Ireland and Scotland, 2005
In 2007 Ron and Carol spent 11 days in
Egypt on a great river cruise of Lake Nasser and the Nile.
Map of Trip.
Cairo - Marriott. Where Ron and Carol stayed. Formerly was the Palace Al Gezira. It was built by Khedive Ismail for the Suez Canal inauguration celebrations in 1869.
Giza - The Pyramids - Our tour group consisted of only 8 people and the guide. The couples in the back are Bryce and Lea Westgate from New Zealand, Ron and Carol (of course), Jim and Jean Velyan from Canada. The two ladies in the middle are Sharon Marconi and Bonnie Eberly from Illinois. And last, but not least, is Dr. Ahmed Mostafa who, without any question, is the best guide in Egypt.
Giza - Next to the Great Pyramid. This wood boat was entombed next to the Great Pyramid. A marvel of engineering, it was buried as the pyramid was built. Breath taking.
Abu Simbel - In the very south of Egypt, now lifted and on Lake Nasser. Built by Ramses II (the Great).
Wadi-al-Sabua. A temple on Lake Nasser. The temple was built
by Amenhotep III (18th Dynasty) was dedicated principally to the Nubian form of
the god Horus. The camels Ron and Carol rode on can be seen in front.
Wadi El Sebou Temple (in the background) - Ron and Carol taking a camel ride between Wadi El Sebou and Dakka Temples. (About a mile.)
Philae - No longer at the island of Philae, which was inundated by the Aswan Dams, every stone was transported to the nearby island of Aglika. The oldest structures date back to 4th century BC.
Philae Temple. From the front.
Edfu Temple. Carol and Horus. She is on the err... left! This is a Ptolemaic period temple was raised for Horus
Nile at Aswan - rapids.
Aswan - Quarry - This is the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan. It would have been the largest obelisk ever, but broke while being undercut.
Between stops, Ron and Carol would spend hours setting at the window in our cabin with a camera, binoculars, compass, map and hot tea. River cruising is just great!
Luxor - Colossi of Memnon - Built by Amenhotep III (18th Dynasty) to guard a temple. All that remains now are two 23 meter (75 ft) high, one thousand ton statues of him. (Yes, that is a real hot air balloon.)
Luxor - Karnak Temple - Avenue of the Sphinx that connects Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple about 1 mile away. Recently the way has been completely cleared all the way toe Karnak.
Kom Ombo Temple on the Nile. This is a 'Nile-o-meter'. During the yearly flood, the height of the water would be measured, and using this information the taxes would be adjusted. More water meant better crops meant more taxes.
Luxor - Karnak Tempe - The Giant Scarab Statue. You walk around it three times for luck and Ron and Carol did. Karnak Temple is the largest and most complex temple in the world. Books have been written on this one temple.
Memphis (modern Mit Rahina) - Museum of Memphis - Large, beautiful red granite statue of Ramses II.
Valley of the Kings - Hatshepsut's Temple - Beautiful temple built by the female pharoah Hatshepsut.
Valley of the Kings - Hatshepsut's Temple - A temple for goddess Hathor. She is now one of Ron's favorites. (Maybe she looks like Carol?)
Giza - Carol caught in the act.
Cairo - It has a metropolitan area
population of officially about 16.1 million people. On work days, they are all
on the motorways. All of them are friendly and glad to have you visit their
beautiful country.