The Many Temples of Luxor

The morning started out very early with a 4am wakeup call because we were suppose to have a balloon ride over the ancient ruins of Luxor. However, there was too much wind so it was cancelled at around 7am. From 4 to 7:30am we had the pleasure of waiting for a little mini bus, picking up others, then a little boat ride across the Nile which was entertaining in itself. The boat driver was trying to start his Suzuki boat engine repeatedly with a recoil pull start, each time shoving his butt right into Paul’s face almost knocking Paul’s hot coffee out of hands and potentially right in my lap. Finally after 10 pulls we are off across the river.

Visited many temples this day. First the Hatshepsut (or as the guide calls it - chicken soup) Temple, then the Valley of the Kings with its 63 tombs for the pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom from the 16th to the 11th century BC. We went into the tombs of Merenptah, Rameses III and the IX, and King Amenmesse and saw very detailed and well preserved hieroglyphics. All this was carved in hard limestone rock in a large dry and rocky valley with no vegetation. This is also where they found the tomb of King Tut (Tutankhamun) in the 1920’s. Excavation continues today, so they will no doubt find more tombs.

The day continued with several temple visits. It really was too much for one day as we had Luxor Temple added from the day prior because our cruise coming into port too late.

Also visited the Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple.

My name in hieroglyphics

Hatshepsut Temple

Valley of the Kings tombs

Luxor Temple and the New Avenue of Sphinxes

Karnak Temple