Our final day in Luxor was pretty mellow. I think we were both a bit tired from the constant activity and traveling. I think we've both agreed that we won't be doing too many more trips where we try to cram so much in, but really spend time in a place. That being said, our last day in Luxor was pretty cool since we got a chance to visit both Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple. The two temples were once connected by the avenue of Sphinxes. A few remain that show the connection the cities once had.
We started the day at the Karnak Temple Complex, which is an impressive structure. Our guide began the tour by explaining that the ancient Egyptians built cities and temples starting from the back and building towards the front, so the beginning of the temple had not been completely finished. I know I've said it before, but I will say it again, each time we visit these ruins or museums I'm always impressed with what has been preserved and withstood the test of time. The complex was started during the Middle Kingdom period of ancient Egyptian culture, under the rule of Senusret I. One of the main temples at the complex was built to honor Amun-Re.
Our visit to Luxor temple offered some other interesting facts. It was pointed out to us that many times the new king would erase the previous king's cartouche and put in their own so that the likeness or statue would now bear their name. In Luxor Temple, you can see how Ramesses II did this with King Tutankhamun's likeness.
After the temples we visited the Mummification Museum, which surprise, surprise, does not allow you to take photos inside. It's a tiny museum that takes no more than 30 minutes to view, but offers a detailed view of mummification and the funerary process.
Before stopping to have lunch our guide insisted that we try sugarcane juice which is kind of like an energy drink there. Desi got the chance to help feed the sugarcane into the machine. I thought the drink would be too sweet, but it wasn't and it was quite refreshing. I sucked mine down in record time. Afterwards, we had a great lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel for a little R & R.
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