The Valley of the Kings
Trip Start
Aug 09, 2008
1
30
34
Trip End
Sep 16, 2008
Luxor,
Egypt
Monday, September 8, 2008
Still when we get there it is approx 30 degrees. I'm glad it's not midday. It seems to be the thing to do to arrive early, as there are about 20 busloads of tourists already here.
At the entrance, we board an electric cart to ride most of the way up the hill. It's not a long trip, but if we had walked up, we would have baked before reaching the drop off point before the first tombs.
Abdallah, tells us very colourful and interesting facts and history about the various tombs of Ramses II, VI, Thutmosis I, II, III, IV, Seti, and of course Tutankhamen to name a few. It is absolutely fascinating history. The first tomb we enter is Ramses IV. The entrance way has a high ceiling, covered in stars, and all along the corridor to the burial chamber is covered with Hieroglyphics. The tomb is empty but the covering the walls are better preserved Hieroglyphics.
I entered the Tomb of Tutankhamen next
The Valley of the Kings
. It cost an extra 80 Egyptian Pounds to enter his tomb. It is narrower than Ramses IV, but in the burial chamber is the mummy of Tutankhamen himself. Again the walls and ceiling are adorned with Hieroglyphics.Finally, I enter the tomb of Thutmosis III. It is one of the deeper tombs. Access to it is via a narrow, step, stairwell that leads down to the first chamber. From there, there are more stairs that lead to a further chamber deeper within. In all, 78 steps deep within the valley. As per the other 2 tombs, this one is just as ornate, and very hot within.
It is after I visit this tomb, that our group departs the Valley of the Kings. It is approx 9am and the temperature has risen to the late 30's.
Next stop the temple of Hatshepsute. Another example of a magnificent temple situated 45mins walk thru the Valley of the Kings. Naturally, we didn't walk it in the heat and cheated by taking the air-conditioned bus. Statues, Facades, courtyards, Hieroglyphics are this temple, that is built up against the mountains on the west bank. We spent approx 1 hour there looking around and taking in the view of the district of Karnak from the steps of the temple. One of our group caught one of the locals trying to pick his pocket. Next minute we were checking ours to make sure we were not victims. All accounted for thankfully.
The next visit was a quick stop to take pictures of two giant statues, before heading back to the cruise ship and begin sailing to Edfu through the Esna Locks.
Up until now I have not mentioned much about the locals who try to sell and then barter their goods on all tourists
Tutankhamen Tomb Entrance
. They try all sorts of tricks to get you to buy, and are quite adept at hassling you. I've learnt three tricks to avoid them. 1) If they give you a free gift, do not accept. Do not even touch it. It is not free. They will hound you until you buy something.
2) Use this phrase; "La ah shokran!" It means "no thank you". If they continue to hassle, just say "la ah" sternly and keep walking, but 99% of the time they will leave you alone.
3) Don't let them see your eyes. They are very good at reading your face for a sign of interest.
With this in mind, I have managed to stay hassle free. While at one of the temples you have to pass the market area where. Someone made the mistake of spending a lot of money with one of the locals. Within seconds that person had another 10 locals swooping down on him to sell their wares. Buyer beware!
We got to the Ship and it set sail while we lunched. The rest of the day was left to ourselves. I went to my cabin to rest. About 2 hours later I was woken by a bang on my cabin window. To my surprise, I found a rowboat with two locals on board trying to latch themselves to the ship, and then sell their goods. They would attach themselves then throw their goods onto the top deck and start negotiating a price. Lucky me opened his cabin window, and got a dress thrown in the face. I couldn't help laughing but threw it back. I looked upstream to see about 30 more rowboats about to try the same thing. I went topside to watch and honestly, it has to be one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen
Rameses VI Tomb Entrance
. Goods were flying onto the deck, and quickly thrown back, some not making it home, but in the water to cries of "You owe me money!" I think not sunshine!Within half an hour we were at the locks at Esna, and the rowboats tried the next ship coming. It didn't stop there. From the lock, kids would throw onboard film canisters filled with sand and ask for money to be thrown back. Currency of choice is Euros. I decided to be cheeky and put a cigarette butt in the canister instead. Threw back away from the kid, who looked disappointed, but tried again. I don't feel mean, not after getting a dress thrown in my face through my cabin window when the ship is sailing in the middle of the Nile.
Finally we are through the locks and we continue to sail onto Edfu where we stay for the night.
Dinner is at 8pm then Bingo is at 10pm. Bingo and I haven't played together since I was a boy. Most of our group decided to play, as did many members of the two other groups on board. There are 3 18ct gold pendants as prizes. I got the first line, yelled "BINGO" and won the first pendant that is the Egyptian Symbol for Long Life. Members of our group also won the other two prizes.
It's been a long day.
