The I arrived in Alexandria with little sleep, no plans, and no reservations. The first order of business was to find a hotel and/or a place to put my heavy backpack for the day. The first hotel I tried was full, and after trying to look for luggage lockers at the train station (I failed), I was successful at a second hotel. It cost me about 10 pounds ($1.30) extra, but they gave me a room immediately instead of making me wait until the afternoon. The two-hour nap was worth far more than the price increase.
In the afternoon I visited the Alexandria National Museum, which covers the city’s history since its founding by Alexander the Great. It had an excellent collection of artefacts, even if the coins were grossly misidentified. From there I went up to the Bibliotheca Alexadrina, a modern library built in honour of the ancient Great Library that stood nearby. After passing two guards with submachine guns at the entrance, I was inside the main reading room.
The interior is shaped like a cylinder, with each level jutting outward from a downward slope. The skylights above provide abundant natural light.
I always considered the my journey to “officially” begin with my feet in the Mediterranean and end with my feet in the Atlantic at Cape Town. Before retiring for the night, I had to get my feet into the harbour.
This morning (May 8) was my last in Alexadria. I made the 25 minute walk to the Qaitbay Fortress, which was constructed by the Mamelukes atop the foundations of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The fortress provided beautiful panoramic views of the city.
Tourists were essentially given free rein over the fort. I walked atop the walls, jumped over gaps in the walkways, and explored the underground defendes. There are no railings to protect unwary tourists from 10-20 foot falls.
Any Ottoman fortress naturally includes a mosque for the troops. This one had an elaborately tiled floor, which has been restored.
I later made the long walk to the so-called Pompey’s Pillar, named for the erroneous belief that it contained the ashes of the Roman general who opposed Caesar. It was actually erected during the reign of Diocletian. This ancient monument stands against the modern skyline of the city.
After a day and a half in Alexandria, I’ve boarded my train to Cairo and am now speeding across the Nile Delta, finally on my way southwards.
