discomfort was quickly overcome and I found the ability to cautiously play around with my desert ride.
Step Five: The dismount is the reverse action with the camel sitting back on their hind haunches before lowering the ground. The angle is not as steep and somehow seemed much easier. Riding on these ancient animals around the pyramids it was easy to envision the ancient caravans gently passing by the pyramids.
Mary Beth I have a passion for creating and experiencing unforgettable moments and sharing those with others. I hope that this story has helped you experience one of those moments.