Day 8 Valley Of The Kings

Sunday March 27^th

Up at 4:30 for a 5:00 start. We loaded up in a van for a short ride to the harbour where we got on a boat for the trip across the Nile from the east side to the west. They served us tea and a Twinkie! Then we got in another van for the ride to the balloon launching site. Yup again! It was offered here at a cheaper price, and the girls wanted to do it and rather that sitting and waiting for them, I went too.

The ride was fantastic, the weather much warmer, the sky sunny and we were up in time to see the sunrise. We floated over fields of crops and farmers and could see the various sites of the Valley of the Kings. There were about twelve other balloons floating about. We rose to 2500 metres for a spectacular view of the whole area.

When we came down for a landing we landed in a farmer's field, but not quite where the ground crew wanted, so they ran out and pulled and guided our balloon to the right place while the pilot kept us about two feet off the ground. Precision flying. The flight lasted forty-five minutes. After that we were given our certificate and an ankh keychain and charm (the symbol for long life). Then we were taken a short distance to met up with Sam and our van.

Next stop was a donkey ride. We each had our own donkey and went for a forty minute ride along a road through the fields and a small village. It was fun riding my donkey and trying to steer him and stop him from eating the crops.

Back in the van for a short ride to the Valley of the Kings. Sam purchased a ticket for us that entitled us entrance to three tombs, Rameses the III, IV and Mernptah. The three of us purchased two more, Rameses the VI and Tutankhamen. Sam gave us a history lesson about the site and what we were about to see. He told us that they New Kingdom Egyptians decided not to build pryamids because of the expense and tomb raiders still found their way in. So they decided to bury their dead in a valley on the west bank where they would be out of sight and reach of most people. They chose the valley because it was hot and dry (good for preserving mummies), it was well hidden and the mountain shape looked like a pyramid. No one is allowed to bring a camera into the site, they must be left in your vehicle. So I bought some postcards and photographed them to make sure I had some memories.

We explored all five tombs and marvelled at the precision engineering of the entrances, walls and the depth of which they dug into the mountain with primary basic tools. One tomb goes in 150 metres! The tunnels all have square corners and are quite wide and tall. The amount of work that went into the digging, the carving of hieroglyphics and the painting of the stories is absolutely amazing. The tombs were overwhelming and incredible. All of this was done to protect their kings from vandals and to assist them in their journey to the afterlife. Then it was all walled up to be seen by no one ever again (except that tomb raiders did find and loot most of the tombs). King Tut's mummy still remains in his tomb.

Then we decided on another option and drove ten minutes to Habu Temple. This is another temple similar to Philae, but larger. It was built by Rameses the III. He built his palace right beside it made out of mud bricks. The temple is special because when the Christians arrived and set up a church in the temple they covered up most of the carvings and paintings. As a result some of the original colour of the paintings has survived to this day. It must have been gorgeous when it was fully painted!

That was the end of our west bank tour and we returned to our neighbourhood. Sam and I returned to the Snack Place for lunch and the girls headed off somewhere else. After lunch Sam took me to a place to have a cartoush made of silver. Then back to the hotel for some chill out time, blog updating and reading. Went to the internet cafe for an hour.

At 7:00 met up with my group and we went next door to a little restaurant for an Italian dinner. Food was quite good and I had a pizza. Back at the hotel we met up with the other Intrepid group that was just leaving for the night train back to Cairo. Had a chance to say goodbye to Peter and Tarla. Then to room for a well deserved sleep.