Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Great Temple Of Karnak at Thebes

Leaving our wonderful little boat the Neptune which had developed engine problems.....
...........For the Hour Long Drive to Luxor...................

..............Where along the way JoAnn discovered a personal AC Unit..............
To the Temple of Karnak in the city once known as Thebes.

This is a MASSIVE STRUCTURE! Basically most of Dutch Harbor/Unalaksa would fit within the temple precinct that once linked the Temple of Karnak to the Temple of Luxor
As Hot as it was 110+ we pressed on, inspired by the wonder before us.
The Beginning of the Avenue of the Ram Headed Sphinx's..........which the Egyptian Government is restoreing and excvacating right through the Heart of Luxor to link the temples as in Ancient Times. Over Two miles Long, with the Sphinx's placed not more than 6 feet apart.







Ramassess II had some issues, I think. Between Abu Simbel, This Collumn, The Hypostyle Hall, and all the Giant Statues everywhere of him a therapist could have a field day!

Tutmoses III; Grandfather of King Tut




Ramassess II Again.
Ramasses II also went to great trouble to have his name carved as deeply as possible in each of the 134 Collums in the Hall.

And on some of the cross-beams Brillian color can still be seen.


The Shorter Obilisk is Queen Hatshepsut's, the one in the Back, The Really big one.........You guessed it: Ramassess II




The Holy of Holies in the Inner Sanctum


Some amazing Carvings exist here as well.






CB,
And Sash, Posing like Egyptians..........
Ramassess II.
SO THAT'S what all the Fuss is about!!!!
Parts of the Temple are closed off but.......................
...............You Know.........................
..................a Little $$$$$ Goes a long way....................
A Statue of Queen Hatchepsut.........Not exactly available for regular viewing.





Alexander? Again? You have some explaining to do once I get back home!


Head By Sash, Body by Ancient Scribe..........
Ok Ramassess II, I love you big guy!





Ok, the Obilisk is Pretty awesome.












Some other "photos of questionalble legality"............................$$$
...........But Sekhmet is just too Cool!!!!!









Just Imagine this above linked by a two mile walkway like this!!



As the Sun goes down the lights come on and a Hot Busy Day comes to an End.

I just can not tell you how cool this trip is!

On the Bus to The Red Sea in the morning so no post till the late afternoon my time, early AM yours.

CB

11 comments:

mamawas said...

personal A/C!!
thanks so much for these vacation sharings Brian

Donna

Reading said...

the pictures are spectacular...I can tell you are having a wonderful time...

Diane G. said...

Very cool! So glad you are having a great time on your trip! This reminds me of the Inca ruins in Peru that I visited. The detail and magnitude of the temples and grounds created by the ancients is just too awesome for words!

Kimi said...

wow. Im really enjoying this tour of Egypt. Love the AC. It almost looks like you have lost a little bit of weight on your trip.

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Those were GREAT photos and thanks for sharing them with us.

My favorite was the one of you with arms crossed.

Might we be able to score a photo of you (I'm going to end up regretting this, I suspect) "walking like an Egyptian"?

Sorry. Had to akx.

BZ

Margrita said...

CB the walkway is incredible the two temples joined is something. Ramassess II did have this fixation on having huge statues also making sure his name would last for all time. I like the overview of the complex in the model gives you an idea of what the whole complex contains. A little $$$ does get one some great access to areas that have some awesome sights. You get great pictures and see some of the historical ruins. Sorry your boat had engine problems hope the new one is better. Have a great trip to the Red Sea.

rubyg236 said...

what a great place to be

rubyg236 said...

well what great pic you have my sister in law said you look like me lol

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing all those pics. Brings back memories of my own trip to Egypt. I have been twice now. On my second trip, my dream came true of being in the big pyramid all by myself, which is usually impossible, given the tourists. There was a power outage, everybody came out, I went in, and was in there for about 40 mins, alone, in the dark, omg, it was a once in a lifetime dream come true.

Anonymous said...

Hey CB. Are you lost again? We get worried when we do not hear from you. Veda

Anonymous said...

Wheres "Waldo"