Alexandria March 14

Along with the library on March 14 we went to King Faruk's castle. He died in 1952 shortly after Egypt got it formal independence from the UK. The castle does not look like a castle in the mid evil sense of the word or a castle that would expect to see in the British Isles. It is quite handsome and the grounds are stunning. I'm sure they would be even better in the summer or at least when the weather is a little warmer. This building is still used by the current president of Egypt Mohamed Hosni Mubarak as a retreat house similar to the US President's Camp David. There is a quite extensive park around the castle and castle grounds that I would assume is closed when Mubarak is in residence.

The Castle is right on the White Sea (Mediterranean Sea for non-Egyptians). The sea was angry this day, not too angry though. It was quite cool 55 F with a north wind blowing off the sea. The wind was very wicked. Once you get chilled on a windy, overcast day you stay chilled until you get into some heated shelter.

I was also struck with the Mummy's Revenge the afternoon of the 14th and through the next day which made the sight seeing and traveling difficult at best. But I did not let is stop our journey.