LUXOR, EGYPT (TEMPLE OF KARNAK)

April 13, 2023

April 12, 2023

Hazy (dusty), high 77 degrees F

We took a tour bus from Safaga (where our ship was docked) 120 miles or so inland to Luxor. The first 75 miles was through the desert mountains, nothing but sandstone rock and sand. Near the city of Qena we passed a huge new city under construction called New Qena. It is designed to provide homes for 700,000 people once completed and funding for construction of the infrastructure was provided by their federal government (amazing).

After the desert trek we rode along a large canal fed from the Nile river for about 25 miles. The canal provides irrigation water to farms that were side by side along the entire 25 mile trek. This road was a narrow 2 lane that was occupied by cars, buses, tuk tuks, motor bikes, carts pulled by donkeys and trucks loaded up with fresh-cut sugar cane. There are no traffic lights in this area, just GIGANTIC speed bumps that would destroy your vehicle if you didn’t creep over them. Our driver did a masterful job weaving through that mess. We didn’t see any mechanized equipment on the farms. Donkeys were tasked with doing the hauling jobs and there were lots of them.

Luxor is located on the Nile roughly in the center of Egypt. In ancient times it was the capital of Egypt. Whereas much of Egypt is mountainous desert, the Nile River Valley is lush. The fertile soil extending out for miles and the climate make it an ideal place for growing crops. We had a good buffet lunch in one of the very nice hotels along the river. From the beautifully landscaped patio area, we walked down a pathway to dip our fingers in the Nile, just so we could say we did.

There is much to see in Luxor, including the Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in the Middle East, the Valley of the Kings where King Tut’s and other Pharaohs tombs were discovered. The Valley of the Queens where Queen Nefertari and other pharaohs’ wives were entombed. One could easily spend a week in Luxor and not see all the area has to offer. Unfortunately because of the 3 1/2 hour drive each way our time was limited and we only visited the Karnak Temple.

Some 30 pharaohs contributed to the building of the Temple Complex over a period that ran from approximately 2,000 BC to 30 BC. Major additions were made during the reign of Ramesses II and his Queen Nefertari. Ramesses II is often regarded as the most powerful pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history. Ancient Egyptians believed that the location of the temple was where creation began.

The Karnak Temple complex is the second most visited tourist site in Egypt following the Great Pyramids near Cairo. Our photos don’t do justice to this vast temple complex.

Today we are motoring northward in the Gulf of Suez, where the weather is a little brisk, and will go through the Suez Canal tomorrow.

Entering the temple complex

Sphinxes - body of lion, head of ram lining both sides of the entrance to the temple

Marble sphinx with head of Ramesses II

More sphinxes - there used to be 300

Open air temple with massive columns - carvings are very well preserved,

including the original colors

Statute of Ramesses II; Queen Nefertari between his legs. In his long life he had several wives and many concubines and fathered at least 100 children. Nefertari was his first wife and considered to be almost as powerful as Ramesses II.

Close up of the carvings on column. Guide tried to tell us what it all meant.

71 Ft tall obelisk in temple complex- a single shaft of red granite weighing about 143 tons. How did they get it upright and on its granite stand? Engineering marvel!