Egypt was supposed to be part of a tour of the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya and a cruise to the Seychelles Islands in 1997. Sadly, there was a terrorist attack in Luxor killing 62 people, mostly tourists. We were advised to stay on the plane at both the Luxor and Cairo airports. The second and third times (2022-23), we were booked for an Egypt tour with AHI Travel. Because of the war in Gaza both trips were cancelled. Last month was finally our year to tour Egypt! Marla, above, enjoys breakfast at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo on our first day.

The Grand Egyptian Museum opened in November 1, 2025, after two decades of planning and a cost of over $1 billion dollars. There are an estimated 100,000+ artifacts on display and over 20,000 for the first time ever. I’ll do a future post on the galleries showcasing over 5300 items from Tutankhamun’s tomb which were beyond incredible!

Our AHI group were very excited to enter the museum with Rafaat Khatab, our Egyptologist.

Upon entering Grand Hall visitors encounter the magnificent 37′ tall colossal statue of Ramesses II. It literally took my breath away. The 83-ton red granite statue was originally discovered in 1820 at the Temple of Ptah in Memphis and was famously moved from Ramses Square in downtown Cairo to the GEM in 2018 to preserve it from environmental damage. 

Behind the king’s legs on the lower portion of the statue, there are smaller figures of two of his children: Prince Khaemwaset and Princess Bintanath. 

Our Egyptologist was a “walking Egyptian encyclopedia”. He lectured and answered question at each stop.

The “Grand Stairs”are beautifully designed to display many fascinating artifacts. You can walk up the many steps or take a moving people-mover, shown on the right of the photo.

The granite Spinx of King Amenhat III. He was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the sixth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. He died in 1814 BC

The Grand Staircase was a visual and educational adventure. It was amazing to walk among the ancient pieces as you climb the main stairs.

I wish I could read the hieroglyphs!

In the foreground, Pharaoh Amenhotep III and his wife Queen Tiy, are seated on a throne.

The large red granite colossal on the left is King Ramesses II standing next to God Ptah and Goddess Sekhmet.

This is a massive stone capital featuring the face of goddess Hathor. She is associated with love, music and joy.

A seated scribe.

Statue of the scribe Mitri from Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, ca. 2498-2345 BC. 

An ancient wood coffin.

Many of these wood coffins featured “wedjat”eyes allowing the deceased to see the “rising sun” and to be reborn daily.

Painted limestone statue of Meryre and his wife Iniuia from the 18th Amarna Period, 1553-1336 B.C.

It was very uncommon to find “non-royals” depicted in this fashion. The detail is exceptional!

Troop models of Nubian archers from Dynasty 11.

Statues of Akhtihotep, the Director of the “wab” priest of the goddess Sekhmet. His wife on the right is unnamed. Dynasty 5, 2465-2325 BCE.

Marla and I both felt the Grand Egyptian Museum was one of the most amazing and fascinating places we have ever seen. Obviously we only were able to see a small portion of the many galleries.

A sunset view of the Nile from our hotel room.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.