Luxor

The first evening in Luxor was a quiet one – Dave and I were still a bit up and down with our stomachs ever since we came out of the Western Desert so we skipped dinner and went to bed. The next morning saw us up bright and early for a hot balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor. This was awesome and a really beautiful view over the area, with a great contrast between the green of the Nile Valley and the golden desert. We left from just in front of Hatshepsut Temple and floated over the Ramesseum, the Colossi of Memnon and Medinet Habu before landing smoothly in a local field. We then met up with the rest of our group (those that didn’t do the ballooning) at the Colossi of Memnon and headed off to the Valley of the Kings. We visited 3 tombs – Tutmosis III, Septah and Ramses III. The first one was in 2 levels and just painted rather than carved, which was quite unusual. It was ridiculously hot and stuffy and very short on air! Septah and Ramses III were much larger and beautifully carved and painted, with Tutmosis III and Septah having beautiful granite sarcophagi. We then headed to Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple, which was quite interesting but extremely busy, like the Valley of the Kings. Was very hot by now also! We then stopped at an Alabaster (calcite in Egypt rather than gypsum) gallery and bought a carved vase. Was very interesting to see how they carve the stone and also to hear them doing their sales pitch and explain how superior their products were compared to those in the market. Interesting enough though, much of their stuff was fake and using resin instead of stone (particularly the supposedly granite pieces)! We then visited the Valley of the Queens and visited 3 tombs there also, though unfortunately the tomb of Queen Nefertari was closed for restoration.

 Hot Air Ballooning, Luxor

View towards the Valley of the Queens, Luxor

Queen Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple

That evening we visited the Temple of Luxor under lights which was really wonderful. Added a really nice difference to the many temples we’ve seen and was much bigger to explore around than it looks from the outside. Later that evening we also had a cultural show at our accomodation including a belly dancer, whirling dervish (who was really good!), and a snake charmer. The next morning we visited the Temple of Karnak and then left for Hurghada and the Red Sea.

 Luxor Temple

 

 Luxor Temple

Whirling Dervish

Kate in the Hypostyle Hall, Karnak

 Temple of Karnak