A Post Card from Luxor

We have two busy days in Luxor before we catch the night train back to Cairo.  Luxor has been built in the area that was once the 4000 year old ancient city of Thebes.  It is hence very much on the tourist trail of must see places as it is home to an astounding collection of temples and tombs. 

After we check in to our hotel and have a quick lunch we visit the Animal Care Hospital in Luxor.

It is a project that Intrepid support and the centre provides vet support to working animals of the locals  who would otherwise be unable to care for their animals.  They also educate the public in issues around animal welfare and aim to raise the level of awareness in Egypt regarding cruelty to animals.

We then move on to the Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in all of Egypt and a place that was once home to over a thousand high priests.  A flood wall surrounds this temple complex reminding us that the Nile once flooded these parts on a frequent basis. 

A sphinx lined avenue guides us into the temple complex.  The sphinx are a bit different here as they have the head of a ram and the body of a lion. This temple was built over a period of 1500 years and is certainly the most incredible complex of sanctuaries, obelisks and statues that one might come across in ones travels and I think the largest in Egypt.  The sheer size of this place leaves me astounded and reminds me of the power of the Pharaohs who once ruled this land.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spend 2 hours in this complex, wondering the paths and trying to find a bit of piece and quiet amongst the throngs of people who have decided to visit. 

I manage to lose myself in the high columns and sit there quietly for a little while taking it all in. 

We wake up early the next morning to visit the Colossi of Memnon, two statues that remain from  a temple built by Amonhotep III. We are given an opportunity to travel like an Egyptian when Amr our guide informs us he has arranged donkeys for us.  A few of my fellow travellers have their reservations but in the end we are all persuaded to give it a go.  Riding a donkey is harder than it looks but once we get our balance, we relax and enjoy the passing village scenes we travel through.  

Our last stop for the day is the Valley of the Kings, a place home to more than 60 tombs of pharaohs and others during the period of the New Kingdom.  We visit the tombs of Tutmosis III, Saptah & Ramses VII and marvel at the intricate artwork inside.  It is here that King Tut’s tomb was accidently discovered completely intact by Howard Carter as he went about his archaeological dig. 

Our last stop is at the home of a local for a bite to eat.  We sit on cushions on the floor and chat to this woman who is a local guide herself and studied Egyptology at the same university as Amr, our own guide. 

We get another insight into the local culture and quiz her about some of the cultural norms in Egypt in terms of dress and behaviour expected of a woman.  She is quite independent and explains to us that the head covering and hijab is only worn when she goes outside.  Inside the house and with her female friends and close male relatives she is free to dress as she pleases.  Chances such as this to interact with locals is one of the best parts of an Intrepid trip.  We sit on the cushions, sipping our hibiscus drinks and chat for ages before taking our leave.  Tomorrow, is a special feast day in Egypt celebrating the pilgrims who make the journey to Haj.  “Shukran”, (thank you) we say as we wish her the our best for her feast day tomorrow.   “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not”. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson