Into The Duat Blogs

On the way to Alexandria...

Today I am on my way to Alexandria, escorting some travelers from the US, just boarded the train, although it is a very interesting way to watch the daily life in the western part of the delta of the Nile, the Train condition is the least I can say very bad, Egypt historically is the second Country in the whole world to have a railway and to introduce the Train service, but during the last 20 years and everything about the Train service became to be very bad, not to the standard, it wouldn't be exaggeration when I describe them as filthy compartments, the ride itself was quiet interesting, the train arrived Alexandria in the right exact time, 11.30 AM which I can say was quiet exceptional.

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Karnak and the King...

Wednesday the 22nd April, this morning is going to be  a big day, according to the schedule I have. It is the day we are supposed to explore the greatest and most gigantic of the ancient Egyptian temples; Karnak. Every part of this temple is the greatest and the largest in any Egyptian monument but during today's visit I am not  concerned with how huge or impressive the pylons, the hypostyle hall, or the shrines of the temple are.

My concern this time is the exploration of the parts of Karnak related to Thutmosis lll 1458 BC, who was known as the greatest warrior Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, he added some very important parts to Karnak.

Arrived at Karnak 9 o’clock, fortunately it was the period in between the early morning visit when the temple opens at seven, and the midday rush of the Eastern European travelers, who get to visit Luxor in a day tour from the resorts by the Red Sea. The temple was nearly empty and although a bit hot it was better than loosing the feeling of the temple's merit because of the crowds.

Went through the main part of the temple stopping for a good time in the hypostyle hall, it is not just considered as the largest hypostyle hall in an ancient Egyptian temple, but in the whole world. Following this we walked through the central area of Karnak where there are 2 very large obelisks, the largest still standing on their original site. Just behind these two obelisks, there is a very small ruined pylon dated back to the time of Thutmosis lll.

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