We ended our Nile Cruise at Luxor last night, and this morning we visited the Valley of the Kings. First viewing was of the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of King Amenhotep III which are the most substantial remains of a complete mortuary temple. From there we saw the nearby Queen Hatshepsut (hat cheap suit!!) Temple which is the most beautiful and best reserved temple in ancient Egypt,  built on three levels which reminded us a little of the inside of the forbidden city in Beijing.

We then traveled a short distance to the Valley of the Kings, the burial site of around 20 of the kings from the 18th to 20th dynasty. It is the home of tombs including the great pharaoh Ramses II as well as the boy pharaoh Tutankhamen. The decoration in the three tombs we were able to visit (Ramses III, Ramses IX and Ramses IV) were very well preserved.

Tomorrow it’s Karnak and Luxor Temples….

Colossi of Memnon

L P at Colossi

L P at Hatshepsut Temple

Queen Hatshepsut Temple

Tomb of Ramses III

Tomb of Ramses III

Tomb of Ramses III

Tomb of Ramses IX

Pied Kingfisher at Luxor

Hoopoe at Luxor