Kent here - Vaughn will probably take over after this.
Finally a sign of life from us in EGYPT!! I'm sure some of you were fearing the worst, but we have been having an absolutely spectacular time. Any idea that there is unrest or instability in the country is far removed from us and everyone we've met has been wonderfully welcoming!
Unfortunately, the internet on the Nile River cruise ship, doesn't particularly work while we are sailing, and when we've been in port we've been off on fabulous tours of ancient Egypt! So this morning I got up at 4:45 while docked in Edfu just so I could get a communication out to everyone.
All 26 of the group made it to Cairo by Friday evening, though suitcases for Mary Beth and my brother Merrill did not. We had a beautiful Fairmont Hotel near the airport, but had a 7:00 a.m. flight Saturday to Luxor, so not much time to take advantage of it.
We boarded our luxury Nile River cruise ship, the Movenpick Royal Lotus, and after a delicious lunch headed out to tour Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Both are amazing places, but when the sun began to set while we were at Luxor Temple and the lights began to glow, the mood was stunning.
Very early Saturday morning, 15 of us (including my 90-year-old Mother!!) left the boat at 5 for a boat ride across the Nile where we were then taken on a Hot Air Balloon ride on the West Bank. Wow!! We were all in awe as our balloon quietly sailed over rich, green agricultural lands (thank you Aswan Dam!), small villages, and ancient Temples. The sun came up over the mountains and the Nile River and bathed rugged hills and Temple ruins in a soft light. Mother said that this whole experience almost makes her want to teach school again!
From there, the rest of the group joined us and we proceeded to the Valley of the Kings (think King Tut's tomb!!) where we entered several tombs of the Pharaohs. They do not allow any cameras in the area, so the only photo on this site is of the road leading to the Valley. Nevertheless, it's a striking area with fascinating history.
We were allowed to take photos of Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and enjoyed our visit there before boarding another small boat to take us across the Nile directly to our ship. We sailed at 1:00, heading upriver (south) toward Edfu.
Boarding our plane in Cairo for Luxor. The adventure begins!
View across the Nile River from our home for the next 5 days.
An eclectic mix of treasures in the Nubian Shop in Luxor
Papyrus Art
Karnak Temple - first exposure to the ancients
The entryway to Karnak Temple
First courtyard of Luxor Temple
carvings on the throne of Ramses II
Colonnade leading to the Inner Courtyard of Luxor Temple
Lights come on as the sky darkens.
Enormous and elaborate columns at Karnak Temple
Skyview of the columns
Gaylene, Twila, and Mother at Karnak with Obelisk in the background
Our guide, Ahmed, "exaplains" antiquities.
The Great Ramses II at Luxor Temple
carvings on the throne of Ramses II
Intricate wall carvings at Luxor Temple
Kent meets 'old friends' from a previous tour!
Lights come on as the sky darkens.
Luxor Temple at dusk
Ramses II in his illuminated glory!
Early Morning Hot Air Balloon ride on the West Bank
Sunrise over the mountains and Nile River
Mother and Kent in the Hot Air Balloon
The early sun lights up the hills surrounding the Valley of the Kings
Notice the contrast between irrigated fields and barren desert!
The Aswan Dam provides irrigation water for thousands of acres.
The access road to the Valley of the Kings
Queen Hatshepsut's Temple
Four Queens! (Kay and Ruth)
The Collossi of Memnon
Amazing Photos! Especially with the sunset and sunrise!
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