At this hotel was the office for the trip management group. We boarded water taxi's behind the hotel for an early, cold crossing of the Nile. On the west bank we again boarded small van taxi's and drove up to the balloon launching area (some empty fields). We were divided up and put on balloons. Most of us were in the same balloon. We had a safety briefing prior to getting in and soon took off.
We came up behind the Ramesseum and had good views of the Medinet Habu, Deir El Medina, Hatshepsut's Temple and other old temples. We did not seem to move much, staying in the same area of the Ramesseum. We were airborne for sunrise.
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| Ramesseum temple complex. |
We were up for about 50 minutes and reached an altitude of 1,500 feet above sea level. We started to descend, went right over the Collosi of Memnon and landed in a farm field. There was a small word exchange between the farmer and the balloon operator, and they moved us while still in the basket to a bare area. Then they had us wait while full gas tanks were loaded, and then pulled us out while putting the next group in.
Once out we got a certificate of the flight, then met with the guide. He collected the money for the next optional tours. We got into a van taxi and were dropped off about a mile away at a bus stop. We waited there until our mini bus picked us up.
We drove a short distance to Deir El Medina. Looked over the village for a bit, then visited inside two of the worker tombs. One was the village supervisor, the other one of the other workers. Both were well preserved. In one of the tombs I exchanged the keeper 5 Egyptian pounds for an Australian dollar.
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| Deir el Medina, village of workers who built tombs in Valley of the Kings. |
After that we drove down the road to the Medinet Habu temple. Went inside with guide and visited most of the main halls and some smaller rooms. We also visited the ruins of Ramesses III palace outside the temple. Had to pay $1 to some worker who tried to show me some stuff.
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| Detail of main hall in Medinet Habu temple. |
Once outside we walked along a street with a few shops. Some guy tried to sell me some small statues. Price was not bad, but do not have room in my bag.
We found the guide at a small cafe, most of us bought drinks or ice cream and then got on bus and drove to the Collosi of Memnon. We stopped for 5 minutes to get a few pictures.
We found the guide at a small cafe, most of us bought drinks or ice cream and then got on bus and drove to the Collosi of Memnon. We stopped for 5 minutes to get a few pictures.
We drove down to the river and met up with Sami. Those of us not going for the camel ride stayed with Sami at a restaurant called Africa. We sat on the open roof. I wrote all this while the others talked.
The camel riders arrived back and we all went down to the curb to await the bus. After boarding the bus we took the long route south and across the bridge by the boat dock.
We all hit our rooms and then most of us found our way to the sun deck to talk until lunch. Lunch at 1:00 was great again. Couscous with tomato sauce, some kind of beef with peppers in it, breaded fish, scalloped potatoes, chicken in sauce and a vegetable and pasta soup.
Came back to room and wrote after lunch.
Went up onto sun deck after a bit and spent some time talking. Then we all gathered down at the lobby for a quick meeting about the next day. We also discussed tonight's activities.
After that we got on a mini-bus and drove into central Luxor. We stopped at the horse carriage place and all got into carriages. 3 people per buggy. I sat up on the seat next to the driver. The ride was rough and kind of sucked with all the cars. The horses looked like they were not treated as good as they should be.
We rode past Luxor Temple and onto the corniche road (Roads along the Nile banks, usually main routes) and after about 15 minutes arrived at Karnak Temple. Our guide was same from earlier.
He showed us around the temple and pointed out unique things he has found in his years of study. We saw the main pylon, sphinx rows, hypostyle hall, both obelisks and the sacred lake. Got some nice photos of sunset while there.
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| Detail of one of the sphinx lined avenues. |
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| Great Hypostyle hall at Karnak. |
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| The 2 obelisks still standing at Karnak. |
After the tour we had a few moments to ourselves. I explored a few other areas and then found the restrooms. Paid $1 to use it, then left to meet group outside temple. We walked over to the horse buggies and were taken back down to the center of Luxor.
They dropped us off at a shop selling mainly jewelry that was recommended for us to shop at. I did not expect to find anything, but ended up buying a glass obelisk for 150 Egyptian pounds. It will be delivered to my hotel room tomorrow. We stood a bit while others shopped, then walked down to the river bank.
Sami showed us some good sites for shopping, eating and a few other museums. He also took us close to Luxor temple for a great night time shot.
We also walked the old market area and found a few other shops to check out. We waited while a few tried to get money from the ATM (I had hit the exchange after Karnak and traded another $200)
which was not working for them. We then walked down to the river bank bazaar and Sami pointed out a few good shops owned by a friend of his. A restaurant, cafe, bowling alley/bar and high end shop.
We then got back to the corniche street and waited for our bus. I asked about buying stamps and was informed where the post office was. Will try to get there first thing tomorrow when we come back to Luxor.
We got on the bus and came back to the boat. Sat for a bit and then went to dinner. This time had rice, fish in sauce, fried chicken pieces, some kind of casserole and split pea soup. Drank a Coke, then had a few desserts. Talked a bit after dinner and then came back to room and wrote in this book some.
At 9:00 they had some traditional dancers in the main lounge. A guy who just spun in circles for a long time and a female belly dancer. Both were kind of boring, the music (played live) was too loud for the tones used and the room was too smoke filled. I soon left and came back to the room and got stuff packed up for morning. Then went to sleep.
*Note that we did have to pay our drink tabs at 9:30 p.m. in cash. My total for 3 nights was 56 Egyptian pounds.*
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