We got an early start today visiting the west bank of the Nile.
This is a day time view of the mountain of the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. No cameras were allowed either inside or outside the tombs in the valley. During the New Kingdom the pharaohs decided to build their tombs in the valleys of this pyramidal shaped mountain in hopes that they would not be robbed like the pyramids of the Old Kingdom. Unfortunately their efforts were for naught as all tombs, except for King Tutankhamen have been robbed. The paintings on the walls of the tombs in the Valley of the Queens were so well preserved and quite beautiful.
The Habu Temple is a war temple built by Ramses III. It has a unique feature of very deeply inscribed hieroglyphics.
The Temple of Hatshepsut was built by the first woman ruler in the world to honor her father, Thutmosis I. She is also one of the first rulers to trade between countries. Because she was a pharaoh, her tomb is in the Valley of the Kings rather than the Valley of the Queens. She acquired the throne because Thutmosis III was too young to rule when his father died.
After Hatshepsut died and Thutmosis III gained the throne, he removed her head from all statue and defaced any image of her, except for those on the obelisks and in her tomb. He was angry at her for sending him away while he was young so she could rule Egypt.
We went into the city of Luxor in hopes of doing a little shopping. When we got there the demonstrations had begun. Here you see a crowd being dispersed by tear gas. Most of the shops were closed, so after one quick stop we headed back to the boat. We wish the Egyptian people well in their struggle for democracy.
Our last night on the Nile… time to party!
This is a day time view of the mountain of the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. No cameras were allowed either inside or outside the tombs in the valley. During the New Kingdom the pharaohs decided to build their tombs in the valleys of this pyramidal shaped mountain in hopes that they would not be robbed like the pyramids of the Old Kingdom. Unfortunately their efforts were for naught as all tombs, except for King Tutankhamen have been robbed. The paintings on the walls of the tombs in the Valley of the Queens were so well preserved and quite beautiful.
The Habu Temple is a war temple built by Ramses III. It has a unique feature of very deeply inscribed hieroglyphics.
The Temple of Hatshepsut was built by the first woman ruler in the world to honor her father, Thutmosis I. She is also one of the first rulers to trade between countries. Because she was a pharaoh, her tomb is in the Valley of the Kings rather than the Valley of the Queens. She acquired the throne because Thutmosis III was too young to rule when his father died.
After Hatshepsut died and Thutmosis III gained the throne, he removed her head from all statue and defaced any image of her, except for those on the obelisks and in her tomb. He was angry at her for sending him away while he was young so she could rule Egypt.
We went into the city of Luxor in hopes of doing a little shopping. When we got there the demonstrations had begun. Here you see a crowd being dispersed by tear gas. Most of the shops were closed, so after one quick stop we headed back to the boat. We wish the Egyptian people well in their struggle for democracy.
Our last night on the Nile… time to party!
We were treated to Egyptian music and dance. Ahmed, our waiter, was determined to get everyone out on the dance floor. Anne dances in her new galabaya, while Mary Kay tries a new step.
Bonnie has always loved folk dancing.
I have no clue what the sticks were all about, but I was having fun.
We so enjoyed our time on the Nile. The sights were amazing, while the other passengers and the boat staff were such fun.
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