In a way, it was useful to start the trip with a relatively new city like Dubai, and then contrast it with Egypt which is dripped with history - and 3000 BC worth it. Dubai spoilt us with luxury; Egypt is spoiling us with sheer magnitude and reverence. The legends, the stories, the Kings and their Queens, their temples, their tombs, their plights, their successes, the homages, the language, the hieroglyphs, their symbols (Shar is now obsessed with the ankh), the food! Perhaps Egypt was the ancient version of Dubai.
We met out donkeys shortly after wake-up call. The donkeys were very small, looked malnourished but they made their way to VK very efficiently. Although, mine did decide to take a detour into the fields on the way back. That was apparently a punishable offense because I had to swap donkeys and Mohammed & Mohammed (our guides) let him/her go.
It was stinking HOT at VK. Nearly passed out from dehydration. The valley was chosen because of its natural pyramid appearance. The kings were buried within the valley in large tombs, and the usual tomb plan consisted of a long inclined rock-cut corridor, descending through one or more halls to the burial chamber. There are 63 reported tombs, with discoveries as late as 2008. We got to see 5 tombs including: tutankhamun (KV 62), Ramses II, Ramses V and VI.
The tombs were amazing, and so lavish - and this is without all the treasure and valuables. The Egyptians believed that an elaborate set of burial customs were necessary to ensure their immortality after death. These rituals and protocols included mummification, casting of magic spells, and burial with specific grave goods thought to be needed in the afterlife.
No camera policy was enforced at VK. I tried to sneak in a photo with the phone but got busted by the security guard. In usual dodgy - or perhaps the better word is capitalistic - fashion, the guard signalled for money so I paid him off with 20 egyptian pounds (approx $4 AUD). Modern Egyptians are money hungry, kinda understandable when the average wage is something like 2 Egyptian pounds per day.
It was a long hot morning under the sun. We returned to the Melodie tired and crisp. My afternoon nanna nap turned into a deep sleep and I missed the pirates!
We have also discovered the art of scarf folding! Very useful.
YDG and Eric also gave me a surprise ring with hieroglyphics engravings. I like and very cool!
was it like you were in 'the mummy' or 'the mummy returns' ??
ReplyDeleteIn the second foto...Fiona looks like a Narnian centaur.
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