Luxor

Our group caught a bus to Luxor.  In the afternoon, we went to see Karnak, one of the most spectacular temples we have seen.

Model of Karnak as it used to look

Diane Resting

Laura and Jay--the new Pharaohs

Karen West smoking sheeshas

Laura, Kelvin, and Sean taking an early morning balloon ride

Luxor Temple

We took a donkey ride as part of our trip to the Valley of the Kings. The donkeys seemed to have their own minds.  They followed only certain other donkeys. David's donkey won the run to the finish line.  We heard him encourage his donkey with  Hup! Hup!, and then raced slowly by us to the finish line. Donkeys are used widely in the rural areas for transportation and hauling cart loads of produce.

David coming from behind to win the race

We continued our trip to the Valley of the Kings--tombs of the pharaohs--which is just outside of Luxor in a valley surrounded by steep cliff walls of limestone. Cameras were not allowed in the Valley of the Kings.

Next, we visited Hatshepsut's temple. When her husband died, she became the regent or king for her young son who succeeded his father as the pharaoh . She, then, had herself declared as the Pharaoh; and ruled until she died of illness.  Her son became the Pharaoh at 26; and he destroyed a lot of her temples and statues as he was angry at her for usurping his power.  She was one of the few queens who became a pharaoh.

Alien from space??

We had lunch with an Egyptian family. They welcomed us into their home, and provided a very tasty meal.  Later, we played soccer with their children in their courtyard.

 The family's children out played us 

That night, we boarded the night train to Cairo.