Last time we visited Sakkara, two years ago, we did a very thorough and lengthy walk-through. Today there is a harsh wind and we decide to make it briefer. It´s however fantastic to see the place again, the Step Pyramid is as imposing and impressive as ever, you cannot but feel a certain reverence as you stand there craning your neck to look at the top.

Alas the wind brings with it rubbish which soars around the ancient buildings and flies like eager kites up to the top to circulate in a less than reverent manner. Plastic bags and various litter fly around, it´s as someone has thrown out sacks of giant confetti. The modern day debris makes a weird clash with the ancient remains. There is no hint as to where it comes from, has a waste basket been turned over or is this what normally floats around here? Our guide seems undisturbed by the sight and has no explanation when asked.

Our walk takes us once more thruogh the Heb Sed court and we examine it closer, there are some inexplicable nooks and crannies which tease your imagination but the guide has no answer. The wind is getting worse so we cross over to the large, southern court and take a look at the two horse-shoe formed foundations in its middle, which there are various theories about as to their purpose. some say that these were the markers where the King started and completed his Heb Sed run.

We find out that the Serapeum is closed this day. Otherwize we could ahve gone with a horse carriage out there. What a pity. instead the driver takes us to the area for the Pyramid of Teti but I protest as we have been there already. I want to take a lok at the double tomb of niankhKhnum & Khnumhotep and this time our guide manages to get a man who works at the area to jump into the car and show us the way to get there. It costs 25 LE extra per person but it´s worth it and we are taken there. The tomb is much smaller than what I thought when reading about it but quite interesting and for a few extra pounds we can take a few photos - without flash of course.

A little further along, after a short walk on the Processional route of Unas, we come to the tomb of Irukaptah, also called the Butcher´s Tomb as there are registers with butchering scenes for which the tomb is famous. It too was smaller than what I had imagined.

The amount of tombs and mastabas at Sakkara is way too great to cover, and most of them are not open for visitors. But there are other problems. For example, to see the tomb of Horemheb, it´s a matter of having suitable transportation. Ordinary cars can´t make it through the desert where it is located so you have to have a jeep, or rent a camel or perhaps a horse. It´s not just to take a walk there, which is a shame! On another note, new finds are being made all the time and it´s exciting to ponder what may still lie hidden there.