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Around the World 2010
Expedition Daily Journal

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Thomson Airlines Boeing 757 Explorer One (G-OOBF)
Luxor, Egypt
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

    Today was our full day to explore Luxor, so we began reasonably early. We have been quite fortunate in Africa with the weather. Both in Tanzania and here in Egypt, we have had dry skies (not too surprising in the Sahara) and comfortable temperatures. Not that anyone is shivering, but the mornings are cool and it really isn’t hot until the middle of the afternoon out in the direct sun. Sun block and a good hat are definitely in order, however.

    We left the hotel at 7:30 am and drove by bus from the eastern bank of the Nile to the west bank. In Egyptian mythology, the eastern side is representative of birth and life, while the western side is associated with death or actually conveyance to the next life. This, of course, was based on the observation of the sun god that is reborn each morning in the east, travels by solar boat across the sky, and dies each evening in the east. The god then travels back through the nether world during the night to the east to be reborn in the morning. Most temples are on the east bank, while the tombs are located on the west bank.

    Our first stop of the morning was at the Valley of the Kings, where we were able to venture underground into three tombs, including that the Tutankhamen. The archeologists have found and explored about 67 tombs and are still searching for about another sixteen, which should be in the area. To help mitigate the impact of massive number of visitors each year, they shuttle visitors from a parking area and visitors’ center to the tombs via electric “Disneyland-like” trams.

    They also rotate which tombs are open for public access. The presence of visitors significantly increases the moisture in the air damaging the walls and leading to the formation of mold. We were lucky to have the opportunity to visit Tutankhamen’s tomb. It will close at the end of next month. I wish that I could share the visit to the tombs photographically, but no cameras are allowed in the Valley of the Kings.

    We then travelled to the other side of the hills from the Valley of the Kings to view (from a distance) the Hatshepsut Temple, and then it was on to visit Medinet Habu. Here, we were able to get out and take photographs. Like every stop in Cambodia, India, and now in Egypt, we were surrounded by people hawking their trinket and wares. Some can be quite persistent, but the best way to discourage them is to say nothing and try to avoid any eye contact. Saying no only encourages them to bargain more and try harder to get your attention.

    After the visit to Medinet Habu, we made a very short photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These are pair of impressive statues, but not a particularly interesting subject to photograph. This filled out the morning activities. Our next stop was a dock on the west bank to board felucca sailing vessels to have a very pleasant lunch sailing up the Nile back to our hotel. Each vessel seated eight guests and was catered by the waiters and chefs of the hotel. With such a beautiful day, this was a great way to relax from the morning’s activities.

    Back at the hotel, we had only about 45 minutes rest before re-boarding the buses for a visit to the Temple of Karnak on the east bank. All of these temples were added to by each succeeding dynasty, so they became quite large with many differing styles. One section of the Temple of Karnak consists of 137 giant pillars. Another section has tall monoliths, and other areas have statues and relief carvings.

    Returning to the hotel, we had three or four hours to rest up for the evening festivities. At 8:00 pm, we were transferred by Caleche (horse drawn carriages) from the hotel to the Luxor Temple for a private Pharaonic cocktail party and gala dinner within the dramatically lighted Temple. We got back to the hotel about midnight to rest up for our departure tomorrow morning to Marrakech, Morocco with a stopover in Cairo to visit the Pyramids.

Rick Hunter
rickhunterimages.com
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Some visitors to the Temple of Karnak showed less enthusiam than others.
Lunch was enjoyed while cruising up the Nile River on small felucca sailing vessels.
Columns at the Temple of Karnak.
The moon balances on the tip of a monolithic spire in the Temple of Karnak.
A giant statue at the Luxor Temple viewed during our special farewell dinner.
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