World's Greatest Open-Air Museum

No one can come to Luxor and not visit the Valley of the Kings.

This ancient city is built on and around the 4000 year old site of ancient Thabes. No where else in Egypt can you find such a concentration of monuments, temples and historic sites. It is truly staggering.

The village of Thebes became the leading centralized powerhouse at the end of the Old Kingdom period under the 11th and 12th dynasty pharaohs, from 1550 to 1069 BC.

First named the Gates of the Kings and the Place of Truth, the Valley of the Kings consist of more than sixty tombs. Although only a select few are open for public viewing, we decided to see the 'top three' tombs due to our budget (you must pay for every tomb you enter).

Yusuf, our 26 year old guide, was very knowledgeable and patient. We were all quite bothered by the intense heat but he kept his cool and explained everything over and over again with a smile.

Our first stop was at the Colossi of Memnon, two 18 m-high statues, one of which was carved from a single piece of rock. The Greeks believed that these statues were of Memnon, who was killed by Achilles in the Trojan War.

We then saw Ramses Tombs IV, I and III, followed by Hatshepsut's Tomb.

Tombs and temples aside, the hordes of tourists were just as interesting to look at.

After returning to Rezeiky Camp, we had a late lunch and a swim in the pool. Due to the multiple flea bites I received last night (again!), I decided that it was time to take out our DOOM can and completely spray the inside of our tent along with the mattress on both sides. Up until now I've been reluctant to use the DOOM, not wanting to breathe in the chemicals while we sleep. But these fleas are becoming my sworn enemies.

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After a lot of thought and debate, we finally decided that we will head east tomorrow towards the Eastern Desert and the Red Sea.

Chiho and Christoph are planning on doing the Western Desert route so we will part ways with them tomorrow. Not wanting to face the hawkers and touts outside the gates, we opted to stay at Rezeiky Camp for our last meal together.

Prepared by two women (interestingly enough a first for us in Egypt since most cooks in restaurants are male), we feasted on an authentic home-cooked Egyptian meal of beef stew, okra and garlic, kofta (Egyptian spiced sausages), rice, pita, salad and humus. It was unexpectedly one of the best meals of our trip so far.

It has been a pleasure traveling with C+C all these weeks, BBQ'ing lamb chops in the Ethiopian highlands and cooking Japanese curry in the Nubian desert, swimming in soapy Lake Turkana and getting 'detained' by the Kenyan Police, experiencing the richness of Africa's churches, temples and markets, and of course cheering Germany on in the Euro 2008 in a variety of venues - and then sharing their loss in the Finals.

Thank you both for everything. Especially for your spare shock absorber, spare bushes, spare rubber clutch ring, assortment of tools and wealth of car repair knowledge. You are the prime reason why we have gotten to Luxor today.

To follow their journey, visit Chiho's blog, and Christoph's blog.



Start: Rezeiky Camp, Luxor, EGYPT.
End: Rezeiky Camp, Luxor, EGYPT
Distance Traveled: -
Road Conditions: -
Temperature: the kind of heat that makes sight-seeing unfortunately quite uncomfortable