Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Last Day in Luxor And Cairo
I was happy I cancelled the tour yesterday (Saturday). I worked on the blog yesterday amd with a nice stone massage and coconut, sea salt body scrub.
A great day to chill out.
Today, Monday, I am at The Le Meridian at the Cairo Airport Hotel. I mean right inside the airport. I love hotels that are right in the airport. I have a 3:30 am flight so will be checking out in 12 hours.
The flight home was on Swiss air where I had the "throne seat" with no one next to me. Good food.
A great day to chill out.
Today, Monday, I am at The Le Meridian at the Cairo Airport Hotel. I mean right inside the airport. I love hotels that are right in the airport. I have a 3:30 am flight so will be checking out in 12 hours.
The flight home was on Swiss air where I had the "throne seat" with no one next to me. Good food.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Valley of Kings: Ramsey II
By now, I am on overload went through Ramsey II tomb which was much more detailed and colorful than King Tut. I should have seen Ramsey II but was too exhausted. So burnt, I canceled the next day's tour.
Valley of Kings: History
The Valley of the Kings Wādī al Mulūk,the Valley of the Gates of the Kings Wādī Abwāb al Mulūk),[2] is a valley in Egyptwhere, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, rock cut tombswere excavated for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenthto the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt).[3][4]
The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis.[5] The wadi consists of two valleys, East Valley (where the majority of the royal tombs are situated) and West Valley.
With the 2005 discovery of a new chamber and the 2008 discovery of two further tomb entrances,[6] the valley is known to contain 63 tombs and chambers (ranging in size from KV54, a simple pit, to KV5, a complex tomb with over 120 chambers).[7] It was the principal burial place of the major royal figures of the Egyptian New Kingdom, as well as a number of privileged nobles. The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues as to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period. Almost all of the tombs seem to have been opened and robbed in antiquity, but they still give an idea of the opulence and power of the Pharaohs.
This area has been a focus of archaeological and egyptological exploration since the end of the eighteenth century, and its tombs and burials continue to stimulate research and interest. In modern times the valley has become famous for the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun (with its rumours of the Curse of the Pharaohs[8]), and is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. In 1979, it became a World Heritage Site, along with the rest of the Theban Necropolis.[9] Exploration, excavation and conservation continues in the valley, and a new tourist centre has recently been opened.
Queen Hapshepsut
I sent this to Justine as she has a love of all things Egyptian
She was on my Temple tour in Luxor
Here is some info on her:
Hatshepsut (/1507–1458 BC) was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, the first being Sobekneferu. Various other women may have also ruled as pharaohs regnant or at least regents before Hatshepsut, as early as Neithhotep around 1,600 years prior.) Hatshepsut came to the throne of Egypt in 1478 BC. Officially, she ruled jointly with Thutmose III, who had ascended to the throne the previous year as a child of about two years old. Hatshepsut was the chief wife of Thutmose II, Thutmose III’s father. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. According to Egyptologist James Henry Breasted she is also known as "the first great woman in history.
She was on my Temple tour in Luxor
Here is some info on her:
Hatshepsut (/1507–1458 BC) was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, the first being Sobekneferu. Various other women may have also ruled as pharaohs regnant or at least regents before Hatshepsut, as early as Neithhotep around 1,600 years prior.) Hatshepsut came to the throne of Egypt in 1478 BC. Officially, she ruled jointly with Thutmose III, who had ascended to the throne the previous year as a child of about two years old. Hatshepsut was the chief wife of Thutmose II, Thutmose III’s father. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. According to Egyptologist James Henry Breasted she is also known as "the first great woman in history.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Luxor Temple: History
Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city today known as Luxor(ancient Thebes) and was constructed approximately 1400 BCE. In the Egyptian language it is known as ipet resyt, "the southern sanctuary". In Luxor there are several great temples on the east and west banks. Four of the major mortuary temples visited by early travelers and tourists include the Temple of Seti I at Gurnah, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahri, the Temple of Ramesses II (a.k.a. Ramesseum), and the Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu; and the two primary cults temples on the east bank are known as the Karnak and Luxor.[1] Unlike the other temples in Thebes, Luxor temple is not dedicated to a cult god or a deified version of the king in death. Instead Luxor temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship; it may have been where many of the kings of Egypt were crowned in reality or conceptually (as in the case of Alexander the Great who claimed he was crowned at Luxor but may never have traveled south of Memphis, near modern Cairo.)
To the rear of the temple are chapels built by Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty, and Alexander. Other parts of the temple were built by Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. During the Roman era, the temple and its surroundings were a legionary fortress and the home of the Roman government in the area.
To the rear of the temple are chapels built by Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty, and Alexander. Other parts of the temple were built by Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. During the Roman era, the temple and its surroundings were a legionary fortress and the home of the Roman government in the area.
Karnak: History
Cult temple dedicated to Amun, Mut and Khonsu. The largest religious building ever constructed.
The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isu—or “most select of places”—by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. This derelict place is still capable of overshadowing many wonders of the modern world and in its day must have been awe-inspiring.
The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isu—or “most select of places”—by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. This derelict place is still capable of overshadowing many wonders of the modern world and in its day must have been awe-inspiring.
For the largely uneducated ancient Egyptian population, this could only have been the place of the gods. It is the largest religious building ever made, covering about 200 acres (1.5 km by 0.8 km), and was a place of pilgrimage for nearly 2,000 years. The area of the sacred enclosure of Amun alone is sixty-one acres and could hold ten average European cathedrals. The great temple at the heart of Karnak is so big that St Peter’s, Milan, and Notre Dame Cathedrals would fit within its walls.
The Hypostyle hall, at 54,000 square feet (16,459 meters) and featuring 134 columns, is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. In addition to the main sanctuary there are several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake – 423 feet by 252 feet (129 by 77 meters). The sacred barges of the Theban Triad once floated on the lake during the annual Opet festival. The lake was surrounded by storerooms and living quarters for the priests, along with an aviary for aquatic birds.
The Egyptians believed that towards the end of annual agricultural cycle the gods and the earth became exhausted and required a fresh input of energy from the chaotic energy of the cosmos.
To accomplish this magical regeneration the Opet festival was held yearly at Karnak and Luxor. It lasted for twenty-seven days and was also a celebration of the link between pharaoh and the god Amun. The procession began at Karnak and ended at Luxor Temple, one and a half miles (2.4 kilometres) to the south.
The statue of the god Amun was bathed with holy water, dressed in fine linen, and adorned in gold and silver jewellery. The priests then placed the god in a shrine and onto the ceremonial barque supported by poles for carrying. Pharaoh emerged from the temple, his priests carrying the barque on their shoulders, and together they moved into the crowded streets. A troop of Nubian soldiers serving as guards beat their drums, and musicians accompanied the priests in song as incense filled the air.
At Luxor, (right) Pharaoh and his priests entered the temple and ceremonies were performed to regenerate Amun, recreate the cosmos and transfer Amun’s power to Pharaoh. When he finally emerged from the temple sanctuary, the vast crowds cheered him and celebrated the guaranteed fertility of the earth and the expectation of abundant harvests.
During the festival the people were given over 11000 loaves of bread and more than 385 jars of beer, and some were allowed into the temple to ask questions of the god. The priests spoke the answers through a concealed window high up in the wall, or from inside hollow statues.
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Luxor: Hilton Spa and Resort
Fly to Luxor only an hour flight. What can you say awesome hotel and spa with my room overlooking the Nile.
My Tour Guide, Sammy.
My Tour Guide, Sammy.
Private suite overlooking the Nile where I took had a massage a day...Wonderful!
Pyramid Tour V
A tourist, lame lunch on a house-type boat where I took an interesting photo of a houseboat sinking. Then, off to the Solar Boat that was used as a precursor transporting the King on his journey to the after life. The boat and its rope diggings are intact and fascinating.
Pyramid Tour IV
We then headed to the Sphinx and the Pyramids. This was exhausting walking around next time, I would do half day Museum and Memphis, half day Pyramids.
I paid to go inside the Pyramid but it was not only claustrophobic but you had to bend over and walk up about 4 stories. I was concerned with my neck and back hurting and I still had a lot of the trip left so I went a third of the way up and came back down.
The other observation I have is that they throw garbage all over the place in Egypt and well as Jordan. It made me sick to see the disrespect.
I paid to go inside the Pyramid but it was not only claustrophobic but you had to bend over and walk up about 4 stories. I was concerned with my neck and back hurting and I still had a lot of the trip left so I went a third of the way up and came back down.
The other observation I have is that they throw garbage all over the place in Egypt and well as Jordan. It made me sick to see the disrespect.
Here is really where it felt exotic...
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