WEDNESDAY 13TH JUNE 2012. {11,000 Nautical Miles from
Home}
After three days of hot hazy weather and smooth sailing through the
doldroms and the pirate infested areas
of the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then the Red Sea we arrived safely
without incident in the sea port of Safaga the Gateway of Egypt. The day was hot,
about 40 degrees but a very clear day.
In beautiful clear skies, 36 buses from the ship, left at 7-30am in
convoy with an armed escort for a 14 hour day to visit Luxor, Karnak and the
Valley of the Kings. We had a three and a half hour trip to Luxor firstly
through rugged and barren mountain ranges, then through sandy treeless desert before reaching the river Nile and the Valley
of the Kings on the west bank.
We entered the Valley of the Kings in searing heat of about 45 degrees
and visited the Tombs of the Pharaohs, Ramses III, IV and the IX. All excellent
viewing and well worth the visit. It was absolutely incredible how the ancient Egyptians
managed these feats. The only downside was that you were not allowed to take
cameras into the valley, hence no photographs as a reminder.
The Temple of Karnack was a sight to behold, absolutely awesome, and
again you have to wonder how they were built in ancient times. Plenty of
photographs this time.
The Temple of Luxor, was a smaller version of Karnak ,but just as
awesome with plenty of time to explore.
The day was finished off with a magnificent late buffet lunch at a
hotel in Luxor before another three and a half hour trip back to the the ship
arriving about 9-30 pm absolutely stuffed and worn out.
PS: Since our last visit to Egypt, it has not changed, it is still a
grubby and dirty place, but this did not detract from the great day it turned
out to be.
Although worn out we are looking forward to another long day tomorrow
for our visit to Aqaba and the lost city of Petra.
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