Day
12 - Lotus Hotel Luxor, Karnak and Pizza Hut.
Check in Lotus Hotel Luxor
We arrived two hours late into Luxor and transfered to the Lotus Hotel, which we think is owned by the Egyptian Army. New and modern, the service is a little spartan as it would be, and the beds are very firm. The breakfast is OK, the hotel seems fairly empty so they have limited the choices at breakfast buffet table, but I think you can always order omelettes or eggs.
Lotus Hotel - Luxor
Egyptians are not big breakfast eaters and I think they are mystified at the Western habit of eating a large meal to start the day. Probably to get a real selection you will have to stay at a 5 star hotel.
Anyway, the Lotus is located on the road out of Luxor that leads to the bridge across to the West Bank, and is very convenient. There is a pool and a dock at the back of the hotel on the Nile. They had laundry and a safe deposit box, so no real complaints.
Eman and I were met at the station by a driver, who got us settled in at the Lotus and then took us to Karnak.
Changes at Karnak
Karnak has changed amazingly. When we were here 18 months ago they were tearing down houses all around Karnak. Now you can see what they wanted.
They have created a large ceremonial plaza in front of Karnak that extends down to the Nile with only the Corniche road breaking its progress.
Restored Ceremonial Plaza Karnak
Now, when you look across the Nile from the entrance of Karnak, you can see Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple which was built around an older sacred site to Amun.
During Pharonic times there was a regular progression of the god Amun to Luxor Temple and then to the other side of Nile to the sacred site at Deir el Bahri, Hatshepsut's Temple site.
Avenue of Sphinxes Karnak
Open Air Museum and White Chapel.
Eman and I headed straight for the Open Air Museum at Karnak, where we visited the block yard and the White Chapel. The White Chapel.
The White Chapel of Sensworet and the Red Chapel of Tututmosis III and Hatshepsut have been restored and are the Jewels of Karnak. Most people miss seeting them on their tour. You can download our Screensaver of the Jewels of Karnak at Pixel Paradox.
The White Chapel
Restoration is going on all the time. They have restored some of the pillars of the Colonade of
Tharqa. This colonade is in the first courtyard and would have been covered to provide shade.
Intriguing Blocks in the Block Yard - Open Air Museum Karnak
In the block yard we discovered a cartouche for Hatshepsut and some other beautiful carvings.
Cartouche of Hatshepsut - Block Yard Karnak
We were able to get a close up look at the White Chapel.
We walked around the outer wall back to the chapel of the hearing ear, which has nothing to do with ears. We walked back to Domitians gate beyond which is thought to be the site of Akhenaten's Sun Temple.
We saw the love statue of Mut and Amun and walked back beside the lake. I made a movie of the people walking around the scarab. This is a new tourist custom, based on the belief that the locals did this to ensure something or other. Don't think it is true.
"Love Statue" of Mut and Amon - Karnak
Noon is a great time to photo reliefs in the hypostyle hall, got some good shots of the reliefs of the Barque of Amun traveling on the Nile.. Also made a movie of the columns with the call to prayers in the background.
Barque of Amon on the Nile - Wall Interior Karnak
We ate lunch at a restaurant on the river. Had rice, blackeyed peas, chick peas, beef goulash.
Went to Hossam's for tea and met his wife. Cakes and mint tea.
Back to the Lotus Hotel. Later Eman and I walked down to the Pizza Hut for dinner.
|
