Luxor, Egypt - December 2011

We left Aswan for Luxor on Dec. 5 on a shared mini van.  It was a three hour ride along the Nile with stops at temples Kom Ombo and Edfu.  We were impressed with how lush the fields were along the Nile. Sugar cane, corn, cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables are growing nicely in the oasis while the rest of the countryside was a barren desert.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is newer than many, having been built in the 2nd century BC.  Edfu is halfway between Aswan & Luxor and is considered a sacred site to the Egyptians.  It has the Temple of Horus, the falcon God. 



Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo



Edfu

 Our Luxor hotel was on the west side of the Nile.  Public ferry crossing the Nile cost 1 Egyptian pound or $0.17.  The Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak are located right in the center of town, on the east bank of the Nile.  The Valley of the Kings and other tomb sites are located on the west bank of the Nile.  We hired a taxi to drive us around the various sites.  On our last day in Luxor, we drove more than two hours to Abydos to see the Temple of Orisis.  All along the way there were military check points and we had a police escort the last few miles to the temple.  On the way back to Luxor, we stopped at the Dendara to see the Temple of Hathorn, a goddess of music and musicians. 




Temple of Karnak



Scarab at Karnak

One evening in Luxor, I cashed in my birthday present, a nice dinner at the Winter Palace hotel.  This hotel is over 100 years old and has been home to royalty, the rich and famous.


Winter Palace Hotel



Dinner at the Winter Palace



The alternative to fine dining is McDelivery