Went back to room to check that I had everything, then met in lobby lounge to wait for bus.
Got on bus and waited while luggage was loaded. We then drove into Luxor and stopped at the hotel we would use just for the day. This was the Tut Hotel. We dropped off luggage and then went outside to meet up with Sami.
He walked us over to the dock on the bank about a mile away. We got into water taxi and went across to the west bank.
A short walk from the docking area and we found the donkeys waiting to take us to the Valley of the Kings.
They assigned us our donkey which we walked up the road a bit. We then mounted and rode out onto the main road. Eventually we went onto a narrow village road and then back to the main road into the valley.
The road winds its way up into a narrow canyon (wadi) and eventually ended at the bus parking lot. It took about 40 minutes to make the trip.
*Note on the donkeys. The animals looked in decent health, but the saddles and reins were poor. I had a difficult time getting on as I was too big for the poor donkey and he moved as I tried. With my camera bag on shoulder, camera around neck and water in one hand, made getting on and controlling the beast difficult. This donkey also had an urgent need to be in front of the others. Each time I slowed him back to the midst of the group, he would soon pick up speed and push to the front. My long legs were only 6 inches off the ground, so had to watch it near curbs and other obstacles. The lack of stirrups made my inner thighs take all the pressure. Overall, while it was an interesting experience, it was not that much fun. We all opted to pay the extra 5 Egyptian pounds to get a bus back out of the valley.*
At the Valley of the Kings we met up with our guide from the day before. He took us into main building and had us wait while he bought tickets. Used the toilet here ($1 tip) and then walked up to main entrance. He showed us where to buy tickets for Tutankhamun's tomb (80 Egyptian pounds). Only Amanda bought one. He lead us to front of line and then once all in the gate we sat under a shade shelter while he talked about the area and explained how the ticket worked.
Our ticket was good for 3 tombs of our choice from those open to the public (except Tutankhamun and Ramesses VI).
He chose the 3 tombs for us to give us the best highlights.
The first was Ramesses IV. This tomb was long, complete and in good condition. It also was steep to get in and out. Again, no photos were allowed :( . But got to see the paintings and the main stone sarcophagus.
The next was Ramesses IX. This tomb was not complete, so saw some of how it was made. The paintings it did have were not as good of condition, but it did have a few good ones. This tomb had one steep area and no sarcophagus (in British Museum).
The next was Ramesses I. Before I went in, I asked the guide if he would be willing to go buy me a ticket for Tutankhamun while I was in this tomb. He agreed. The tomb had a really steep and long descent. Most of it is unpainted and not finished. At the bottom is the only chamber, but the paintings are well done, good condition and unique. After exiting, I found the guide and picked up Tut's ticket.
Tutankhamun's tomb had a short wait to get in. Also had to leave my camera up top. They check it for you at the ticket gate. The entry is steep, but not too long. At the bottom you have the main room which now contains Tut's mummy in a case, but only showing feet and face. [2019 NOTE: This was a new change they had made just a few months prior to my trip, until then his mummy had always been in his sarcophagus and not seen by anyone for decades. Concern over deterioration caused by higher humidity levels due to tourism was the prompt to place it in a climate controlled box in main room.]
The burial chamber wall is gone and you can see the entire chambers paintings. Well preserved, but low quality. Also see the outer stone sarcophagus and one of the inner gold painted ones.
Once out, we walked back to shuttles that run people the 1/2 mile up to the tombs. (We walked on the way up, but rides down are free.) At the entrance the guide showed us some cards we could buy of the tomb walls for 25 Egyptian pounds. I bought one to be delivered later. [2019 NOTE: I believe it is to protect these revenue streams that they started to ban photographs inside most places, especially with the advent of modern high resolution cameras that most people could afford.]
Used the toilet ($1 tip) and then we left through the always present row of shops. Guy had some nice painted figures of Tut's mask, coffin and Nefertiti head. He started at 300 Egyptian pounds. I told him I would give 100. Eventually settled at 120 Egyptian pounds. Then had to fight to get him to stop trying to sell me an ugly rock scarab. I later saw some slight damage to one of them, tried to exchange and he did, but then wanted 20 Egyptian pounds more. I traded them back and walked off.
About then our bus arrived. Boarded it and drove out of the valley. At the main road we met up with the guy who had all the picture cards some of us bought. Paid the guide and we drove on to the Temple of Hatshepsut.
He dropped us at ticket booth, bought tickets and then led us up to the gate. This time he told us a little history of the temple and then we were on our own inside with 45 minutes to use. Took some shots and some of temple next door (closed to public) which was lower down. When done we all met up around the lot and went to bus.
Drove back into village to the docks. I ended up sitting in front cab of van this time, so got some shots of the roads, traffic and village as we went.
We boarded the water taxi and went across to the east bank. We walked back to the hotel and Sami got us the keys to the 3 rooms we had to use for the day. 5 people per room, and that is not nice. Small rooms and no A/C that we could find. I ended up in room with two of the couples. We talked about lunch and then got with others going out. We walked back to the area around Luxor temple and ate at a place called Snack Time. I had a Coke, chicken Shawarma, falafel, and spicy chicken balls. All that for 30 Egyptian pounds. Part of the group had gone elsewhere. I ate with same couples from room and Marshall. We then all walked down to water front so one couple could visit internet cafe. Walked up up to road with Marshall and other couple. On way back to cafe we met up with the girls (Stephanie, Angela, Amanda, Katie and Rebecca).
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| Luxor Temple from balcony of Snack Time restaurant |
Rebecca went to internet cafe and Marshall went with his family. Other couple disappeared and I walked with Amanda down to get some water (3 Egyptian pounds). We walked back and got Katie with us and walked to the end of shops. Then decided to go down road to Mummification Museum. Spent 40 Egyptian pounds for entry.
This was a small place, but well managed. Saw some diagrams about making mummies and the funeral process. Also had a mummy and other funeral items around.
Afterwards we walked back to the shops. Found Rebecca still in cafe online, Marshall and his family in jewelry shop next door.
We all waited, Rebecca joined us. When Stephanie was done shopping we walked down street.
Eventually as we stopped to buy things we all got separated again. I bought a water bottle cooler/case for 25 Egyptian pounds. Also bought a large suitcase/bag for 95 Egyptian pounds. Found a postage stamp place and got a stamp for 2 Egyptian pounds.
Once back at hotel we talked about swimming at the rooftop pool, but it was ice cold. Did go up and take some photos (7th floor roof).
This was a small place, but well managed. Saw some diagrams about making mummies and the funeral process. Also had a mummy and other funeral items around.
Afterwards we walked back to the shops. Found Rebecca still in cafe online, Marshall and his family in jewelry shop next door.
We all waited, Rebecca joined us. When Stephanie was done shopping we walked down street.
Eventually as we stopped to buy things we all got separated again. I bought a water bottle cooler/case for 25 Egyptian pounds. Also bought a large suitcase/bag for 95 Egyptian pounds. Found a postage stamp place and got a stamp for 2 Egyptian pounds.
Once back at hotel we talked about swimming at the rooftop pool, but it was ice cold. Did go up and take some photos (7th floor roof).
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| Nile river and west bank across it from hotel roof pool deck. |
Went to room, both couples watching TV. Was way too hot in room, so walked up to 6th floor open lounge on roof. Found Katie there and talked for a bit.
Later Rebecca showed, Katie left and a bit later Marshall came down from pool area where he had taken a nap (nice cool breeze if you stayed out of sun). Rebecca left and I went to get camera for sunset photos. After that wrote in this to burn time till dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Later Rebecca showed, Katie left and a bit later Marshall came down from pool area where he had taken a nap (nice cool breeze if you stayed out of sun). Rebecca left and I went to get camera for sunset photos. After that wrote in this to burn time till dinner at 7:00 p.m.
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| Sunset in Luxor over Nile from roof top pool deck. |
Went down to the room and took a shower. Then repacked my stuff into my new bag. After that I went down to the shop and bought another book (80 Egyptian pounds) and a book of various Egyptian stamps for 45 Egyptian pounds. Sami also found me there and gave me my obelisk from the day before.
I ran everything up to the room (which was locked, so had to go get key and then back up) and stowed them in bag.
Went down to dinner. Sami gave us our train tickets and described the rest of the night. Dinner was another buffet. Had pasta soup, potatoes, chicken, macaroni & cheese?, some kind of fish and some beef in sauce. Drank a Coke.
After dinner went to shop and found an old mint sheet of Tutankhamun stamps from 1971. Got them for 20 Egyptian pounds. Put them in room and then came up to roof to stay cool. Took some photos and wrote in here.
Wandered back and forth from room to roof to keep cool. Finally the time came to put bags in the hall for the porters to pickup. Waited down in lobby with rest of group till bags were all brought down. Porters loaded luggage onto mini-bus and we made our way to Luxor train station. Got bags and went through security, drop stuff to await train. Walked down and bought some water (5 Egyptian pounds) and talked till train arrived. Boarded train, stowed bags and talked a bit till train pulled out of station about 11:30 p.m.
*Note that I was able to verify that when we arrive in Cairo I will be able to take bags to the Pharaoh's hotel and then will join a party from another group on a day trip to Alexandria. This 10 hour extension will cost 190 Egyptian pounds. Should see the museum, catacombs, sunset near citadel, free time and dinner somewhere if we like before return to Cairo. Afterwards may go spend a bit of time with the others at the Buddha Bar for a drink and to say farewell.*
I ran everything up to the room (which was locked, so had to go get key and then back up) and stowed them in bag.
Went down to dinner. Sami gave us our train tickets and described the rest of the night. Dinner was another buffet. Had pasta soup, potatoes, chicken, macaroni & cheese?, some kind of fish and some beef in sauce. Drank a Coke.
After dinner went to shop and found an old mint sheet of Tutankhamun stamps from 1971. Got them for 20 Egyptian pounds. Put them in room and then came up to roof to stay cool. Took some photos and wrote in here.
Wandered back and forth from room to roof to keep cool. Finally the time came to put bags in the hall for the porters to pickup. Waited down in lobby with rest of group till bags were all brought down. Porters loaded luggage onto mini-bus and we made our way to Luxor train station. Got bags and went through security, drop stuff to await train. Walked down and bought some water (5 Egyptian pounds) and talked till train arrived. Boarded train, stowed bags and talked a bit till train pulled out of station about 11:30 p.m.
*Note that I was able to verify that when we arrive in Cairo I will be able to take bags to the Pharaoh's hotel and then will join a party from another group on a day trip to Alexandria. This 10 hour extension will cost 190 Egyptian pounds. Should see the museum, catacombs, sunset near citadel, free time and dinner somewhere if we like before return to Cairo. Afterwards may go spend a bit of time with the others at the Buddha Bar for a drink and to say farewell.*
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