From Luxor, we headed to the Valley of the Kings. This is where Pharoahs and High Chiefs were buried for a period of around 500 years up until 11 century BC.
The valley contains at least 63 tombs, with perhaps more yet to be discovered. The area is perhaps best known for the tomb of Tutankhamun, one of the few tombs which were discovered that had not already been plundered.
Relief map of the valley
An impressive 3D underground representation of the chambers and tombs
The index
Our guide, Manar, with the map of the valley
The valley is dominated by a large, pyramid-shaped mountain. Is this the inspiration for choosing this site?
The pass includes access to 3 tombs. You can pay for more, or if you want to visit Tutankhamun’s tomb. I visited Rameses V and VI, and then Seti II.
Long, ornately decorated corridor down into the tomb. Lots of coloured hieroglyphs.
The stone Sarcophagus
Some of the guys from the group decided to visit Thutmose III (KV38 on the map). So I decided to go to the further away tomb of Seti II (KV15) on my own.
Perhaps because it was so far away, apart from the security guard, I was the only one there. It was a bit spooky descending the corridor by myself.
At the end, I took a photo of the Sarcophagus, and then the smaller Sarcophagus underneath.
After I took the photo of the Sarcophagus underneath, my phone screen went black, and my camera was frozen. I couldn’t take any more photos.
I discovered later that the Sarcophagus underneath is the the actual tomb. Was I cursed?!
I headed back up the corridor and out of the tomb quite quickly. It took me a while to unfreeze my phone.
Getting the electric buggy back from the site to the car park.
We then visited an Alabaster factory to see how the products were made.
Then we went to the temple of Hapshepsut. On the death of her husband, Thutmose II, she ruled as regent to her two-year-old stepson Thutmose III. After a while she adopted masculine traits and ruled as a man – a female Pharoah.
Hapshepsup temple
Closer
Closer still
Not the pharoah
On the way back, we stopped at the Colossi of Memnon.
Then we took a fellucca back across the Nile to Luxor.
Tour like an Egyptian
We met in the evening for our final group dinner. Ronnie recited his traditional Purple Ronnie poem.
Tour Like an Egyptian
In Cairo we all gathered around, when Manar our CEO we found
Over dinner it was very nice when we first all broke the ice
At Giza we all stood in awe when the mighty pyramids we saw
At the Sphinx we doffed our hat when we admired the majestic cat
At the museum our breath we did hold
Admiring Tutankhamen’s casket of gold
At the Papyrus store we did see
How they made a paper tapestry
On the sleeper train we headed to Aswan
Famous for its massive dam
The Philae temple they did keep
By moving it from the waters deep
We took the Felluca to a Nubian town
Where the delicious dinner we swallowed down
At Abu Simbel, the temple of Rameses
They took it apart to save it from the seas
In February and October the sun does surprise
On the star Sirius’ heliacal rise
The perfumed oils we did smell
Lotus, papyrus, and others as well
On the Nile our Fellucca they had to tow
When the wind blew both fast and slow
On the boat we slept on board
Kept awake when some of us snored
At Kom Ombo on the Nile
A temple to worship the mighty crocodile
The temple it was split in two
To worship Horus and Sobek too
The many painted pillars at Karnak
Leave you a crick in the neck
In the abundant tombs in the Valley of the Kings
We admired thousands of decorated carvings
The high priest showed that Hapshetsut can
Rule all of Egypt like a man
From our guide Manar we did not stray
Listening to what she had to say
For Mima crisps are her favourite fare
For the flavour she doesn’t care
Isaac a lot of inspiration takes
For painting back in the district of the Lakes
Ronnie his head he did cut
When on the bus he did a head butt
Michelle hit by a stick didn’t have much luck
Then in a fight she got stuck
Denise and Ray needed many five pounds for the loo
With an upset stomach they needed to go
On the train it was with glee
That Liz from her kids slept separately
Maisie she was very sad
When she used all the data that she had
Xavier really loves to eat
Cheetos as his favourite treat
On Paddy’s Day Chris wasn’t a happy fella
When instead of Guinness he had only Stella
Darryl he got such a thrill
When he put ketchup on his mixed grill
Trevor got sunburnt on his head
With no suncream it was very red
Sorin thinks he’s Scooby Doo
Solving mysteries with hardly a clue
Matt gets a tattoo on every trip
Will it be on his ankle or his hip
Nish she thinks it really goes
When in her sandals are socks on her toes
On our last night we must now say goodbye
As like Horus we have to fly
Cheers!
(Purple) Ronnie
