Friday 30-05 part 1- Karnak

Friday reached 40 degrees. It was sweltering. We checked out of the ship and started the day at the colosi of memnon – two large seated figues, each cut out of a single piece of stone.



Then to the valley of the kings. Our ticket got us into our pick of 3 tombs in the valley, except for king tuts (which was far to expensive to warrant going, like US$100 or something). I went into Ramses I, III and IV. My favourite was the first. His tomb was a lot smaller but the walls werent behind glass like the others. The colours of the painted walls were so strong they could have been painted yesterday. Amazing vibrant colours with delicate detail. Each finger and toe had a small dab of white paint for a nail. The cushions were patterned. A man was painted wearing a leopard skin with detailed spots and and fluffy tail. I stood there and took it all in as other tourists passed me by. It was like being at an art gallery. It made me smile.

Stepping out of the tomb into the sun really hits you. It was only 10am and was going to get even hotter. The tombs of Ramses III and IV were larger, but the paint wasn't is as good condition. The walls were behind glass and felt more distant. Also, by that time the heat was getting unbearable so we took shelter under a pagoda to wait for the rest of the group to join us.

The air-conditioner on the bus offered a small relief and we drove towards the temple of King Hatshipsuit. This King was actually a woman who sent away her nephew to rule for almost years I think. Then she got assassinated by her nephew. He took power and removed her name carvings and statues from almost everywhere in Egypt. This temple was still very much intact. All only a handful of us braved the heat to see the temple. The rest stayed on the bus in the cold air. It was worth it though, her temple was elegant and dramatic. We stayed out there as long as we could and then panted back to the bus to join the others, but with the smug satisfaction of people who weren't letting a little heat get the best of them.





Next was the temple complex of Karnak. It was one of the best sites of the trip.



It was would have been nice though if the weather had allowed us to appreciate it more. We walked around the massive groups half on auto pilot. The one section was full of massive, massive decorated columns.



These were followed by giant obelisks and even more incredible pieces.





Every pharoh that reined added something to this place, which is almost like a small town. I didnt get to the very end of the complex, but I don't think any of our group did. The heat won and we retreated, tails between our legs, to the bus and sweet relief. We only got two thirds of the way through it, but I think we saw at the best parts.

On the way to the hotel we stopped by an alabaster gallery. We looked at the wares on show, but few were feeling it. Everyone was hungry and tired. On the way back to bus the stone workers called Eeno and I over and gave each of us a small chunk of alabaster. It must have been bits that weren't of any use to them. I was surprised at how heavy the stone was.