Absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

and, once again we awake to the sun God

a new dawn...a new day...I'm tellin' you...it's unbelievable..

*******

our hotel in Luxor is really gorgeous and the sights are divine

like these herons at the River Nile.

and these other views over the Nile

hot air balloons

in the lobby

a table cloth at the pool area

near the pool

outside

then we get into our van with our guide Mahmud & we're good to go

Luxor is much cleaner than Cairo. Much more of a resort town. Traffic is sparse. The only thing that can be said of the country that is common everywhere is that the beggers and street people try to get'cha everywhere you go...you have to learn to say "la la la" it means No..No..No...

AND ALWAYS CARRY TOILET PAPER WITH YOU EVERYWHERE OR YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM TO HAND IT TO YOU !!!!

la la la la la

*******

so...let's start with yesterday...what I have waited for my whole life...to actually SEE the tombs of the Pharoahs and the hieroglyphics.

HOLY MOSES !!!

now...let me be clear...it's a no no to take pix in the underground tombs....'nuff said...You have to turn in your camera before you go in..but..alas..I always have my cell phone hidden.....well...I am bad....I almost got thrown out & was accosted by a guard....& here I thought I was being so, so, so careful....I was thinking of my friend Connie at home just dying for more pictures....

so...how could I not share this...I had to try

after all....This is the REAL thing...and...they are HUGE !

the guard chased me around the sarcophagus ..I handed off my cell phone to Carol who fielded me.....& round and round we went...Connie...Are you paying attention...!!??

If Rabbi is reading this I know he is having the last laugh because he knows me.....I do not even go in a rest room without my camera !!!

shame on me...I know. Rules !!!

*****

here's part of a tomb not yet fully excavated

then...we go on to the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut..(which mean Foremost of Noble Ladies) on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings. She was the Pharoah for about 22 years they believe. They say she was one of the most prolific builders in Egypt.

following most of Egypts greats she too had monuments constructed in Karnak. Here is some wonderful history on her.

just imagine this if you will...this temple is built into a rock...it is dedicated to the sun God Amun-Ra.

  you often ee her wearing a 'false beard'. This is a symbol of her rank as Pharoah

and, speaking previously of Karnak....we were there too..during the day AND for a night light show...which was terrific

but..I will cover that in much more detail tomorrow....actually after I get home...you didn't think I'd leave you hangin' did ya?? The daytime pictures will blow you away....

 

now.....here is a bit more of the local flavor...

Yes there is always either a McDonalds, Pizza Hut or a KFC somewhere

they even serve pancake syrup that reminds us of home cause we have Shop Rite where we live !!

so stay with me and you'll get to see more of THIS

Comments

[Annette]

Your photos bring back memories of our trip to Egypt--the most fabulous trip ever! I wish I'd been brave enough to take photos inside the tombs as you did, though at the time I didn't even have a digital camera! Thanks for sharing your photos and trip.

[Sharon]

You are so naughty!! Haha...you had me cracking up...totally a FUN visual of you sneaking pics with a guard hot on your trail. THANK YOU for sharing your A-m-a-z-i-n-g vacation with us. I say we all chip in and send you on another trip! :)

[Connie McGinnis]

My husband wondered what I was up to. I've been glued to my computer for days. I've ooohed and aaahed, I've gasped, and I've giggled. There were many Wow's!. I think he was a bit afraid I had discovered porn sites! When I showed hin your latest pics and told him about your trip, he pulled up his chair and enjoyed your journey from beginning to end. Thanks again for sharing with us.

Connie in TN

[Pat Krauchune]

Suze, if you get a chance to go to a pharmacy, get yourself some EarPlanes...they go in your ears, like ears plugs, and will really do the job with the cold you have...I always use them when I fly. Love the pics you took with your camera...you are way too funny, I can just see you runny from the guards....run Forrest run!

[Linda Cain]

I've always loved Egypt, ever since I saw Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor for 35 cents. I was in 7th grade! You've done wonderful things with your camera. Taken us to many places. Let us see fabulous scenes and amazing people. Thank you for all of that. You're a treasure.

Just a note, my son's HS marching band, of which I am so proud, just made the semi finals at Indy in the Bands of America Grand National Championships doing their show "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." It is fantastic and brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. The Jewish League from Peoria came to see it and they loved it. Extremely touching to have them make the trip.

Be Well, and hope you're feeling better,
Linda

[Lee]

btw--how do they keep the COLORS so vibrant??? they look freshly painted instead of centuries old. Were any of the tombs open (well, glassed) somehow so you could SEE any wrapped mummies??

[Lee]

I almost hate to see your vacation ending. This has been the most exciting, education, humorous, wonderful days of blogging...sigh. I so would have loved to see you running away from a guard! man, to have lost the phone with pics....it is a wonder you weren't jailed. lol. I can't wait to see more! You will need to write a BOOK!!! It would be great!!
It sounds like you got some of your energy back!

[Kathyk]

I had a similar incident in the catacombs near Rome, Suze! Fair play for persevering! and sharing your fabby pix with us again. Where are you going next?

Kathyk

[JoZarty]

Oh! Suze....That's the best laugh I've had in ages at the idea of you being chased by the guard. With your unique hairstyle I'm amazed they didn't catch you. What a treat for us (and Connie) to share those illicit photos and aren't you lucky to still have your phone. I hope they don't find out about your blog!!
Can't you stay another couple of weeks just for us?
JoZarty x

[Kathy Gledsdale]

You take me right back to my youth with this journey of yours. I was young and slim and although I thought it was amazing, I think at that age I just didn't understand just how really amazing it really was! So thank you for the journey back in time Suze and I hope you are feeling much better now. Oh and make sure your nose and ears are clear before you fly home, spray something up your nose to clear it, otherwise it can damage your hearing and we don't want anything happening to you do we!

[carmi]

wow wow wow!!
You are like a spy with the photo taking!

[Melanie K]

Thank you so very much for sharing these with us. I want to go there and always have since I was a little girl. To BE there ... blows me away. Thank you!

[Bonnie Luhman]

What a fabulous holiday you have had Suze. The pictures of the morning sun from your hotel is so awesome!

Your story of being chased around was so precious. I could picture it....What was Lenny doing while the chase was on???? :o)

You are quite a photographer. You have a good eye for taking artistic shots that is for sure. Are you bringing home some soil from the homeland and Egypt?

I hope you are feeling better for your long journey home.

Bonnie in Red Wing

[Helen Lindfield]

What amazing photos again - I have this picture of you running round too! Well done for getting them. Stunning! What a wonderful place. I am going to miss this holiday of yours when it's over, LOL!

[Elaine Allen]

Suze -

I can't stop laughing at the picture you painted of being chased around by the guard! You are just too funny. Fabulous pictures though, I am floored by how beautiful they are. Thank you so much for risking life and limb to take them for us - LOL!!

Elaine Allen