Egypt Travelogue – Luxor Day Three

On Day Three, we bid farewell to the amazing staff at the Al Moudira Hotel and headed to Luxor’s East Bank. Our hotel for the night–Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa was gorgeous and located right on the river.

LUXOR HILTON RESORT & SPA

KARNAK TEMPLE

Karnak Temple is huge! The stone pillars are very tall and truly a feat of engineering. Apparently, the temple used to have a stone roof as well.

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple: Tate

Karnak Temple: Ram's head sphinx gate

Karnak Temple: Close-up of ram's head sphinx

Karnak Temple: Just inside the entrance

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple: Truly massive obelisk (cut as one piece!)

Karnak Temple: Carved rock stories

Karnak Temple: Ramses statues

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple: Close-up of Ankh symbol

Karnak Temple: Part of the remaining stone ceiling (upper left)

Karnak Temple: Vestiges of color on the column's carvings

Karnak Temple: Column with bee symbol

Karnak Temple: Close-up of the bee symbol

Karnak Temple: Tate

Karnak Temple: Kathy

Karnak Temple: Smaller temple inside

LUXOR TEMPLE

See the single obelisk in front of the entrance? There used to be two, until Napoleon decided to take one home as a souvenir of his time in Egypt. You’ll find it in the center of Paris.

Luxor Temple: Statues guarding the entrance on both sides

Luxor Temple: This is the remaining obelisk; Napoleon carted off the other one!

Luxor Temple: Originally there were two obelisks marking the entrance

Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple: Note the modern section on the right

Luxor Temple: This was just after we were mobbed by a few dozen ten-year olds wanting selfies

Luxor Temple: Late afternoon

Luxor Temple: Vestiges of the colorful paint that adorned the carvings

Luxor Temple: these columns are different from those you typically see

FELUCCA RIDE ON THE NILE

We capped Day Three with a sunset sail on a genuine felucca (ancient sailing vessel). Our captain, Ahmed, was charming and even allowed Tate to steer the boat while we quietly sailed up river and watched the setting sun. His first mate made fresh hot mint tea and hibiscus tea.

Sunset Felucca Ride (Banana Republic leopard print dress)

In the background is Luxor Temple

Captain Ahmed, Hunny Bunny Felucca Tours

First mate making hot tea on the boat

Captain Ahmed lets Tate sail the felucca

Cheers to a lovely sunset sail!

The sun is almost down to the horizon

Sunset on the Nile

BOAT TAXI RIDE ON THE NILE

Tate played deejay AND got to drive the boat for a bit.

ARRIVING AT THE HILTON

Approaching the hotel from the water.

LAST NIGHT: LE MEREDIEN CAIRO AIRPORT

We flew back to Luxor on Thursday morning in preparation for our return to the U.S. on Friday, staying once again at Le Meredien Cairo Airport. In lieu of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, we enjoyed Lebanese cuisine at one of the hotel’s restaurants.

MORE TRAVELOGUES?

ITALY 2001