Girls Do Alexandria, Boys Do Kid's Day of Fun

Sunday Melissa and Melanie went to Alexandria for the day on the train to see the new library (Bibliotheca Alexandria) while Marc and Kim gave the kids a really fun day. M&M left home at 7am and took the metro line into Ramses Station and from there took the direct train to Alex (2 1/2 hours). We arrived in Alex at 10:30 and walked from the station to the library to get a feel for the city. Some of the way was along the corniche (the path along the semi-circular Mediterranean bay). We did a tour of the impressive library and were struck by the contrast between the run-down state of the city and overwhelming opulance of the library.

(part of the reading hall with space for 2000 users!)

We then went to the 2nd century A.D. catacombes (3 levels underground) but no photos as we had to leave our cameras at the gate. After that we headed back to the station to catch the 3 o'clock train back to Cairo. Meanwhile the boys and Madi went to City Stars Shopping Center, the newest huge shopping complex in Cairo. They had lunch at RainForest Cafe, a US chain restaurant that is totally decorated as a rainforest jungle complete with waterfall and animals that move and make noise at random moments. After that they saw a movie and then had some rides in a theme park - all in the mall!! Today is a rest day before our 5.30am flight to Luxor and 3 night Nile cruise starting tomorrow!

No more blogs until we get back.