We fully intended on getting up and out early on our second day. The heat of the day was enervating – hovering close to 110F by midday. It was closer to midmorning by the time we got ourselves organized to go out, but we didn’t let it stop us. We were determined to see the Temple of Karnak.
It wasn’t an easy outing. We took the shuttle boat from our hotel into town, intending to then take a taxi. I only thought the taxi drivers in Cairo were obnoxious. I *almost* had to admire the relentlessness with which we were pursued by taxi drivers and horse drawn carriages – I say almost because it reached a point where their aggressive haggling was scaring the children. Why didn’t we just take a taxi as intended? Because for a time every driver we encountered was asking 3x the normal rate for the ride. We did eventually find a more reasonable driver but only after having walked about 1/3 of the way ourselves.
The entrance to the Temple of Karnak is lined with rams headed sphinxes. And you know I took more pictures!! It’s just amazing to think that these were each individually made.
I love the small people figures below the beards.
I was lucky to get so many nice pictures that make it look as if we had the place to ourselves – in fact, this is what it looked like in the hypostyle hall – the heat did not deter anyone!
There are 134 massive columns in the hypostyle hall, each heavily decorated with hyroglyphics. This was once roofed and also ornately painted. It’s hard to imagine when it’s already so lovely as it is.
And here is a bit of modern graffiti – added only the day before our visit. I’ll never understand what moves people to deface ancient ruins…
The sacred lake.
A lovely stairway to a now vanished area of the temple complex
A tranquil temple near the rear of the complex where you can still see the remains of paint on the columns and roof. It took us a while to get back this far so we had it mostly to ourselves.
The end of the temple complex – but apparently not the end of the temple. According to our Lonely Planet guide book, this temple was once connected to the Temple of Luxor by a 3km avenue lined with sphinxes – most of which lies beneath the modern city of Luxor. Imagine what that must have looked like! I really could have taken pictures of sphinxes all day!
Alas, we did not get to see the sound and light show in the evening. Perhaps the next time we are in Luxor.
Tomorrow: Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir al-Bahri plus bonus pictures from along the Nile.
The pics are sooooo wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing, Jenyfer!
by Anny Cook April 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pmH. adores Miss Jenn’s travelogues! Welcome back!
by Anonymous April 30th, 2008 at 3:48 pmAwesome photos. The sphinxes are cool. It must have looked amazing in its heyday.
by Shelley Munro April 30th, 2008 at 7:51 pm