Egypt, North Africa

Drawn by the mesmerizing allure of the Saharan sands and a deep fascination with MENA cultures and architecture, we embarked on a journey from Amsterdam to Northern Africa, setting foot in the sacred land of Egypt for an immersive visual exploration.

Bathed in the vibrant light of the African sun, we traversed the Egyptian landscape, embarking on an exhilarating road trip. Our adventure began with a warm welcome by the Red Sea where we were soon joined by Hassaan, a local guide who would become a trusted companion and, in time, a friend. Together, we journeyed toward Upper Egypt, crossing the Red Sea Mountains and the vast expanse of the Arabian Desert toward the mighty Nile River. Here, the landscape unfolded into vast plains, their surface blanketed with volcanic basalt, a testament to the region's geological history. Our curiosity was piqued as we approached Luxor—ancient Thebes—where the enduring mysteries of the ancient world seem to rise from the very earth.

The dawns were gentle and serene, ushered in by the sweet symphony of birdsong that echoed across the lush garden of the Old Winter Palace Hotel, an oasis of palm trees and blooming flowers. From there, we crossed the Nile and ventured to the vibrant desert valley of the West Bank, where we explored the archaeological wonders of the Valley of the Kings, the awe-inspiring Temple of Hatshepsut, and the monumental Medinet Habu. On the road leading to the Valley of the Kings, we visited the Stoppelaere House, a striking building designed in the 1950s by the celebrated Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy. Recently restored by the Tarek Waly Centre & Factum foundation, the house now serves as a hub for local community training and the preservation of Egypt's architectural heritage. Nearby, we also found the Howard Carter House, once the base of operations for the legendary archaeologist and his team during their groundbreaking discoveries in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

From Luxor, our journey continued to Lower Egypt, a long 11-hour drive that would eventually lead us to Cairo. As we arrived, the night sky welcomed us with the familiar constellation of Orion, and the towering Great Pyramid of Giza loomed majestically over the sprawling modern city.

Looking back on our journey, we reflect on the ever-changing colors that painted the sky, the mountains on the horizon fading into soft silhouettes as the day turned to dusk, and the countless barefoot treks across the mineral-rich desert soil.

For a fleeting moment, we became part of the ancient mystique of Egypt—a land where the ancestors, with their profound understanding of science, cosmology and sacred geometry, built architectural wonders in reverence to the divine.