Let me tell ya…I had serious reservations about going to the Giza zoo because of mixed reviews. This zoo was built during the heyday of Victorian zooilogical parks and has the typical ornate cages and small enclosures of the time.
The good news…………………the only animals left in the zoo are under the watchful eye of international zoo associations because of serious violations by the employees. This is a very large zoo with only about a dozen species left from the hundreds it used to harbor at the turn of the century. As you can see the cats and gar bage have taken over this beautiful facility. I just made us sick!! Again, the few animals left are in very good health surprisingly.
CLICK HERE to read about the issues that temporarily closed down the Giza Zoo not long ago.
It wasn’t all bad though…I was just so disappointed to see the deterioration of such an artistic facility with elaboratly decorated buildings and enclosures and the hand laid stone mosaic walkways falling to pieces!!
I have a feeling this breeding center has not been in use for some time
Bling was pretty depressed!!! Steve bought her a present (below) to help her forget how her friends were treated at the zoo.
A remnant of the Victorian Grandeur which once graced the animal park
Another stunning pergola just falling to pieces
We tried out best to see the “up” side…….the architecture and details were amazing reminders of a zoo with a glorious past. Maybe not the kind of park we prefer to see today with huge spaces for the animals, but int it’s day, the Giza Zoo was a premier showcase of thousands of species
More handlaid mosaic sidewalks. This one was at the front of the zoo and restored somewhat
Garbage was EVERYWHERE….this photo was nothing compared to most of the areas
Ok…enuf of that depressing place!! After the zoo we hailed a taxi to take us to the Gayer Anderson Museum which was a real treat . Click Museum name to find out much more. We were escorted through the 22 rooms of the first house privately and told about all the antiques in the private collections in each room.
Everything from Mummies to pressed flower/butterfly paintings from the Victorian Era. What a place!!!! The rooftop where you see Steve and I standing is the backdrop for a scene in James Bond’s “The Spy Who Loved Me”
A view off that rooftop
Bling was getting antsy to go shopping so first stop was at the Bazaar Oasis to buy Bling a friend…A little stuffed camel with crooked eyes and legs who Bling named “Humphrey” Here they are sitting in the executive lounge just chillin and getting to know one another. This promises to be a fantastic friendship and Mini B loves Humphrey too!!
We bought spices galore
We have been seeing tons of bikes on teh roads like this transporting all sorts of things from bread to newspapers
Shoes shoes shoes!!!
I found tons of bead vendors today…most of them are bellydance costumers
This shop specializes in Belly Dance costumes and unusual beads. We were so darned hot by 11;00 we had to leave unfortunately. I was getting dehydrated and not a drop of liquid to purchase for miles!! I don’t understand how the women all in black with slits for their eyes do it!!! I swear they are wearing portable air conditioners under their clothing. I am in awe of their heat tolerance!!
WE HEAD FOR TURKEY TOMORROW!! DONT’ FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE NEW AUDIOBOO TOO!!
Thank you all tons for the comments !! I read eac and every one and wish I had the computer time to answer each comment directly right now. We are heading out for supper so I’ll try to work on comments later tonite!!
