"It's not about perfect. It's about effort, and when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens..."
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| (Tools for navigation ang geographic orientation) |
I've stood before monuments carved by hand thousand years ago, walked along walls that disappear over distant mountains, and wandered through archaeological sites where history survives only in scattered stones and imagination. Some wonders captivated me instantly. Others took time to reveal themselves. These are the ones that left the deepest impression on me.
1. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt (1998 & 2010)
The first time we visited Egypt was on a family holiday in November 1998. During our visit to the Pyramids of Giza, our tour included a descent into the burial chamber hidden deep within one of the ancient pyramids.1. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt (1998 & 2010)
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| (The Sphinx - the largest monolithic statue - 2010) |
It was an unforgettable experience - raw, physically demanding, and unlike anything we had done before. We navigated narrow, steep, and poorly ventilated passageways. At several points, we had to crouch, and even crawl, through confined spaces along a sharp incline. I have great admiration for my elderly father, who kept up with us all the way with remarkable agility and determination.
Deep inside the pyramid, the air was hot, heavy, and stifling due to the lack of ventilation. It was reassuring to spot a few narrow air shafts running along the walls, although they offered little relief. When we finally reached the burial chamber, we were rather disappointed. It was completely bare - no mummies, no treasures, no colourful hieroglyphics - only an empty stone sarcophagus. We did not linger for long. The children enjoyed taking a few photographs, but the cramped enclosure soon triggered a sense of claustrophobia and panic. The thought of retracing the same long, narrow tunnel back to the surface was far from comforting.
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| (A family photo at the Pyramids of Giza - 1998) |
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| (Not for the claustrophobics) |
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| (An achievement to reach the crypt) |
On our final day in Cairo, we took a leisurely walk from our hotel to the Pyramids of Giza. Standing beside the Great Pyramid once again, twelve years after my first visit, and gazing at a monument that has stood for more than 4,500 years, played tricks on my sense of time. Its sheer scale and presence remain as awe-inspiring as ever. And this time, I almost got caught trying to climb the pyramid in search of the perfect photograph!
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| {The Majestic and ancient Pyramid) |
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| (Pyramid climbing is strictly prohibited) |
I feel incredibly fortunate to have visited the Great Pyramid of Giza twice. It is the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, standing as a timeless testament to human ingenuity and endurance, and it continues to hold its place as an honorary wonder of the world.
2. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt (1998)
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| (The boys at the site of the Old Lighthouse ruins) |
Built on the island of Pharos, the lighthouse guided sailors safely into Alexandria's harbour for more than 1,500 years. One of the tallest structures of the ancient world, it stood as a remarkable feat of engineering until a series of devastating earthquakes gradually reduced it to ruins. When we visited, there was nothing visible above the surface - only the calm waters of the Mediterranean and our imagination. Yet, standing there, it was easy to sense the weight of history and picture the magnificent beacon that had once dominated the skyline.
Centuries later, archaeologists recovered massive stone blocks from the Mediterranean seabed, believed to be remnants of the ancient lighthouse. These discoveries have sparked an ambitious digital reconstruction project, offering the world a glimpse of what this lost wonder may once have looked like.
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| (The Cornish, Alexandria - 1998) |
3. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Iraq (2023)
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(Ishtar Gate - The main entrance to the city of Babylon) |
Travelling with a bus-load of tourists, we explored the country's remarkable historical treasures, visiting Baghdad, Karbala, Kufa, Najaf, and Basra. Despite its turbulent modern history, Iraq revealed itself to be a beautiful land with an extraordinary heritage stretching back thousands of years.
One of the highlights of our itinerary was a visit to the Ancient City of Babylon - a city both admired and feared throughout history. It was here that the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon was believed to have stood, captivating generations with its tales of lush terraces rising above the desert. Located along the lower Euphrates River, about 80 kilometres south of Baghdad, the ancient city covers an immense archaeological site, with more than 70 percent still lying beneath the earth, waiting to be excavated.
We wandered through the sprawling ruins before making our way to the spot where the Hanging Gardens were supposedly located. Following a weathered, dilapidated sign, we walked along a long, dusty path, eager to stand where one of history's greatest wonders may once have flourished. But there was nothing. No unmistakable archaeological remains. No terraced gardens. No ancient walls draped in greenery. Only an empty site and lingering questions. Some historians even suggest that the Hanging Gardens never existed at Babylon at all, proposing that the wonder may have been a legend - or perhaps located elsewhere.
Like the Lighthouse of Alexandria, this was another Wonder of the Ancient World that left us searching more for imagination than for ruins. Yet perhaps that is part of its enduring magic. Some wonders are remembered not because they survived, but because their mystery has outlived the centuries.
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| (Over 70% of Babylon is unexcavated) |
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| (The Lion of Babylon, a national symbol of Iraq) |
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| (Saddam’s Palace overlooking the ancient ruins) |
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| (The remains of the Temple of Artemis) |
After disembarking at Kuşadası Port, we continued by coach through western Türkiye, visiting several fascinating cities and many of the region's renowned historical sites on our way to Istanbul. One of the highlights was the ancient city of Ephesus, where we visited the Seven Churches of Asia, the Basilica of Saint John, and the legendary Temple of Artemis.
Built to honour the Greek goddess Artemis, the Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Once an immense and magnificent sanctuary admired throughout the ancient world, it has not withstood the passage of time. When we visited the site, little remained beyond its foundations and a single reconstructed column standing quietly as a poignant reminder of its former grandeur.
Standing amidst those sparse ruins, it took a vivid imagination to picture the colossal temple that once inspired awe in travellers from across the ancient world. Yet even in its near-vanished state, the site carries a quiet sense of history, reminding us that even the greatest human achievements are ultimately vulnerable to the passage of time.
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| (The Library of Celsus in Ephesus ancient city) |
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| (One of the great outdoor museums) |
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| (A Temple built on a terrace) |
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| (Reconstruction of ancient Corinthian pillars) |
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| (Ruins Temple of Hadrian) |
Some wonders survive almost intact. Others exist only as ruins, foundations, or even educated guesses. Yet each one tells a story about what human beings were capable of achieving in their own time. Unlike the Great Pyramid of Giza, other ancient wonders I have visited, no longer stand. Yet somehow, their absence made the experience even more poignant. Sometimes, history is felt most deeply not through what remains, but through what has been lost.
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