Egypt is a country of stone and sand, bisected by the green ribbon of the fertile Nile Valley. While the famous pyramids and the Great Sphinx are in Giza just outside of Cairo, the famous temples and tombs are hundreds of miles upstream along the river between Aswan and Luxor. Abu Simbel, south of the High Dam at Aswan, was rescued from obliteration under Nile Lake waters by UNESCO in the 1960s. Downstream from (that is, north of) the High Dam are numerous sites, including the incomparable Valley of the Kings near Luxor.
The history, legends, chronology of the kings and their dynasties, and other information are available elsewhere, so please just enjoy a sampling of images from my recent trip -- experiences I shared with thousands of other visitors from all over the world.
Luxor Temple
The Valley of the Kings
Karnak Temple at Luxor
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I've been thinking of getting to Egypt - though I've heard once you're in the country it's hard to get from place to place. Without a guided tour is it even possible to get from Cairo to Luxor?
ReplyDeletePreviously.Bitten - Egyptair flies between Cairo and Luxor. I don't know anything about the fares, but they might not be too onerous if booked in conjunction w/ a transatlantic flight. The Egyptian National Railroad operates five daily trains between Cairo and Luxor/Aswan, including two overnight express trains. Seats and compartments are available. They are air conditioned, which is not trivial in the searing desert heat. Go to http://www.touregypt.net/trains.htm#Cairo%20to%20Luxor%20and%20Aswan for details.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Having lived in Cairo from 1967-1970, I find the changes--and what hasn't really changed at all--very interesting. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteGreat reminders of my own awe-struck visit there in 1988. After ten days, I felt like I'd been to a feast and eaten way too much--I couldn't take in another half a hyraglyph. But looking at your photos, I feel hungry again --
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Wow that is incredible. How hot was it? Is there a cooler season?
ReplyDeleteSybille - This IS the cool season. It was in the high 80s and up during the day, but being a desert, temperatures dropped precipitously at night.
ReplyDeletegood work cool
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Really "a country of stone and sand", amazingly attractive. Like the "Edfu Temple" best. :)
ReplyDeleteFine shots of a fascinating land. Your picture of Hathor,the cow headed goddess reminds me of my visit. I was so entranced checking out Hathor's features that I tripped on the worn stone at the temple's entrance and broke an ankle. I fainted dead away, and my friends had to carry me into the shade of the wall surrounding the site. We'd move a few feet, and I'd blank out again. The old Egyptian caretaker thoughtfully unrolled one of his clean sleeping mats where I stayed until the end of the tour. You may be sure I dug deep for that old man's baksheesh.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images of a fascinating place. A place I've always wanted to see, but have been a little afraid of going. I admire you!
ReplyDeleteThirteen million or so tourists visit Egypt during the fiscal year that ended in June 2008 -- overwhelmingly without incident, perhaps because of the governments robust security measures. Most went to Cairo/Giza/Saqqara, the Nile Valley between Luxor and Aswan, and such Red Sea resorts as Sharm el-Sheikh. Alexandria, Port Said, Sharm and Safaga are regular ports of call for cruise ships that disgorge legions of visitors at a time. If you want to go, Sue, I urge you to do so.
ReplyDeleteNow this is what I'd go to Egypt for - I looked at your photos and was immediately transported thousands of years. So many unanswered questions ....so many mysteries.... fascinating
ReplyDeleteIve been planning to visit egypt,thanks alot for all the information.Egypt is really an awesome palce to visit.
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Great pictures
ReplyDeleteYour photos of these gems of antiquity are fabulous! It's my life dream to go to Luxor and Abu Simbel. Thanks for a look at this gorgeous country!
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