EGYPT  2001:

Right after seeing the Temple of Karnak, we hopped back on our bus and drove for a minute or two to the Luxor Temple.  The Luxor Temple has three unique features outside its walls.  These are the two giant statues of Ramses II and the enormous obelisk.  Although the Luxor Temple is much smaller than the enormous Temple of Karnak, it had many unique and interesting features.  After entering the temple between the two statues of Ramses II, I walked into a large courtyard, much like the Karnak but smaller.  Past the courtyard was a large room which was full of decorated columns.  Below are many pictures of the Luxor Temple.

By this time our group was very tired from lack of sleep and our intensive schedule.  We were all very happy to hear that we would be heading to the hotel next and stay there for the rest of the day.  We loaded up the bus and headed for the hotel and some lunch.  Lunch at this hotel was the first decent sized meal I have eaten since getting food poisoning.  I felt so good after eating that I got my second boost of energy and was not ready to take a nap yet like everyone else in our group.  After lunch I hopped in the pool for a while.  After returning to my room, I became very tired and laid down for a nap.  We were told earlier in the day that an optional trip to go back to the Karnak Temple at night for a light show was going to leave at about 7:30 from the hotel.  I was interested in going, but I ended up sleeping through the show and not waking up until the next morning.  I am sorry I missed the light show now but I realize that I probably needed some major catch up sleep.

The next morning we slept in until 5:00.  We ate breakfast and headed for the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.  On the way we saw three hot air balloons in the sky.  The pictures are below.