Museums, like what candy stores are for kids, are a haven for my never-ending curiosities. Whenever I travel to a new country or city, I always look forward to visiting one. Imagine my astonishment when I finally stepped foot inside a museum in a country whose ancient civilization made substantial contributions to world history, literature, writing, religion, art, architecture, science, and so on.

When one mentions the word "archaeology," one is easily reminded of Egypt. It’s no wonder the classic film Indiana Jones takes place in many cities in Egypt in pursuit of priceless antiquities. Despite the countless ancient sites and relics discovered in Egypt, it is widely believed that they only represent a meager one percent, with the remaining 99% yet to be excavated.

Fortunately, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which was built in 1902, holds the world's biggest collection of Egyptian antiquities. Over 170,000 objects are kept under its dome roof, with a representative amount on exhibit.

The Egyptian Museum, the Middle East's oldest archaeological museum, houses the world's greatest collection of Pharaonic antiquities covering the Pre-Dynastic Period (5500 BC) to the Greco-Roman Period (364 AD).

“Like a Bun in the Oven”

“Where are you going in Egypt?” asks the border security personnel. “Saint Catherine and then Cairo”, I replied. “Oh Cairo, too hot there now. You’re like a bun in the oven”, the bearded officer tells me.

“Well, it’s the great Sinai Desert we’re heading to”, I thought to myself. I might as well embrace the extreme weather for the experience. Bun in the oven or not, my mind was firmly focused that time on climbing Mount Sinai and seeing the Great Pyramid of Giza.

After spending a couple of days in Saint Catherine we crossed the Suez Canal heading towards Cairo tiptoeing in the border of the African continent and finally, within a Google Map pin drop of the Pyramids.

But before we visited one of the world’s greatest wonders to which Napoleon famously pointed out to his troops "Forward! Remember that from these monuments yonder 40 centuries look down upon you", we set out on a bit of a city tour that included a fancy dinner aboard a boat cruising down the River Nile.

Oh, plus a visit to the Egyptian Museum.

A House that Unveils the Mysteries of Ancient Egypt

Located on the northern side of the also historic Tahrir Square, which was the setting for numerous demonstrations preceding the Arab Spring, lies the Egyptian Museum. Designed by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon, the enormous dome-shaped structure has a distinctive pinkish hue. Within, you will find the shimmering artifacts of ancient Egyptian society's nobility, including the golden funeral mask of Tutankhamun and other famous pharaohs, as well as tombs, merchandises, mummies, jewelries, cookware, and a myriad of personal effects.

Seconds from entering my gaze immediately darted from one artifact to another. Our guide tells us, “You can spend a whole day here or maybe two and still, you would not cover everything”.

He isn’t exaggerating. If someone ask for a volunteer to relive the plot of the movie “Night at the Museum”, I’d gladly raise my hand. Since we only have three to four hours tops inside, I made sure to listen to our guide and absorb as much information as I could.

As we made our way around the museum, I couldn't help but be amazed by the sheer magnitude of the collection. Imagine trying to grasp the entirety of Egypt's past—a thousand years and counting—all within arm’s reach.

Apart from the golden burial mask, I was entirely captivated by the many masterpieces housed inside the museum. Trying to recall the ones on top of my head are the ancient papyrus that contained the Book of the Dead for the Priest of Bastet and Djoser, the diminutive statue of Cheops (Khufu), the great Pyramid builder, the statues of numerous pharaohs, especially the one of Ramses, the intriguing engraved images on limestone relief, one particular display that is a sarcophagus shaped like a mummy, and, of course, the numerous mummies displayed in a glass case.

“If only we have more time”, I thought to myself as we exited the museum. As I begin to psych myself up and calm my nerves as the thought of where we’re heading next, the Great Pyramids of Giza, I took one last look at the facade of the Egyptian Museum. The building itself is an interesting fusion of Italian Renaissance, Greco-Roman elements, and 19th-century French Beaux-Arts. Muttering wishful thoughts to myself, I make a pledge of going back Egypt for a longer time, and hopefully, I become more of an Indiana Jones than an average tourist.

"Forward! Remember that from these monuments yonder 40 centuries look down upon you", Napoleon Bonaparte declared to his troops as they gear up for the Battle of the Pyramids on July 1798. Indeed, the history of the great pyramids dates back to one of Earth's ancient civilizations. This fact made my experience of being there feel more surreal in real life. I recall staring at the pyramids with wide eyes while standing immobile, engrossed in a spectacular now kind of moment. There is no better way to cap our Holy Land trip than a chance to see the Great Pyramid of Giza up close.

I'll have to go back to my youth to find out when my fascination with the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt began. It was probably our geography class's display of images of landmarks throughout the world that captivated me and turned my wanderlust switch on. It was also during this time that I learned about the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India and Petra in Jordan.

The pyramids stood out from the rest because they were built by some of the oldest civilizations known to man. Even as a child, I was fascinated by how humans constructed the pyramids. *cue for Alien theories*

There’s no better way to bookend the best travel writing assignment I’ve had so far, than a trip to Cairo to see the pyramids up close. We were still inside our bus when I caught sight of the three pyramids. The hairs on my arms stood up instantly, and a rush of excitement surged through my body. can't believe I'm finally getting closer to seeing these incredible landmarks of the planet.

As soon as we got out of our bus and bought our tickets, I separated from our group and just made a mad dash to the pyramids. Appearing bigger as I come closer. My eyes was drawn to the large slobs of stones stacked on top of each other. Glistening in the sun's rays, I see sparkle from every direction. A dreamlike moment has just become real.

Also known as the Giza Necropolis, the Giza Pyramid complex is where the Great Pyramid of Giza stands along with two other smaller pyramids: The Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The Giza, aside from the biggest, is also the oldest being constructed between 2580-2560 BC. It remains as the only surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

As if sensing my jubilation, our guide asked me to do a jump shot in front of the pyramids. Not wanting to take much of his time, I jumped four or five times and to his credit, he captured me in fine form mid-air.

That photo—which garnered 800 plus likes on my Facebook—is framed and displayed inside my room. It now serves as a lasting reminder of that great moment when I accomplished a lifelong dream of seeing the Giza Pyramids.

We spent at least an hour just walking around the complex. While some from my group ventured out to find a shade to rest, I regaled at the sweltering shower of the sun by remaining closer to the pyramids. I figured, I’d spent almost a lifetime waiting for this chance, so I may as well milk every second of it by being near as possible to these monuments that “look down upon me”.

As I saw our guide from afar mentioning for us to board our bus, I ran back to the outer walls. I rub my hands on some of the stones as if trying to imprint some of the history of the Pyramid of Giza on myself. I also realized that it was the fitting thing to do, as if stamping my journey that began when I was touching the glossy pages of travel magazines to finally seeing and even feeling the pyramids with my bare hands.

When one mentions the “Holy Land”, the first thing that comes to mind for most Christians is the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, which is ten kilometers from Jerusalem. While in fact, this is true, the scope of the usual holy land journey encompasses three countries: Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. This route includes stops at a few historic locations in addition to following the footsteps of Christ, Moses, John the Baptist, and Mother Mary. Here are a few locations to inspire you to travel to the holy land.

Mount Nebo

After arriving in the capital city of Amman for a day of sightseeing, our Holy Land itinerary began at Mount Nebo, a 2,330-foot-high plateau mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the spot where Moses saw the Promised Land (Israel). No hiking is required at this destination as the road leading here is already elevated.

You will travel through the village of Madaba, which is home to the Byzantine church of Saint George, on your route down Mount Nebo. Inside, you will find the 6th-century Madaba Mosaic Map seen on the floor of the church. This map is the oldest remaining cartographic depiction of the holy land.

Wadi Rum

It is described as "vast, echoing, and God-like" by Lawrence of Arabia. Wadi Rum summons an unearthly setting of another planet.

It's no wonder that "The Martian" was filmed here. One stares in awe at the vast, breathtaking terrain of Wadi Rum, which is dotted with camel footprints and filled with carved canyons and dunes of fine sand. Indeed, one easily describes it as the most “quintessential desert” on Earth.

Petra

Poet John William Burgon described the remains of the Lost City of Petra as "a rose-red city half as ancient as time." Founded in 312 BC by the Arab Nabataeans, the remains of the city showcase the wonderful engineering skills of the Nabataeans.

Structures carved from massive walls surround this ancient city. The path leading to the “Treasury” —Petra’s iconic structure—is a narrow path hewed between gigantic golden boulders, called the “Siq”, which is another attraction to behold.

Mount Sinai

Crossing the border from Israel to Egypt takes you to the Sinai Peninsula where the biblical mountain Mount Sinai towers over a picturesque mountainous region. A three-hour hike with the Bedouin guides starting at 3 am will have you standing at the top by sunrise.

Make sure to savor the moment on top as this could be the very place where “Christian life, piety and worship” was founded when God handed to Moses the Ten Commandments on this mountain. Near the foot of the mountain is the Saint Catherine’s Monastery where the biblical burning bush is believed to be located.

Pyramids of Giza

Despite having no relation to the holy land tour, the Pyramid of Giza is an absolutely perfect side trip because of its historic significance and for the simple reason that it is one of the wonders of the world.

Before you fly out from Cairo, make sure you get to visit the majestic Giza pyramids and the Sphinx up close. A dinner cruise along the Nile River will round up the evening.

The Dead Sea

Float your worries away as you literally—float over the water with a salinity of 342 g/kg, making the Dead Sea as one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Because of its high salinity, no living animal or plants exist in this sea-thus the name Dead Sea.

One thing for sure, you can float here effortlessly. On the way, you can also pass by the city of Jericho—the lowest city in the world at 274.02 meters below sea level.

The Wailing Wall

The Western Wall or most popularly known as the ‘Wailing Wall’, is the holiest place of prayer of the Jews. The first seven layers made from meleke limestone, dates back to the reign of Herod the Great, making it the same set of stones Jesus laid eyes on during his time.

Known today as a place of prayer, it was termed ‘Wailing Wall’ because of the practice of Jews gathering near this part of Old Jerusalem’s wall to weep over the destructions of their temples, during the Byzantine Empire.

City of Nazareth

Known as the “Arab capital of Israel”, Nazareth is described in the New Testament as the hometown of Mary and where Jesus Christ spent his childhood.

Here, you will visit the Church of the Annunciation—where the angel Gabriel told Mary that she will give birth to the son of God and whom she’ll name as “Yehoshua“. Near Nazareth situates Mount Tabor where you will also visit the Church of Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ located at the mountain’s peak.

Tower of Cana

In the town of Cana, you will visit the Church of the Wedding Feast in Cana. This church symbolizes the first miracle attributed to Jesus Christ: the Wedding at Cana. This is when he transformed water into wine.

A short distance from here is the Mount of Beatitudes where you may follow Christ's footsteps to the spot where he "preached the sermon on the mount."

Sea of Galilee

After a day of church hopping, you will enjoy some splendid nature on a morning cruise over the waters of the Sea of Galilee. According to the New Testament, this is where Jesus performed the miracle of walking on water.

Other miracles Jesus performed in the Sea of Galilee include the miraculous catch of fish and the calming of the storm. Afterward, a brief side trip to the ancient town of Capernaum takes you to the ruins of the House of Peter and the Synagogue of Jesus. You end this beautiful day with a renewal of baptismal vows at the nearby Jordan River.

Caesarea Archeological Park

The aqueduct ruins of Caesarea is an ancient city founded by Herod the Great in 25 BCE. It flourished as a major port city during the height of the Roman Empire. After Herod’s death, it started to witness a tumultuous period before seeing a rebirth during the Byzantine period.

In the Middle Ages, the city of Caesarea was conquered by Muslim invaders and became under the Rashidun Caliphate until the Crusaders liberated the city in the 11th century. Today, a great deal of ruins still stands over the old site of the ancient city of Caesarea – adjacent to the modern town inhabited by more than 4,000 people.

Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel is located in the city of Haifa and offers a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea.

This is the location of the Cave of Elijah and the Carmel Church, where the prophet Elijah prayed for rain to end a three-and-a-half-year famine. The Baha'i Hanging Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is close by.

Bethlehem

Saving the best two destinations for last are the places where Jesus Christ was born and died on the cross. In Bethlehem—which according to the bible is where Christ was born, you can even get close to the holy spot where Jesus was born inside the Church of Nativity.

Other holy destinations in Bethlehem includes the Shepherds Field, Mount Olives–the place where Jesus recited Christ’s prayer to his 12 disciples, the Church of Pater Noster, the Dominus Flevit Church–all churches with biblical importance, and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before he was betrayed by Judas and arrested.

Old City of Jerusalem

The apex of any holy land tour is, of course, the retracing of the “Via Dolorosa” or Jesus’ “Way of the Cross” inside the old city of Jerusalem.

Your group will start at the gates of Antonia Fortress following the 14 Stations of the Cross ending inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where Christendom’s most sacred place is housed: the spot of Jesus Christ’s burial and resurrection. Expect to attain a different kind of spiritual feeling throughout this part of your journey. Walking the Via Dolorosa will remain with you forever.

Egypt was the last of the triumvirate of nations which consist the Holy Land tour I joined. After kicking off our trip in Jordan and spending almost a week in Israel, the last leg of our journey took us to the land of the Pharaohs and Cleopatra. Along the way we passed by endless stretch of deserted valleys and mountains until the azure waters of the Red Sea signaled the approaching border crossing to Egypt. It was here where we followed the trail of Moses and the Holy Family when they fled Israel after King Herod Antipas issued a marching order to execute all infants in Israel.

Our first stop was Saint Catherine where we settled for the night, but not before, in the afternoon, visiting Saint Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest Christian monasteries where the biblical "burning bush" is also located.

Mount Sinai

Following the advice of our guides, we started our trek just after the stroke of midnight. Accompanied by the Bedouins – a nomadic group of Arab people inhabiting the vast desert regions of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, we persevered for five hours until we reached the peak of Sinai. The otherworldly landscape and spectacular sunrise took a backseat to the magical feeling of summiting what many believe is the biblical Mount Sinai-the sacred place where God handed the 10 commandments to Moses, thus laying the foundation of what would become "Christian life, piety and worship"

Feels like F-I-R-E-I-N Cairo

After our 10 commandments pilgrimage we crossed an underwater tunnel bridging the Suez Canal and into the African continent part of Egypt and into the city of Cairo where also, a mighty river flows. Awaking to a scorching day where the pavements felt like the inside of an oven, our group spent our day immersing at the extensive collection of ancient relics housed inside the Egyptian Museum. From the Gold Mask of Tutankhamun to numerous statues of Egypt's earliest rulers to the hair-raising mummified corpses inside the Royal Mummies Hall, the museum is truly a must for history junkies.

The River Nile

Our second night in Cairo provided a moment leafed from the pages of history books I read back in grade school, as our group dined aboard a yacht that sailed off the waters of the River Nile. Regarded as the longest river in the world with a total length of 6,853 kilometers, the River Nile slashes through 11 African countries draining at the Mediterranean Sea in Cairo all the way from one of its main water source-Lake Victoria in Uganda. Greek historian Herodotus once wrote that Egypt was a "gift of the Nile" because of the important role the river played through many Egyptian civilizations dating back to the Stone Age.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

"Forward! Remember that from these monuments yonder 40 centuries look down upon you", Napoleon Bonaparte declared to his troops as they geared for the Battle of the Pyramids in July 1798. Indeed, the history of the great pyramids goes back to some of the earliest civilizations on Earth. This very fact made my experience of being there felt more surreal in real life. I remembered looking at the pyramids with a wide eye fascination and standing still being lost in a spectacular-now kind of moment. There is no better way to cap our Holy Land trip than a chance to see the Great Pyramid of Giza up close.