Tombs in the Valley of the Kings
Today, just as everyday, we had some amazing adventures.
This morning we left the hotel at 4:30 am by boat headed for the west bank of the Nile where we had a sunrise breakfast along the bank of the river. Our river side spot was located adjacent to a small farming village.
We had bread fresh out of the oven - really yummy!
We watched the sun rise over the east bank of the Nile.
Then we visited with a family in the village.
The young mother is holding her daughter and her mother-in-law is on the left.
Then we walked through the village and along a lane toward a bus. As always, we were accompanied by tourist security. The fellow in the suit traveled with our group all day. The fellow on the left was with us only while we were in the village.
Before we got to the bus, we noticed hot air balloons in the sky. Susan took a balloon ride yesterday. Here are a couple of her pictures.
We then hopped on the bus that took us to the Valley of the Kings where we visited three tombs. We arrived at 6:30 am, long before all the other tours arrived.
Of the three tombs we visited, Susan and I liked the paintings in the tomb of Tutmoses III the best. While others were painted with an array of bright colors, we liked the simplicity of the black and white figures. Since we could not photograph in the tombs, you can find these paintings at this website.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2002/egypt/tomb_vr_1.shtm
On our way back to our bus, we were approached by the vendors. They are everywhere, working very hard to support their families. They are all persistent, but most are friendly and even have a sense of humor. They especially like to ask where we are from and when we respond, they immediately give us a smile and a thumbs up for Obama! The fellows below were more aggressive then most however. We have mastered the art of charging through them!
On our way to visit the Valley of the Queens, the bus stopped at an alabaster shop where we got the sales pitch. I save a lot of money by shopping with my camera.
After visiting the Valley of the Queens (which looks no different than the Valley of the Kings) we headed for lunch. On the way we stopped for photo opts at the site of Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple and the two, 64 ft. tall statues of Amenophis III.
Lunch was at a restaurant on the way back to our hotel and was served buffet style. Today I had just salads consisting of beets, carrots, slaw, and my favorite, marinated eggplant. Other options include chicken, meat, pasta, hot veggies, potatoes, and desserts. Susan and I have had no problems with eating any of the foods served and have probably gained weight as a result.
We returned to the hotel by 1 pm and have the afternoon to ourselves. Some people are shopping, some swimming, and other napping. At 5 pm we head out in horse drawn carriages to visited the Luxor Museum followed by a tour of the back streets of the city.
Tomorrow morning we fly to Cairo and fly home the following day. I do not know if I will have an internet connection tomorrow, and if I don't, I'll continue to post more after I get home.
All for now!
This morning we left the hotel at 4:30 am by boat headed for the west bank of the Nile where we had a sunrise breakfast along the bank of the river. Our river side spot was located adjacent to a small farming village.
We had bread fresh out of the oven - really yummy!
We watched the sun rise over the east bank of the Nile.
Then we visited with a family in the village.
The young mother is holding her daughter and her mother-in-law is on the left.
Then we walked through the village and along a lane toward a bus. As always, we were accompanied by tourist security. The fellow in the suit traveled with our group all day. The fellow on the left was with us only while we were in the village.
Before we got to the bus, we noticed hot air balloons in the sky. Susan took a balloon ride yesterday. Here are a couple of her pictures.
We then hopped on the bus that took us to the Valley of the Kings where we visited three tombs. We arrived at 6:30 am, long before all the other tours arrived.
Of the three tombs we visited, Susan and I liked the paintings in the tomb of Tutmoses III the best. While others were painted with an array of bright colors, we liked the simplicity of the black and white figures. Since we could not photograph in the tombs, you can find these paintings at this website.
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2002/egypt/tomb_vr_1.shtm
On our way back to our bus, we were approached by the vendors. They are everywhere, working very hard to support their families. They are all persistent, but most are friendly and even have a sense of humor. They especially like to ask where we are from and when we respond, they immediately give us a smile and a thumbs up for Obama! The fellows below were more aggressive then most however. We have mastered the art of charging through them!
On our way to visit the Valley of the Queens, the bus stopped at an alabaster shop where we got the sales pitch. I save a lot of money by shopping with my camera.
After visiting the Valley of the Queens (which looks no different than the Valley of the Kings) we headed for lunch. On the way we stopped for photo opts at the site of Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple and the two, 64 ft. tall statues of Amenophis III.
Lunch was at a restaurant on the way back to our hotel and was served buffet style. Today I had just salads consisting of beets, carrots, slaw, and my favorite, marinated eggplant. Other options include chicken, meat, pasta, hot veggies, potatoes, and desserts. Susan and I have had no problems with eating any of the foods served and have probably gained weight as a result.
We returned to the hotel by 1 pm and have the afternoon to ourselves. Some people are shopping, some swimming, and other napping. At 5 pm we head out in horse drawn carriages to visited the Luxor Museum followed by a tour of the back streets of the city.
Tomorrow morning we fly to Cairo and fly home the following day. I do not know if I will have an internet connection tomorrow, and if I don't, I'll continue to post more after I get home.
All for now!
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