Luxor

After a relaxing afternoon around the pool and cruising down the Nile we docked in Luxor which is our last port.  We left the ship for a brief bus ride around 5ish to the Temple of Luxor. Mohamed, our ever patient guide, tells us wonderful stories about the temples and the kings etc but by now my brain has absorbed as much as it can as you feel totally overwhelmed by the sheer size and splendour of the ruins.  Back to the ship for dinner and preparation for a big day at the Valley of the Kings.

Cruising down the Nile

Temple of Luxor

Up early and depart for the Valley of the Kings.  Unfortunately you are not allowed cameras in the valley or tombs but did buy a book with photos.  There are 62 tombs excavated (with they suspect still 4 to be recovered) dating from 1575 to1090BC. The Tombs replaced the Pyramids as the Kings wanted to protect their burial chambers from looters and the Pyramids had proven to be easily robbed.  Unfortunately the Tombs have also been robbed but the most famous of Tutankhamon has his treasures and mummy in the Cairo museum.

Going into the Valley of the Kings

Only a number of tombs are open at one time and on our visit we went thru Ramses I, who died within 2 years of being on the throne so had an unfinished tomb with just the burial chamber decorated. Ramses III who had the longest burial chamber and Ramses IX who has the best preserved tomb.  This is the first time we have seen whole walls of hieroglyphics and carvings with their colouring still showing.,  Absolutely spectacular!  I’m finding the hieroglyphics to be quite addictive and feel quiet pleased with myself when I’m recognizing different symbols and gods.

We left the Valley of the Kings for the Queen Hatshepsut Temple.  Again this was something completely different with a 3 level temple carved into a rock-face.  It was just about destroyed by her successor as she was not considered to be a true Queen as she was ruling on behalf of her 7yr old stepson and obviously he didn’t like her because she refused to hand over the throne when he became old enough to rule.  The Temple construction has been partly restored but there is only one mural left of the story of trading with Somalia.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple

After this visit we were really feeling the heat but ½ hr bus ride revived us enough to visit the Temples of Karnak on the East Bank.

Wow, this was the biggest complex we had come across having been built and extended by 8 Kings. This was the first time we had seen the ram-headed god statues lining the walkways.   A huge complex that they are painstakingly restoring and just mind-blowing for its architectural and artistic beauty.

Temple of Karnak

Temple of Karnak

Middle of the day and absolutely dripping with sweat we called it a day and headed back to the boat.  All other passengers have disembarked and we are on our own until the new lot appear this arvo.  Took the opportunity to have the pool all to ourselves followed by a leisurely lunch and Alan is off having a massage while I update the Blog.

Very quite evening on the boat as there are only 3 of us left and not all the return leg passengers on board yet.  This ship holds 120 and we had less than 60 on our leg and the return journey will only have 21 on board. 

We have thoroughly enjoyed the cruise but have to go pack for the next leg.