Karnak Temple

Our last must-see site in Luxor is on the East Bank, Karnak Temple. The easiest way to get there is by ferry, using one of the hundreds we've watched ply the Nile over the last week. All of these colourful wooden boats criss-cross the river, from dawn till dusk for the equivalent of $5 each and they drop you at whatever destination you like on the other side. They are festooned with international flags, blaring music, rich tapestries covering their seats, beautifully colourful paint jobs, boat names like The Omar Sharif! 

We don't have to go far, but we get a beautiful view of the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings' ridge as we go. Often in the past we've seen tourists travelling on the roofs of these ferries, taking selfies. Of course, Marc climbs on top!

Approaching the complex, we pass by the caleche stop, one of many throwbacks from the early 1900s and still very much a mode of transportation here in Luxor. The transportation choices are astounding, modified motorbikes turned into tuk-tuks, horses, camels, caleches, Ladas, vehicles that have been running since the early 70s.

We get inside and are amazed at what we are about to see.

Karnak translates into "Most Selected of Places" and was built as the holiest religious site in Egypt dedicated to the worship of Amun, or hidden god. It is 2nd only to the Pyramids in most visited places by tourists. Built over 2000 years by over 30 Pharoahs, it is one of the largest open air museums in the world, the other being Angkor Wat in Thailand. 

Unbelievable, that this has been in existence since 4000 BC. The pillars, the engravings, the sculptures! The sandstone used has been determined to have come from a site further along the Nile over 100 miles away.

I think this might be at the top of favourite places I've stood. Hypostyle Hall, 134 massive columns laid out in 16 rows, top roof pieces weighing 70 tons each. How did they get them up there? The engravings are complex, telling stories of glory, war, lives lived, homages to various gods throughout each Pharoah's life. The size of this part of the Temple complex? The Cathedral at Notre Dame could easily fit inside.

Claudia gives us so much info on this place, she has really enjoyed accompanying us on our visits, and her knowledge and friendship has really enriched our Luxor visit. 

This obelisk, one of 2 at this site, is the largest ancient obelisk on earth! And the paint, still visible from 2000 years ago. I think that is one of the most amazing things about our visit  to Egypt and the sites we've visited. The paint is still there! The stories that are being told, there's "graffitti" on the walls and columns, left by explorers, Pharoahs who tried to erase the glory of their predescessors,  workers, later Christians, Coptics. 

The further we go into the site, the older it gets, until we are looking at 4000 years worth of history. There are toppled ruins everywhere, still waiting to be catalogued and placed.

Bottom right photo is on our drive out, Luxor is working on the Avenue of Sphinxes, rejuvenating a grand Boulevard that has fallen into ruin. As you can see, it will be magnificent!