Safaga, Egypt....(Luxor)

Saturday, April 11, and we are in Safaga, Egypt. At 8:30 a.m. 8 buses were loaded and we headed to Luxor, about 3 hours away. Approximately 120 of us stayed overnight at the Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa. Upon arrival at noon we went to the Sonesta Hotel for a buffet lunch. We then proceeded to the first site.....the temple of Karnak. Luxor has been characterized as the world's greatest open air museum. The city built itself around the temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor. Karnak is the larger of the two temples. We spent about an hour and 45 minutes roaming the columns and looking at the hieroglyphics. Because of the heat and the expanse, I went with a friend and walked back to the bus at about the hour mark. Onto the temple of Luxor. Many stairs and a Mosque in the temple complex of Luxor. There is ongoing reconstruction as many new stones are unearthed. Around 4 pm we made it to our hotel and headed to tea for a snack and drink. By 6:30 we were back on the buses and off to another temple for a special dinner for full world cruisers. It is the most well preserved and intact temple. We were greeted by Egyptian dancers and the way in was lined with men holding lighted torches. We walked thru the large stone entry into the middle of it. Surrounded by 4 walls and huge columns we could see some of the color still on the upper walls. Tables were set beautifully and a string quartet played while we were served a 4 course meal. After a wonderful day and evening we really were ready for bed at 11.

Day 2 and it was off to the Valley of the Kings. Most of us Queens (the girls) decided to stay at the resort and have a leisurely breakfast and sit out by the pool. Imagine, the lounges under umbrellas with the Nile River as our view. The buses returned around noon and it was time for lunch. Mike really enjoyed visiting the tombs. Photos were not allowed, but he did visit the tomb of Ramses IV and King Tut. The body of Tut was actually in the tomb. Back aboard the bus at 1pm and we arrived at the ship around 4:15. We were greeted with music and balloons and cold towels, by officers and crew. It is always great to return to our "floating home".

Upon entering our cabin, we had Easter Baskets waiting for us, filled with chocolate bunnies and eggs. Truly a memorable 2 days.