07 Jul 2019
This was a really nice way to see the city of Alexandria. We booked this tour at the last second through Trip Advisor. The tour company was willing to accommodate our request, and even had our driver take us directly to the airport.
Our tour guide, Mohammad, or “Mu,” was also very knowledgeable and took great care of us. We started our day at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, did a quick stop to see the Pompey Pillar (our guide didn’t want us to pay admission because he knew a spot where we could clearly see the pillar), and then we saw the fortress for Qaitbay. Just as we were leaving the citadel, our guide was approached by two men who obviously wanted our business. We continued our walk to the car and the men followed and tried to negotiate. Just as we got into the car and were about to drive away, Mu told us he made a really great deal with the men which would allow us to ride a boat on the Mediterranean Sea. I was a bit nervous and asked if he had ever done this, or worked with these men before. Mu said no, but assured me that nothing bad would happen because he would come with us. So we went and enjoyed a nice, short boat ride in a small wooden row boat. After our visit to the citadel, we enjoyed an amazing seafood lunch at a restaurant close by. Then, it was a quick visit to the Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, followed by a photo opp at the Biblioteca Alexandria, topped off with a visit to a museum.