THE drive from the Cairo International Airport to our hotel lacked excitement, but the anticipation of fresh attire after more than 20 hours on board the flight kept us awake.
At almost 4am, we finally settled into our quad-sharing suite. As my sisters unpacked their luggage, I did what I like to do whenever I get into a hotel room: draw the curtains and check out the surrounding view.
Lo and behold, the window next to my bed had a view of a brightly lit, huge building that looked like a Hindu temple, with a beautiful garden surrounding it.
The early-morning sky had a full moon, adding to the dramatic sight. And just like that, I knew the first leg of my 13-day Egypt-Saudi Arabia trip would be an enlightening experience.
Though it was a short four-day tour, considering the sheer size of the Egyptian capital and its massive collection of tourist attractions, the excursion had enough of Cairo's charms to make me want to come back for more.
Of course, a trip to Cairo wouldn't be complete without coming face to face with the great pyramids.
We had almost a full day at Giza Pyramid Complex, which is located 30km away. However, thanks to Cairo's notorious traffic congestion, which is ranked ninth globally, worse than Bangkok and Jakarta that I am familiar with, the bus drive took slightly over an hour to reach the complex.
Iconic pyramids
That, however, was enough to build anticipation for us to see the iconic pyramids that stand tall against the backdrop of the desert sky.
As we explored the complex's sandy and rocky ground, marvelling at the architectural marvels, I replayed the stories of Prophet Moses enthusiastically told by one of our two guides, a PhD student from the world-famous University of Al-Azhar.
We applauded our tour company for engaging two Malay-speaking guides, who knew how to interrelate Islamic values and teachings with Egypt's rich history and heritage.
From the remnants of pharaohs, our Cairo adventure took us to the imposing Cairo Citadel. Also known as the Citadel of Saladin, it sits on top of Mokattam Hills, whose boulders were used to build the pyramids.
Built by Egypt's first sultan, Salah ad-Din, in 1176, the citadel, which is a Unesco Heritage Site, has a stark similarity to Istanbul's beautiful Blue Mosque, except that it has its dome in shimmering pearly white.
The Al-Azhar Mosque
Stepping out into the bustling streets of Cairo, we made our way to the Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the oldest and most important mosques in Egypt and the Arab world.
Built in 972 AD, the mosque is considered a source of enlightenment and the largest religious institution in the Islamic world.
We were lucky to pray in congregation with the locals, as well as other foreign visitors.
Amid its labyrinthine corridors and ornate courtyards, I discovered a world where faith and knowledge intersect, leaving me in awe of the timeless wisdom contained within these sacred walls.
Our city tour ended with a walk in the nearby Khan Al Khalili Bazaar, a historic grand bazaar that was established in the 14th century.
Amid its maze of alleyways and bustling market stalls, I found myself lost in a world of colour and culture, each trinket and treasure telling a story of its own.
I must say that this was where I got the taste of Cairo's sights, sounds and smells while giving me a journey back in time.
Discovering Egyptian civilisation
On our last day in Cairo, the tour squeezed in one last itinerary before taking us to the airport for our second leg of the trip. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation was probably the most modern attraction we visited throughout our Cairo visit.
Officially inaugurated only three years ago, the vast museum that spans 490,000 sq m is home to 22 mummies, which include 18 kings and four queens, and a collection of 50,000 artifacts that represent the Egyptian civilisation from prehistoric times to the present day.
The visit to this museum summed up all the tales, histories, and stories we heard and saw throughout the four days spent in Cairo.
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