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| Unfortunately there aren't many photographs from the Valley of the Kings, a few photos showing only the valley itself and the entrance to several of the tombs. While there were many things to photograph in the tombs themselves, photography was not allowed. And, wouldn't you know it, when I entered King Tut's tomb I left my camera topside with one of the other people on our tour, and when I was inside the guard offered to let me take pictures ... but, I didn't have the camera with me and there wasn't enough time to go out, pick it up and come back in. So, learn a lesson from me, even when the signs read "no photographs" take your camera with you. | |||||||||
 Valley of the Kings walkway to the different tombs |
 Anne reading the sign at the entrance to King Tut's tomb |
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 Sign for King Tut's tomb |
The tombs we were allowed to enter and view were beautifully decorated with thousands upon thousands of hieroglyphics in bright and vivid colors. It was amazing to gaze upon them and know that Egyptian artisans painted them thousands of years earlier and they are still beautiful today. There were several tombs open to the public and they varied in size from the large to very small. King Tutankhamon's (Tut) tomb was one of the smaller and more modest tombs. It is speculated that he died so young that there wasn't time to prepare a proper tomb for him. Today they believe many of the treasures discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter in Tut's tomb were actually taken from other tombs and placed inside his tomb. Sorry there aren't more pictures. | ||||||||
| Leaving the Valley of the Kings we made our way through several small villages and made the mandatory "tourist" stops at the local factories selling Egyptian statues and the like to take home for friends, family and for your own memories. While this may not be viewed as a wanted part of any trip (you kind of feel trapped into it) it is a good time to take a look at the people and how they live and work. The following pictures were taken just after our visit to the Valley of the Kings. | |||||||||
 Egyptian carving stone |
 Egyptian children |
 Coming home from the market with the children |
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I could have probably spent hours and hours photographing the people, especially the children, but that wasn't possible being on an escorted tour. Children of all ages and cultures are amazing to watch. When visiting such areas with small children and you want to get some good pictures take this tip: Bring a bag of balloons and give them to the children. Their faces will light up and you'll get some excellent pictures. These photos were mostly taken from the bus as we drove through the villages so there wasn't time or opportunity to spend with them. Still these photos are some of my favorites. | ||||||||
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Having spent the morning and early part of the afternoon on the east bank of the Nile visiting the Colossi of Memnon, the Ramesseum, Dier El-Bahari and the Valley of the Kings it was time to return to Luxor for a free afternoon roaming throughout the city. Geoff and I were in search of galabaya figuring they would make perfect Halloween costumes for us in the future. Join us while we shop in downtown Luxor on the next page ... |
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