Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa and the Arab World with a population of 7.8 million spread over 453 sq. km.

There are over 4.5 million cars on the streets, 60% of which are over 10 years old. The city has a very poor dust dispersion capability because of an exceedingly low rainfall (24.7mm annually). Shoeshine machines are commonly found in hotel corridors. However after a few days we didn't bother using them as colour fading in our shoes could not be suppressed. Also, try picking your nose at the end of each day and you'll no doubt realise the seriousness of their air pollution.

The above picture is a panoramic view of the city looking north-east from the Ramses Hilton Hotel. The freeway in view is called Kornish Al Nile. River Nile is right behind the hotel. This city is satellite-dish crazy. Take a closer look at the near building on the right.

Cairo, Egypt (Tuesday 16 November 2010 @ 4:48pm).

ISO320 | f/8 | 1/40 sec | 17-40mm @ 39mm | Cloudy WB | raw | tripod | 10 x portrait stitch using PTGui

Tags:   Cairo Egypt cityscape panoramic panorama PTGui L Plater Canon 5D Mk II Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM Photoshop CS5 Corniche El Nile Ramses Hilton Hotel Kornish Al Nile River Nile القاهرة‎ city of dust

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Vertigo, Ramses Hilton Hotel

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I suppose their camel police are as effective as our mounted police on horses.

These tourism police are paid a pittance. They are keen for tourists to take their pictures in return for money. This guy was too busy chatting on the phone to notice he was being photographed.

Do you know the Australian outback is home to the world's largest wild camel population? Estimated population is close to 1,000,000.

The Giza Pyramids, Egypt (Wednesday 17 November 2010 @ 8:59am).

Tags:   camel police giza pyramids Egypt L Plater Canon 40D Canon EF70-200mm f/4L USM Photoshop CS5 mobilephone cell phone Canon 5D Mk II Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM

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Popular tourist camel rides.

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These two unrelated young and not-so-young egyptians make a living out of the tourism industry.
Both seem to look well fed. Locals in general look slim and dehydrated.

The Giza Pyramids, Egypt (Wednesday 17 November 2010 @ 11:28am).

Tags:   Giza Pyramids egyptians Egypt L Plater Canon 40D Canon EF70-200mm f/4L USM Photoshop CS5 portraits chubby locals

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