The new National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) is our next stop.
A new building for an existing collection includes the oldest skeleton found in Egypt (circa 35,000 years old), collections of tools, the serekh of king Ka, models, jewelry, a Senet, etc. The complete text of Sinuhe. Items found by ambassador Eduard Toda (Spanish ambassador, archaeologist, collector, also responsible for restoration of Poblet, in Catalonia). Nilos, a Roman Egyptian god. Nubian king crown. And a portrait of King Ismail, who promoted the building of the Suez Channel. The Museum also houses the collection of Royal Mummies, recently transported from the Antiquities Museum.
After the museum, our last planned activity, it's time for a riverside lunch and a free afternoon
But having the chance to explore on our own is a temptation to large to ignore, and there are a couple of places to visit less than 10 min from our hotel.
Mainly the idea is to find and visit the Egyptian Modern Art Museum. Should be around the corner from the Sheraton, just across the river, but it seems to be somewhat hidden and the small map in the Lonely Planet guide does not help much; neither another hotel concierge, who directs us straight to a taxi instead of giving us directions we asked for.
In any case, on the way there, we see the National Opera House, with the Music Library and Arts Council. Finally, after going around the block and ending up at the Opera House again and asking some people who were just leaving from a rehearsal there, we find the Egyptian Modern Art Museum. But unfortunately today it is closed to visitors, as there's a private event being held there.
On the way back, we follow the fence of the Garden of Freedom and Friendship (for which you need to buy a ticket somewhere) and find a shortcut (we were never lost, of course) across the Sofitel Hotel.
Back to the Sheraton. Last drinks at the Reception bar, and of course dinner at the Sapporo restaurant. Tomorrow we fly back to Barcelona.
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