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This vacation was very special because the kids came with us. Here is Deborah... |
and here is Jason. After a long flight from Tulsa, they both look ready for Egypt. After checking in to our hotel in Gezira Village on the West Bank of the Nile. Hassan, our guide, took us to Karnak, on the East Bank Above is the Avenue of Sphinxes. |
Many of the main roads which lead to the temples at Luxor used to be lined with sphinxes. Those which flank the entrance of the First Pylon of Karnak combine the body of a lion with the head of a ram. The ram was a symbol of the god Amun for whom the temple was built. Each sphinx protects, between its forelegs, a standing statue of the king--Ramses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.).
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In the center of this first court are the ruins of the kiosk of Taharqa (690-664 B.C.), one column (middle ground, right) of which is complete. Beyond the kiosk before the Second Pylon are two standing statues of Ramses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.). After the Second Pylon, the columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall can be seen.
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The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple was begun during the reign of King Seti I (c.1290-1279 B.C.) and was completed by his son, Ramses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.). The central row of 12 columns on the east-west axis are 69 feet/21 meters in height, and have open papyrus flower capitals.
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Here are those intrepid travelers posing in the Hypostyle Hall. |
The 122 columns in the side aisles of the hall are 43 feet/13 meters in height, 27.5 feet/8.4 meters in circumference, and have closed papyrus-bud capitals. The difference in height between the central and the side aisle columns was used to provide natural light through clerestory windows
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It was interesting to see that almost every available surface was covered with heiroglyphics. Many surfaces retained their original colors. |
Now here's an interesting shot. Why do I have my hand cupped by my ear? Am I trying to learn more about that fertility god carved on the wall?
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Our guide billed these carvings and others in the same area as the world's first botanical garden. |
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This statue of the Egyptian goddess Sekmet is still venerated today by many visitors to Karnak. They say it imparts special energy. |
This fallen obelisk was originally ordered constructed by Queen Hatshepsut (1479-1457 B.C.). The stone for Egypt's granite monuments was quarried at Aswan and floated by barge up the Nile. |
Here is the tip of the obelisk. The very top of an obelisk was normally sheathed in electrum, an alloy of gold, silver and copper. It would shine as it caught the first rays of the sun. |
Beyond the Third Pylon and in the Central Court of Karnak Temple is the Obelisk of Thutmose I (c.1493-1479 B.C.). This is the last of four obelisks which originally stood in front of the Fourth Pylon, which, in the time of Thutmose I, was the entrance into Karnak Temple. The obelisk is 71 feet/21.7 meters in height, sits on a base 6 feet/1.8 meters square, and weighs about 143 tons.
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The sacred lake at Karnak is 129 x 77 meters and was used for ritual navigation. It was surrounded by storerooms and living quarters for the priests. There was also an aviary for aquatic birds.
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After visiting the Temple of Karnak we stopped to have lunch. We saw several large cruise ships on the Nile. |
The Temple of Luxor. This is the main entry with statues, obelisk and pylon of Ramses II. |
One of the colossol statues of Ramses II. |
This is our guide Hassan reading the heiroglyphs. The carving at center symbolizes the union of upper and lower Egypt. |
The Court of Ramses II. |
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Court of Amenhotep III (1387-1349 B.C.). |
Photo taken from the rooftop of our hotel in Gezira Village. |
Photo taken from the rooftop of our hotel toward the mountains of the Western Valleys. Riding a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings has become a popular tourist attraction. |
Viewing the sunrise over Luxor from our hotel's roof. |
Closup of sugarcane fields near our hotel. |
