Amman to Zanzibar (A to Z): Sunday 27th Luxor

Sunday 27 March We sailed over night to the port of Safaga to board buses to take us to stay a night in Luxor. On our way we visited the famous Valley of the Kings where the tombs of Tutankhamun, Set I and Ramses II were discovered by Howard Carter. The Pharaohs stopped using the Pyramids as tombs about 3000 years ago and changed to underground technique to hide from the tomb raiders, such as Indiana Jones. This was great and we visited four tombs, Tutankhamun’s of course but Ramses VII was the most interesting and spectacular. The art work in these tombs done 3000 years ago are in such great condition. The intricate work is mind blowing. Unfortunately photos in the tombs are not allowed but in someways I can appreciate the reason for this and hence it was important just absorb the experience and we did.

After booking into our Luxor hotel, lunch and a short break we left at 5 to visit what turned out to be the highlight of the whole of our trip to Egypt. The Luxor Temple is hard to describe it is big and spectacular and goes on forever. Again how they built this is hard to comprehend and all with out an environmental study. We were also lucky to spot Dr Zahi Hawass who is considered one of the world leading Egyptologist walking through the Luxor Temple, We recently saw him on TV in Melbourne discussing the discovery in Tutankhaum’s tomb of another room that may contain the remains of Queen Nefertiti. Had my photo taken with him, special treat. The magnitude of the Luxor Temple is impossible to describe and how they constructed this place is mind boggling. I hope I never forget this place.

Then on to the sound and light show at the ruins of the Luxor City. Not a great show but again, how did they build these things?