Off to Karnak, but first we stopped in at the only female Pharaoh whose name escapes me but is something like Hatshpsut and she had great taste in tombs.
She built her tomb on the back side of the valley of the Kings and it now commands a spectacular view across the countryside. There was originally another big temple next to it but over time it collapsed and they are yet to rebuild and restore it like they have with this one.
The carvings in this tomb are wonderful and you can still easily see the colours that were used.
Then it was off to Karnak. I knew this was one of the highlights of the temples but didn't expect anything like this size. The temple complex covers 70 acres and has an entrance that is several kilometers long starting at the Nile.
First stop it the model to try and work out where everything is, it is then you really get any sort of sense of just what you are about to enter.
I apologise for the pics as this place is soooooooo big that it is very difficult to do it justice but hopefully this will give you some idea of things.
Again this temple was built or completed by many different Pharaohs but Ramses finished it with his story and statues dominating everywhere.
You approach through an avenue of Sphinx's and you can see the size when you compare them to the people standing in the center. Unlike Luxor where the avenue of Sphinx goes for several kilometres this avenue is much shorter but once inside the gates the grandeur of the temple overwhelms you with it's massive columns and courtyards etc etc etc
The columns are massive, the detail in the carving is still very clear on all wall surfaces and the paint work while faded gives you some idea of how colourful this would have been.
and finlay the alabaster sphinx which has pride of place in the first courtyard.
more in the next update.
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