Goat herder at the Great Pyramid, Cairo, Egypt. July 4, 1987

Took an early bus with Martin from the youth hostel to the pyramids. They only became visible behind buildings until we were almost upon them. We were the first tourists there & it felt slightly surreal to finally be wandering around such a famous destination. Managed to capture this shot of a young goat herder as his flock came running around the Great Pyramid.

We decided to take a cheap camel ride from Cheops down to the Sphinx. The rider – pictured here – took photos of us awkwardly astride the second camel. He got quite stroppy when we wouldn’t pay more, but all part of his shtick no doubt. The Sphinx was falling apart and being restored at the same time – but still impressive.

Waited until 9am to buy a ticket to the burial chamber for the Great Pyramid. A tricky, steep climb to reach the King’s tomb. A dark, oppressively hot place with the remains of a sarcophagus in one corner. The more contemporary WWI and WWII graffiti etched into the walls had more impact on me.

Outside the first tourists were descending in droves in bright, hot conditions and loads of camel and horse riders were hassling for business. Time to leave, for now, but I was hatching a plan to return and climb one of the pyramids…