Our little hotel was on the west side of the Nile, away from downtown Luxor. However we were only 10 minutes out from several temples and the burial tombs of the Pharohs called the Valley of the Kings.
Our hotel felt like a little oasis. It had a nice little pool and cozy courtyard. The owner was very obliging. The atmosphere was great but the food was expensive and sadly mediocre.
There was lots of room to sit around and read. The sun was warm and the eucalyptus trees kept the mosquitos away.
Our hotel was built to match a traditional style, the owner built it on his own. His family owns a local alabaster facility where they make vases etc...
Around the Desert Paradise Lodge was a government housing project. The families used to live in the mountains in ancient cave like dwellings, some had never had electricity before in their homes. The homes, below, are 3 room dwellings- yellow and pink. The mountains in the background are where the Pharoahs were buried, including King Tut.
Our first day went to see the Valley of the Kings ...Few of the following pictures are mine as you are forbidden to take pictures and if you are caught the fines are pretty stiff.
The tombs are caves with long walk ways deep into the mountain ... each entrance was a different tomb for a different pharoah.
The tunnels can go deep, the walls on the way down are covered in heirpglyphics. The humidity in the chambers at the base is stifling. But its worth the sweat
They are still finding new tunnels!
King Tut's Tomb
King Tut's Tomb
In BC we test reading skills 3 times a year. Every year we give theour students 3 passages to read. One of the passages is about a female pharoah named Hapshetsut.
Well, prior to the reading I had never heard of her
Well, prior to the reading I had never heard of her
But when go to Luxor her's is one of the biggest temples. There are monuments dedicated to her in many locations.
Many cool statues, everything is a god in ancient Egypt.. this is Horus (the falcon), god of the sky and of war.
These are recent dwellings of local workers just above the temple.
The rock face above the pillars was daunting, you felt that any moment something would come tumbling down...
At the end of our first day we took a water taxi across the Nile, the two kids below were our drivers and Dad navigated.
We hired a caleche driver to show us the sights of Luxor, not that I had much choice in the matter. The cabbie hounded me for three blocks as I did my best to evade him. I thought I had lost him by doubling back along the river walk way, but when I made my way back up to the road... there he was! I figured he had the home turf advantage and it was easier to just give in.
The next day was devoted to Karnak and Luxor Temples the center pieces of Luxor. Of the two Karnak was far more interesting. The columns in the temple are completely covered in heiroglyphics and are massive!!
The entrance is flank by rams with the bodies of lions .
I believe this is Thutmose I but I'm not sure.. after 3 days I was confusing my pharoahs with my Gods with my tour guide... it started to get rough.
Oblisk dedicated to Hapshetsut was knocked over in an attempt to erase the record of her reign. Her son was jealous as she stayed on the throne as a regent pharoah while he waited in the wings... A woman on the throne while a son waits to be king, this sounds oddly familiar.
The scarab statue ... if you go around it once it brings you good luck... If go around 10 times a new husband ... ?
The scarab statue ... if you go around it once it brings you good luck... If go around 10 times a new husband ... ?
There were spots where the heiroglyphics looked liked they had been carved last week. Its amazing to think that these carvings are outside and exposed to the elements and after 3500 years are still so well definded.
The columns of the Luxor temple are ment to look like papyrus stalks...
The souq in Luxor is very colorful and fun, lots of interesting products if you can handle the aggressive merchants...
The color and feel of the place was great...
We spent a day on a felucca cruising the Nile... however , no wind :(
There were lots of donkeys everywhere, very common in the streets, they seemed to mainly with children.We spent a day on a felucca cruising the Nile... however , no wind :(
This little guy had a real hard time convincing the donkey to follow him. He was actually pretty mean to the animal and it seemed to me that the donkey was having none of it!
The last temple saw was the Habu temple , which doesn't get alot of press because it's smaller and doesnt have the statues or obelisks that the others have, but the heiroglyphics here were so well defined and preserved, it made the visit worth while.
Habu Temple
Look at the depth and relief of the carving... amazing to run your hands over it.A new friend
The granite was beautiful ! !
Looking upwards under an archway..
There is literally no unmarked surfaces! Everything has a story carved on it.Girl's day out at the temple ... Love the colors!
The owner, Mohammed was the nicest Egyptian we met. He was kind fellow who was all about his patrons enjoying themselves. A wonderful man, he was fair and square... he certainly understood the western frame of mind!
The decor was early Saturday morning garage sale, but it all worked ... we were feet from the Nile and the curried lamb was delicious.
A pre-meal camel ride made for the perfect Egyptian experience
A pre-meal camel ride made for the perfect Egyptian experience
5 comments:
Barry,
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences! Merry Chritmas to you and your family.
Gym
Thanks Gym and Merry Christmas to you as well!
Hey Barry!
When I next teach my Ancient Egypt unit to my Grade 6ers I'll be sure to direct my students to your blog! What a fantastic journey you're on, I'm travelling vicariously through you. lol Merry Christmas and all the best to you in the New Year.
Love Cathy S.
Always love seeing that you have updated your BLOG......always so interesting, Barry. Merry Christmas to all of you. Hope Breanna doesn't have any trouble getting through London on her way to spend the holidays with you. All the best for 2011. Love from The Bertuzzi's.
Its great Barry thank you very much and happy new year
Slim
Post a Comment