Category: Slice of Life

Today was yet another highlight of our trip to Egypt. It really feels like every day has been one. We boarded a small airplane at Aswan Airport for a short flight to visit the temples at Abu Simbel. The massive carvings made an immediate impression, and the interior details were absolutely breathtaking.

As stunning as the carvings were, what truly left me dumbfounded was learning that the entire complex was moved piece by piece in 1968 to save it from being submerged by the newly formed Lake Nasser. The mountain that the temples appear to be carved into is actually artificial. I never would have guessed, as it looks completely natural.

Abu Simbel is often billed as a must see, and I wholeheartedly agree. The short plane ride was a small inconvenience for the chance to experience such an unforgettable, bucket-list site.

Another day where we truly stepped back through time. We descended into the tombs of Pharaohs Tutankhamun and Seti I in the Valley of the Kings outside of Luxor. The artwork on the walls was the most amazing we had seen yet, with depictions of animal headed gods, intricate hieroglyphs, and beautiful designs. We even saw some unfinished artwork, which made it fascinating to spot the sketchwork done before the paint was applied. I could have stayed down there for hours just gazing at the walls and ceilings.

In the afternoon, we visited the Temple of Hatshepsut. The scale and design of the temple are impressive, and I thought the statues of her with a beard were especially cool. Her story is very interesting!

Back aboard the Thoth, we enjoyed an evening performance by a whirling dervish. It was my first time seeing one in person, and I was completely blown away. I honestly do not know how they can spin for so long. It seems like it would cause permanent inner ear damage, right?

Before falling asleep, I put on a documentary about King Tutankhamun on the cabin television. I barely made it ten minutes before nodding off. This would become my routine for the next few nights.

Our ship departed Luxor this morning and arrived in Qena around noon. From there, we headed out on a shore excursion to the Dendera Temple complex. It is massive and incredibly impressive. It is hard to put into words the feeling you get while walking among these ancient structures. It truly feels like stepping back in time, and it was wonderfully surreal.

After our visit, we returned to the ship for dinner and enjoyed a welcome toast with the crew. It felt so nice to come back to our little home on the Nile.