LUXOR

---

First stop in Egypt - Luxor. Once the capital of ancient Egypt first under Montuhotep II of the 11th dynasty (2055 BC) when it was known as Thebes, modern-day Luxor has been described as an open-air museum. The Luxor Temple is located in the heart of town, right by the east banks of the river Nile. A few kilometers north along the river is the sprawling complex of the Temples of Karnak. Across the Nile, beyond the west bank, lies the final resting place of many of Egypt's pharoahs - the Valley of the Kings.

---

Photos

Luxor airport
Charla was right, everything is delayed in Egypt. We waited a long while before eventually getting onto the bus.

Karnak temple - Avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and 1st pylon
The interesting thing about the Temples of Karnak is that its architecture bears contribution by many pharoahs. Over a span of nearly 1500 years, it was repeatedly built, dismantled and added to by pharoahs trying to outdo their predecessors.

Karnak temple - Within the walls of the great court
I wasn't quite expecting to find palm trees in the middle of the temple grounds.

Karnak temple - Statue of somebody
This is one of the Ramses I think. Which one, however, I can't recall.

Karnak temple - Great hypostyle hall
The guy making the hand gesture to the map of the hypostyle hall is our guide Waleed.

Luxor temple - Obelisk and statues of Ramses II in front of 1st pylon
There used to be two obelisks in front of the 1st pylon. Now, the other obelisk stands in Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Luxor temple - Mosque
In a corner of Luxor temple stands a mosque. I presume it must have been a recent addition.

Comments

[anonymous]

WOW!!!
Its an amazing picture. - muhd.amirullah

[Suesy]

That's Great!!!
Those pictures are soooooooo beautifuf. Iwish I could just be their everyday!I'm 60 yrs old and love Egypt soooo much, thank you for showing me these pics. your friend, Suesy P.S. I'll write back soon so don't worry!!!!