Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #18 - Mosiac Cooperative, St. George Church & Shobak Castle

Madaba & Mt. Nebo

Two of Jordan’s Most Sacred Sites

Witness the burial site of Moses and view a remarkable map of the Middle East created in the 6th century.

Mt. Nebo is revered as the place where Moses was buried, one of the most sacred spots in Jordan. You will drive to the mountain’s summit to visit the site of the 4th-century Byzantine church that commemorates his death. As you explore, marvel at the preserved floor mosaics, baptismal font and Brazen Serpent sculpture. Next, continue to the ancient town of Madaba and its Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Built in 1896 over the remains of a 6th-century Byzantine church, it is home to an incredibly preserved mosaic map of the Middle East depicting the region from Lebanon to the Nile River delta, including the Holy Land, as it was known in the mid-500s. Of the map’s original 1,020 square feet, about one-quarter of it remains.

Since the bus wasn't leaving until 9 am, Sharon and I slept a little later. I didn't get up until almost 7 am.

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we loaded back on the bus. They switched the schedule around; we did Mt. Nebo on Friday afternoon rather than today.

The first stop was a Mosiac Cooperative. The Jordan River Foundation launched the Mosaic Cooperative in 2011 with the support of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah. The cooperative is located in the town of Madaba which is known for its Byzantine mosaics. The cooperative provides training and employment opportunities for women from the local community and produces high-quality mosaic products that are sold to tourists and collectors around the world.

We got a demonstration and explanation of the mosiac making process. Sharon ended up buying two small mosiacs.

The next stop was the St. George Church in Madaba. It is a 6th-century Byzantine church that is home to one of the most famous mosaics in the world. The mosaic, which is known as the Madaba Map, is a floor mosaic that depicts the Holy Land and surrounding areas. It is one of the oldest and most complete maps of the Holy Land to survive from antiquity.


Walking back to the bus from St. George Church, we stopped and had lunch. We got a bit of time to shop after lunch. I got a chance to buy Sharon a Christmas ornament. I hadn't seen any Christmas ornaments in Egypt!?!.

Back on the bus, it was a three hour ride towards Petra. We stopped at Shobak Fortress. The castle was built by the Crusaders in the early 12th century. It served as a vital stronghold in their defense of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

We finally got to Petra a little after 5 pm. We are staying two nights at the Movenpick Petra.

Getting cleaned up, we met the group in the bar for a cocktail. We finished the day with a wonderful group dinner at the Al Iwan Restaurant in the hotel celebrating my and Sharon's anniversary. I had lamb chops.

With an early start planned to explore Petra on Sunday, Sharon and I crashed about 10 pm.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #17 - Dead Sea

Dead Sea Museum

Fascinating Exhibits. Spectacular Views

Learn about the natural and cultural history of the legendary Dead Sea while taking in stunning vistas.

The lowest point on Earth, this saltwater lake has long been sought out for the curative properties of its waters and the pivotal moments in history that have unfolded along its shores. You will drive with your guide to the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex, perched at the edge of the Zara mountain range between Ma’in Hot Springs and the Dead Sea basin. During your visit, you can browse exhibits that shed light on the waters’ rich past and the prospects for its future. You can also view and touch geologic specimens of rock from the region. As you explore this fascinating museum, step out onto the observation deck to marvel at some of the most magnificent views of the Jordan Rift Valley, from gentle desert sands to the soaring Judaean Mountains.

Our 27th Wedding Anniversary!

A second travel day in a row. As part of my post-trip musings, I need to talk about the schedule for the three weeks.

Up at 315, we had to have the luggage out in the hall by 4 am. We were on the bus to the airport at 430 am.

We caught a 730 am Royal Jordanian flight from Cairo to Amman. We were on the ground on schedule just before 9 am. Viking did a great job of getting us through passport control, but it took forever to get all of the luggage. Several people, including the Gainsleys, had binoculars in their luggage. These bags were pulled aside and taken apart.

Although on the schedule for tomorrow, our first stop was Mt. Nebo and the Memorial Church of Moses. This church was built in the 4th century AD to commemorate the death of Moses. It is now a ruin, but it is still an impressive sight. The church is mentioned in the Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death.


Rather than stopping for lunch, the guide passed out a falafel on the bus. The second stop was the Dead Sea Museum. It is a history and natural history museum dedicated to showing the history of the Dead Sea and how civilizations developed around it. There was an interesting graphic on the floor showing how the Dead Sea is shrinking. I was surprised that the area is continuing to sink four cenimeters a year. The museum is housed in a modern building with stunning views of the Dead Sea.

We rolled up to the Movenpick Dead Sea about 2:30 pm. We are spending one night at this hotel. It is a very large resort.

There was more than a little chaos checking into the hotel. We settled in the bar waiting for things to get sorted out.

Eventually, we got settled in the room. Getting changed, everyone wandered down to the Dead Sea. We floated in the Dead Sea. It was a very wild experience. I didn't anticipate how buoyant you would be... The Dead Sea is the lowest point in the world.

Sharon and I considered having dinner by ourselves to celebrate our anniversary. We decided to keep the reservation that we have for tomorrow. We ended up joining the group for a buffet dinner in the hotel.

Wiped out from the early start, Sharon and I crashed about 830 pm.

2023 Israel/Egypt/Jordan - Day #16 - National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

Uncover the Fascinating History of Egypt

Visit the first museum of its kind in the Arab world, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

Experience a unique insight into Egyptian civilization, from prehistory to present day, during a guided tour of the museum. Located in the ancient city of Fustat, now part of Cairo, the large museum overlooks the serene Ain Al-Seera natural lake. Admire the collection of 50,000 artifacts that take you on an exciting journey through the rich heritage of Egypt, including the gold and lapis lazuli bracelets of King Rameses II. A highlight of your visit is the Royal Mummies’ Hall, specially designed to showcase the mummies of 20 ancient kings and queens. The crown jewel of the museum, the hall contains the famous mummies of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. At the end of your tour, browse the book and souvenir shop before returning to your hotel.

The first of two travel days in a row. We had our luggage outside the door before 7 am. After a quick breakfast, we boarded the bus to the Luxor airport at 8 am.

We caught a Viking charter flight from Luxor back to Cairo. It was much easier and quicker than the transfer from Cairo to Luxor last week.

We got to the hotel in Cairo before noon. We are staying one night that the InterContinental Hotel Citystars. The lobby of the hotel is bigger and nicer than the Sheraton that we stayed for three nights last week.

We had a group buffet lunch at the Esplanade Cafe Restaurant in the lobby. After lunch, we actually got our room key. While the lobby of the InterContinental is nicer than the Sheraton, the room at the Sheraton was better.

The excursion for the afternoon was the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The museum presents the full range of the richness and diversity of Egyptian civilization throughout the ages from prehistoric times to the present day.

The Royal Mummies Hall was pretty amazing. The hall contains the mummies of 22 pharaohs and queens, including Ramses II, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III. There were several mummies who whose tombs we visited in the Valley of the Kings.

Both Sharon and I enjoyed the Museum more than we expected. We had an hour and a half of free time and used all of it!

Back at the hotel, we got cleaned up for dinner. We met the Gainsleys, Larkins and Leclaires for a cocktail. Dinner was again a group buffet at the Esplanade Cafe Restaurant.

With a very early travel day on Friday, Sharon and I crashed about 9:15 am.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #15 - Edfu Temple

Edfu Temple

A Temple Magnificently Preserved

Visit one of Egypt’s most complete ancient temples, buried and preserved under desert sands for 2,000 years.

From your ship, you will board a horse-drawn calèche for an exciting ride through the village streets. Upon arrival at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, built between 237 and 57 BC, you will gather at the entrance with your guide to marvel at the pair of black granite statues of Horus, the falcon god to whom the temple is dedicated. Proceed into the colonnaded courtyard past hieroglyphics and rows of lotus columns into two halls, whose side chambers stored offerings to the gods. As you explore, you will see the stairway leading to the roof. During an annual New Year’s festival, priests carried a statue of Horus to the roof so it could be revitalized by the year’s first sun. In the sanctuary, you can admire a replica of Horus’s sacred boat.

The morning excursion was a trip to the Temple of Edfu via horse carriage. They loaded each couple in a separate carriage for a ride through the city.

The Temple of Edfu is dedicated to the god Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky and kingship. It was built during the Ptolemaic period, between 237 and 57 BC. Due to the fact that it was buried in sand, it is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.

On the way back to the boat, there was a little bit of a kerfuffle. They put us in the wrong carriage for the return trip. The right driver passed us as we were leaving the temple. We stopped and transferred back into the right carriage.

There was a sail away cocktail on the sundeck when we are back from the excursion. Just before lunch, we went to a lecture on our Jordan post-cruise tour.

We spent the afternoon sailing down the river to Luxor. We attended a short lecture on the sundeck as we sailed through the Esna Lock; it is a double lock that can accommodate two boats at a time. It is the only lock on the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan.

The Esna Lock was built in the early 20th century to improve navigation on the Nile River. The lock allows boats to pass through the Esna Barrage, which is a dam that controls the flow of the Nile River.

A group of us played lairs dice on the sundeck and watched the river go by. I enjoyed the afternoon a great deal.


Getting cleaned up for dinner, the Gainsleys and Heringers hosted everyone for a cocktail hour in our suites. Everyone brought a bottle of wine.

I didn't catalog what we had for dinner. I believe that it was lamb. There has been a lot of discussion about the quality of the food on the boat, particularly compared to other Viking cruises.

Sharon and I crashed about 10 pm.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #14 - Nubian Village, Philae Temple, the Papyrus Institute and Kom Ombo Temple

Nubian Village, Philae Temple & the Papyrus Institute

Traditions of Nubia and Temple Saved from Submersion

Visit a local village with your guide and meet a traditional Nubian family.

Learn about their lifestyle and gain insight into the traditions the Nubians have followed for thousands of years. Visit a school in the village and spend time playing with the children. Next, you will board your motorboat and visit the Temples of Philae—built to honor Isis, construction began in around 690 BC. The structure was moved from its original location on Philae Island, to its new location on Agilkia Island, after the flooding of Lake Nasser. As the waters of Lake Nasser rose, the temple complex was relocated here. The UNESCO Nubia Campaign Project took nine years to complete, protecting this and other complexes before the completion of the Aswan High Dam. Later, stop at the Papyrus Institute to learn how the delicate paper from its namesake plant is created.

Kom Ombo Temple

One Temple, Two Gods

See the fascinating dual temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Horus.

This remarkable temple, very near our berth, is unique for many reasons. Two temples in one, Kom Ombo is perfectly symmetrical. One half is dedicated to Horus, the falcon god of the sky, and the other to Sobek, the crocodile god, a protective deity thought to have created the world. It is believed that the temple’s builder went to great lengths to ensure that both halves were precisely alike, so as not to offend either god. You will walk a short distance with your guide to the temple and learn about its Greco-Roman style, first built by the pharaohs of Egypt and completed by an emperor of Rome. Upon arrival, you will admire its duplicate gateways, chapels, courtyards and columns. During your visit, you can view some mummified crocodiles discovered in the area.

A very busy day. The Viking excursions included:

• cruising up Nile River in a small boat;

• exploring a Nubian Village;
• visiting a Nubian School;
• a trip out to Agilkia Island and the Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis;

• a stop at the Papyrus Institute; and,
• then cruising down river for an evening stop at Kom Ombo, also know as the “House of the Crocodile” and the “Castle of the Falcon.”

While we were cruising down the river in the afternoon, a group of us played liars dice in the lounge. It has been years since I played this dice game...

In the late afternoon, we went to a talk highlighting the logistics when the cruise ends on Thursday. There has been a lot of jumping around and plane flights on this trip. More on this subject in a post trip entry.

There was a little bit of a drama at dinner. The quality of the food has been not met the expectations of several of the people in our group...

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #13 - Abel Simbel

The Temples at Abu Simbel

Architectural Marvel on the Shores of Lake Nasser

Step into Egypt’s storied past during a visit to the monolithic temples at Abu Simbel.

The temples were constructed in the 13th century BC during the reign of Ramses II. Rediscovered only in the early 19th century, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites were moved from their original location in 1968 during the construction of the Aswan Dam. Marvel at the imposing statues of Ramses II that adorn the facade of the Great Temple and the bas-relief sculptures found inside depicting the pharaoh’s military victories and connection to the gods. Then, visit the Small Temple, dedicated to Queen Nefertari; the temple’s facade is a rare example in Egyptian art. Inside, you will find sculptures honoring the pharaoh, many of them including Nefertari.

A long day.

Up before 5 am, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and were on the bus before 6 am. The Gainsleys, Leclaires and Larkins didn't choose this excursion so we were on our own.

We had a 8 am flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. It took off after 8:30 am. We were on the ground at the temples by 9:30 am.

We spent just over two hours at the site. We explored the Great and Small Temples built by Ramesses II in the 13th Century BC. The temples were moved up a couple hundred feet from their original location in the 1960s to keep them from being covered by Lake Nassar.

We caught a noon flight back to Aswan. After a short stop on top of the High Dam, we were back at the boat just after 2:30 pm.

We had a late lunch with Mark and Evelyn. They had also done the Abu Simbel trip. We had an extended discussion about the whether or not the trip to Abu Simbel was worth it. For me, it was...

For dinner, I had Corn Chowder [whiskey sabayon] and Seared Diver Scallops [sunchoke mousseline, pine nut gremolata, asparagus, radish confit].

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #12 — Temple of Esna

Ancient Temple of Esna

Discover Greco-Roman Dedication to Egypt and its Gods

Visit Esna, once the ancient site of Latopolis, and explore its temple, primarily dedicated to the god Khnum.

A water god, Khnum was worshipped as the guardian of the source of the Nile and was said to have fashioned humankind from his potter’s wheel. The temple was thought to have been one of the latest temples built by the ancient Egyptians. See the well-preserved Hypostyle Hall, whose back wall is said to have been the facade of the old Ptolemaic temple. Admire the intricate carvings adorning towering columns and marvel at ancient wall paintings that still retain their original color. Witness the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded, by the Roman Emperor Dios in 250 AD. Enjoy time to explore at your leisure before walking back to your ship.

Starting to feel better, I got a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, Gainsley started to have the same problem that I had. After doing some googling, he suggested that we may have picked up the bug in the pool?!?

The excursion for the morning was the Ensa Temple. In a twist, we didn't have to ride a bus to the site; it was about a quarter mile from where we were docked.

Construction of the temple began in the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–45 BC) and was completed during the Roman period. The temple is the best-preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt. Its hypostyle hall is one of the largest and most impressive in the country. The hall is supported by 24 massive columns, each of which is decorated with lotus and palm capitals.

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After exploring the temple, we shopped in the bazaar for an Egyptian galabiya, a long, loose-fitting robe with wide sleeves. The ship is hosting an Egyptian dinner and was encouraging everyone to dress up. Additionally, we wanted customes to use for a future dinner party. I saw a side of Cindy that I have never seen before; she was a very hard bargainer with the vendors.

Back on the ship, there was a cocktail hour as the ship was sailing away from Esna.

After lunch, Sharon and I both slept for about an hour.

In the afternoon, we went to a scenic sailing talk about the Selsela Mountains. The mountains were quarried from the Middle Kingdom (c. 2034–1650 BC) until the 20th century. More than a hundred quarries were exploited to extract the sandstone blocks needed to construct many of ancient Egypt's famous temples, including the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Ramesses III's Medinet Habu, Kom Ombo, and the Ramesseum.

After the talk, we took a wheelhouse tour. I was shocked at how low tech their approach is. They don't use a depth finder; the pilot navigates the river on experience.

Getting dressed in our robes, we went to the port talk. Afterwards, we went to a Taste of Egypt dinner. Served family style, the main course was a medley of chicken, fish and pork chops. I would have loved to see a formal menu of the supporting dishes, but they didn't print a menu.

We finished night in the lounge watching a troop of Nubian performers.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #11 - Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Queen Nefertari Tomb

Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Queen Nefertari Tomb

Burial Places of Egyptian Royalty

Witness the pharaohs’ portals to the afterlife on a fascinating excursion.

The stark hills of the Nile’s west bank in Luxor once hid countless treasures. Here, pharaohs were buried in elaborate tunnels carved into the earth and adorned with artful paintings. Their mummies were draped in gold and jewels and their tombs were filled with worldly possessions. Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamen’s tomb here in 1922, bringing the world’s attention to this necropolis of kings and queens. Journey here with your guide before the heat of day and enjoy access to select tombs. After time to explore on your own (guide-led tours are not allowed in the tombs), continue to the terraced Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh, dramatically carved into the Theban Hills. Finally, visit the Valley of Queens and enjoy private access to Queen Nefertari’s tomb. Note that photography is prohibited inside the tombs.

Feeling very under the weather with an intestinal issue, I had a rough night's sleep. I am averaging under five hours a sleep for the past five nights. I ended up skipping breakfast. Although I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to make it though the whole day, I joined the group on the bus for excursion.

After a 45 minute bus ride, the first stop was the Valley of the Kings. The valley contains over 60 tombs (and counting) were built for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BC). I was very surprised by the location; it is a very rugged, arid valley several miles back in the hills. We visited three different tombs, including Ramses IV, Tut Ankh Amun (King Tut) and Ramses IX.

Leaving the valley, we made a short stop at the Carter House. This is a museum in dedicated to the life and work of Howard Carter, the British archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.

The third stop was the Valley of the Queens. We visited the tomb of Nefertari, the wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II. This is The most famous tomb in the valley. Nefertari was one of the most powerful queens in Egyptian history, and her tomb is the largest and most elaborate in the valley. The tomb is decorated with beautiful reliefs and paintings that depict Nefertari's journey to the afterlife.


The next stop was the Hatshepsut Temple. This is a mortuary temple built during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. It was was built between 1479 and 1458 BC.


Leaving the Temple, the bus started to fill up with smoke. This created a little bit of drama. They ended up turning off the air conditioner.

There was a final stop at the Colossi of Memnon & Amenhotep III Temple. This was just a quick photo opportunity.

We had a late lunch on the boat. I had Hawawshy [grilled Egyptian Aish bread stuffed with minced meat, Middle Eastern salad & french fries].

Feeling a little better, I slept for almost an hour and a half. Sharon joined the group on the sundeck at the pool. She raved about watching the scenery go by as the boat cruised up the river.

Getting cleaned up, we joined the group in the lounge for a presentation on tomorrow's activities. The hotel manager also talked about the situation in Israel and the Jordan post tour.

I had everyone do a blind draw for where they were sitting for dinner. It worked out great with all of the couples split up. For dinner, I had Broiled Herb Marinated Jumbo Shrimp [balsamic reduction, pesto risotto, baby vegetables].

We finished the night lounge watching a whirling dervish show. We crashed about 10:15 pm.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #10 - Hot Air Balloon Ride & Dendera Temple

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Luxor’s Temples and Monuments Bathed in Sunrise

Take to the sky with an experienced balloonist and guide as you rise above the Nile’s west bank for spectacular sunrise views. Your extraordinary morning begins early with a boxed breakfast, followed by a motorboat ride across the Nile. As you proceed to our launching area, you will receive a short orientation. Upon arrival at the balloon site, you will board your hot air balloon and rise into the sky for a breathtaking aerial tour. Gentle breezes accompany you and your skilled pilot guide as you float over the ancient temples and burial grounds of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens on the Nile’s west bank. The serenity of dawn under Egyptian skies adds a peaceful aura to your experience as you glide over tombs, the historic Nile River and the fertile valley. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget. Note that this tour is weather dependent.

Dendera Temple Exploration

View Ancient Art and Architecture

Return to the time of the pharaohs with a tour of Dendera Temple, one of Egypt’s best -preserved temple complexes.

Located on the west bank of the Nile River on the edge of the desert, this massive complex dates back to the mid-4th century BC, though archaeologists believe a temple has existed on the site since 2250 BC. Visit the main temple, Hathor, and admire the many examples of Ptolemaic Egyptian art adorning its chambers. View the Dendera Zodiac, a unique bas-relief sculpture from the Greco-Roman period that maps the ancient sky. The original was taken by the French in 1820 and now sits in the Louvre; what remains is a replica. Also, examine the controversial Dendera Light, three stone reliefs depicting what some say was ancient Egyptian electrical lighting technology (others contest it represents Egyptian mythology). Explore the subterranean necropolis and crypts before returning to your ship.

Up at 330 am, after a quick bite to eat, the group was on the bus before 5 am. I had not originally signed up for the hot air ballooning, but decided on Tuesday to do it. Frankly, I didn't want to have to listen to everyone give me a hard time about not going over the next two weeks.

It was pretty spectacular. We had a forty-five minute balloon ride over the West Bank of the Nile. The eight of us were at one end of a basket that had twenty-eight people in it. We will be taking an excursion tomorrow to explore the area, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of Queens.

Back at the MS Antares, we had breakfast. Running on an average of less than five hours of sleep over the previous four nights. I went back to bed for while in the morning.

I had a Chief Noisce Salad for lunch.

AFter the morning excursion, the boat steamed downriver to Qena. We explored the Dendera Temple. The temple complex was built over a period of several centuries beginning in the Ptolemaic period (305–30 BCE) and continuing into the Roman period. The complex is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the goddess of love, fertility, and joy.

After the excursion, we jumped in the pool as we were crusing back to Luxor. It was 104 during the excursion!

Before dinner, we joined the boat for a cockail hour with the Hotel Manager (Mark). One of the guides then did an overview of what we would be doing tomorrow.

For dinner, they are offering a regional tasting menu. I had El San El Asfour [minced lamb, vermicelli noodles, chicken broth] as a starter and Lahma Bil Basal [braised beef, onion, sweet potato mousseline, grilled vegetables] as an entree.

After dinner, a subgroup of us particpated in a Pyramid Trivial contest. We ended up winning based on knowing locations of the Olympics over the last hundred and twenty years.

I crashed a little after 10 pm. Unforunately, I finished the day with an intestinal issue.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #9 - Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple

Karnak Temple & Luxor Library

Luxor Monument and Historic Exhibits

Visit the Temple of Karnak, among the world’s largest ancient temple complexes.

Marvel at its great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 136 ancient columns that once supported a towering ceiling, and its huge sacred lake. This massive complex, embellished over centuries by every major pharaoh, could fit the equivalent of ten cathedrals within its walls. After time here, continue to the Luxor Heritage Center, the aim of which is to enlighten visitors on Egypt’s long and rich history. Explore the center’s interactive showcase documenting the country’s history from ancient times to the present on nine connected flat-screen televisions offering a 180-degree panorama. Tour the Forsan al-Sama’a Hall, with its exhibits featuring astrological equipment, and the 3D Show Hall, home to selected archaeological pieces from the Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic eras. Afterward, visit the library, which houses more than 10,000 books on Egyptian history in several languages and features a dedicated map room.

Up at 4 am, we put our bags in the hall at 5 am and then went down for a quick breakfast. All fifty-seven people were on two buses before 6 am. Viking took the group to the Cairo airport for a private charter flight to Luxor. We were on the ground just after 9 am and in the buses about 9:30 am.

The plan for the morning was to vist the Karnak Temple. The Karnak Temple Complex is a vast mix of temples, pylons, chapels, and other buildings. It is the largest religious building ever constructed, covering about 200 acres. The complex is made up of three main temple precincts, each dedicated to a different deity. Construction started about 2,000 BC.

We made a quick stop at the Luxor Hertiage Center to see a video about the Karnak and Luxor Temples. Although the excursion talks about the Luxor Library, we didn't go there.

We finally got to the boat about 1 pm. We will be staying on the MS Antares for the next seven nights in Suite 203. It is very nice. I will post the floor plan in future.

We had lunch on the boat. Afterwards, we got settled in the room.

In the afternoon, we went to the Luxor Temple. The temple was originally connected to the Karnak Temple by an Avenue of Sphinxes which was a two-mile long road lined with over 1,300 sphinxes. The temple was built over hundreds of years by Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Tutankhamun, and other pharaohs. The Luxor Temple was built about 1,400 BC.


Although I probably shouldn't have been, I was shocked at the number of tourists at the two sites. It feels like we are in the middle of nowhere, but both sites had lots and lots of visitors!

Back at boat, we got cleaned for dinner. Donna worked with the boat staff to set up a table for 10. We invited Mark and Evelyn to join us.

With another early start on Friday morning, Sharon and I crashed about 9:15 pm.

25 years and 36 days

Jack is now exactly the same age I was when I married Drew and Morgan's mother: 25 years and 36 days old.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #8 - Sakkara Step Pyramid, Giza & the Sphinx

Sakkara Step Pyramid, Giza & the Sphinx

View Iconic Landmarks of Antiquity

Immerse yourself in the past with a visit to three of the most iconic landmarks of ancient Egypt.

Journey with your guide to the necropolis of Sakkara, believed to be the first pyramid built in ancient Egypt. Enter the complex via a narrow portal, part of a great wall that once surrounded the necropolis. Admire the enduring construction of the Step Pyramid, then step inside one of the tombs, some of which are decorated with the finest paintings from the Old Kingdom period. After lunch, you will travel to the Giza Plateau. There are many tombs here, but the most spectacular are the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World remaining. Hear about their fascinating history from your guide. Then, proceed to view the famous Abu al-Hol, the Sphinx, erected here to guard the tombs and ward off tomb raiders and enemies of the pharaohs.

After very little sleep on Monday night, Sharon and I slept a little later on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. We eventually had breakfast at the hotel. The bus left for the excursion at 9 am. Given that the excursions include the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, this is one of the days that I was most looking forward to on the trip.

The first stop was the Necropolis of Sakkara. It includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser; this is the oldest known complete stone building complex in history. It was built during the Third Dynasty, around 2630-2611 BC.

We got a chance to go down into the tomb of King Teti. This was billed as an opportunity to experience the inside of a pyramid. It required going down a narrow crawl space several stories. We also entered the tomb of Kagemni. This was above ground rather than underground.

We had a buffet lunch at the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel. It has a great view of the new Grand Egyption Museum which is supposed to open soon. I thought that we were visiting the musuem next week, but apparently it is still not open. Our guide said that everyone says that it is "opening soon." The new museum looks spectacular and might be a reason to come back some day.

After lunch, we went to the Great Pyramids of Giza. They are only remaining one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exist. On our trip to Turkey and Greece last year, we are at the sites of three of the other six, including the Colossus of Rhodes, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.

We stopped at the Great Pyramid of Khufu. It is the largest of the three pyramids and is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is estimated to have been built over a period of 20 years using over 2 million limestone blocks.

After visiting the Great Pyramid of Khufum, we got a chance to take a short camel ride. This was mostly a photo opportunity.

The final stop was the Sphinx. The statue was carved out of a single piece of limestone. We got a chance to walk up close to the sculpture.

There was a group buffet dinner for the tour at the hotel. The Heringers, Gainsleys and Leclaires fihished the day with a nightcap at the Crowd Club nightclub in hotel. With an early morning planned for Thursday, Sharon and I crashed about 10:15 pm.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #8 - Group Picture