Flight to Luxor and the Nile cruise to Aswan Dam
1/18/18 Our wake up call was at 3:15 a.m. We were handed bagged breakfast (mostly bread) and bussed to Cairo for a flight south to Luxor. Our luggage went to the boat, but the bus took us to Karnak Temple, a very large complex with 6 major gates. This temple was built by Ramses the Great. His likeness is everywhere. The gates are lined on both sides with sphinxes with rams heads, then they open up to columned courtyards. Entrance to Karnak Temple a columned courtyard Every area narrowed down to a wide passageway, and they opened up again to another columned room. There were 6 gates that opened up to 6 entried areas. Sometimes, there were side rooms. As you proceed toward the back of the temple, you approach the last room which was the prayer room. a side room A friendly Egyptian The cartouche of Rameses II - it is everywhere (two suns, mountain, Nile, King on his throne, staff) more columns the ceiling of the columns ...