Photo Highlights from Egypt
The Step Pyramid at Saqqara
Saqqara was the burial grounds of anceint Memphis (the capital of Lower - Northern - Egypt before uniting all of Egypt.
The Step-Pyramid of Saqqara
The First Dynasty pharoe Zoester was the first to have built a permanent (brick) monument to himself (~2500 BC).
Saqqara Temple w/ Step Pyramid
The Step Pyramid was made from bricks and is heavily eroded compared to newer structures with massive sandstone pieces.
The Bent Pyramid of Dashur
A key architect expanded on the architectural techniques of the step pyramid to build this 1st prototype sloped pyramid.
The Red Pyramid of Dashur
The same Bent Pyramid architect followed it up with this 1st symmetrical pyrimid.
The Red Pyramid of Dashur
Taken 12-21-05
The Red Pyramid of Dashur
Taken 12-21-05
A Sphinx Statue at Memphis
Memphis was the ancient capital of Lower (Northern) Egypt, before Egypt was united.
A Ramses Statue at Memphis
A Colossus Statue at Memphis
Taken 12-21-05
Camels of Giza
Aussies John and Kate still developing their camel riding comfort level.
Camelback on the Streets of Giza
John and Kate make it look easy!
The Pyramid of Khafre (Giza)
Random camel dude / tourist swindler at Giza. Note that the Saddam mustache is HUGE all over Egypt and Jordan.
Posing at Giza
No Way I'm Riding Spot for 40 Days + 40 Nights
The Pyramid of Khafre (Giza)
I should make postcards
Spot at the Pyramid of Khafre
Camels and pyramids clearly go together.
Posing by the Pyramid o Khafre
Indiana Lopez & the Pyramid of Khafre. Giza Plateau, Egypt.
Hi-Ho, Spot
Ready to ride (all numb down below). [Note to self: camel riding through sand is a slow + torturous form of castration.]
The Great Pyramids of Giza
Re-exposure of DSCN3290.JPG 2005-12-21
The Giza Pateau
Sunset over the Sphinx and Great Pyramids. Not a bad end to day 2 of my trip!
A Sunset Glowing Khafre Pyramid
The Great Pyramids of Giza
The Khafre Pyramid at Sunset
The Entire Giza Plateau
The Pyramid of Khafre (Giza)
The Pyramid of Khafre looks like the largest at Giza but is not (it sits on an elevated hill but is shorter by 15-20 ft.
Camel Comedian
Spot laughs at his own stupid jokes.
Sunset over Giza
Spot hams it up for a postcard photo. Did I mention camels and pyramids seem to go together?
The Great Pyramids of Giza
A Sunny Afternoon at Giza
The 2nd time back to Giza was quite a bit more warm and sunny, making it the perfect cap to my last day in Egypt.
Khafre and Khufu Pyramids (Giza)
These are truly the Great Pyramids.
Nice Pyramid
Khafre looks more impressive because the top is still capped with a protective outer casing that once covered them all.
Re-exposure of DSCN4219.JPG
Re-exposure of DSCN4219.JPG 2006-01-19
Small Sphynx / Big Pyramid
At maybe ~70 feet tall to the Pyramids 500 feet, the Sphynx seemed much smaller than I had expected.
Giza Plateau
The Sphynx lies at the start of the causway that leads to the Pyramid of Khafre.
Horses at Giza
Kate seems to be an expert equestrian rider. The horses were quite a bit more comfortable than the camels.
Khufu Pyramid + Adjacent Temple
This is the largest Pyramid Monument in the world and at around 4300 years old is nearly the oldest.
Re-exposure of DSCN4251.JPG
The Sphynx was very wide and difficult to get into a single shot from the sunny side.
The Sphynx (Giza, Egypt)
The Greeks misnamed the monument after the mythic half-woman/half-lion, but it actually had the face of the male Pharoah
Awe Inspiring Pyramids of Giza
Pyramid of Cheops
Close up on the smaller pyramid there was still some erosion, but the symmetry was still amazing for 4300 years old.
Giza - Still Under Excavation
Note the temple obscures most of the Sphynx from farther back, increasing the photo difficulty factor.
Giza by Night
The cheesy Light & Sound show at Giza was set to 60s era music right out of The Planet of the Apes.
Philae Temple (Aswan, Egypt)
Philae was built around the 1st century AD by the Romans in the style of Ancient Egyptians. It was dedicated to Isis.
Bas Reliefs inside Philae Temple
Bas Reliefs inside Philae Temple
Philae Temple
Philae Temple
Philae Temple
Philae Temple
Sunset lighting and clouds always make for dramatic photos.
Philae Temple
Philae Temple
Philae Temple was completely moved to a higher island whn lake Nassir was filled by the new Dam.
Philae Temple
Phila was located near Aswan, at the very Southern region of the Nile, in the regionof anceint Nubia.
Abu Simbel
Ramses II had a 2nd temple built next to his and dedicated to his favorite wife, Nefertari.
Abu Simbel
The Temple perfectly faces the sunrise. 1 day a year the first ray of sun shines 1st down a 150 ft tunnel to hit Ramses.
Abu Simbel, Egypt
A spectacular Christmas morning sun rise at Abu Simbel, dedicated to Ramses II and very close to the Sudanese border.
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel was my favorite archeological site in Egypt. It was built by Ramses II during his impressive & lengthy reign.
Abu Simbel
Ramses II was the King of Kings. He ruled 67 years, expanded the empire, and built many of the most important monuments.
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel
Nile Sailing around Aswan
The Felucca is the traditional, hand-made sailing boat of the Nile and the transortation of choice for budget travellers
A Traditional Felucca
Sailing down the Nile. The Nile is the only river in the world that flows South to North.
The Nile is active around Aswan
The flat bottom Nile river boats were clearly used as prototypes for the Jungle Ride at Disneyland.
Irie Captain "Ziggy"
Our Nubian Captain fancied himself a Nile Rastaman.
Ziggy "Takin' it Easy"
Rasta sailing on the Nile. Ziggy was Nubian but fancied himself a Rastaman.
A Lone Felucca
We spent 2 great days sailing down the Nile (North) by Felucca. The days were warm, but the nights were brutally cold.
Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo is a small temple located a few hours south of Luxor
Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo
Edfu
Edfu is a spectacular temple near Luxor (ancient Thebes, which was also the capital of Upper Egypt).
Edfu
Horace is an ancient Egyptian God in the form of a hawk.
Horace with missing hat (Edfu)
Edfu
Edfu
Edfu
Edfu
Edfu
Bas Reliefs inside Edfu
Bas Reliefs inside Edfu
Bas Reliefs inside Edfu
Bas Reliefs inside Edfu
The Valley of the Kings
There are not exterior structures because the builders wanted the tombs to be hidden from potential grave robbers.
Valley of the Queens
The impressive 3-tier Temple of Hatshepsut was carved entirely out of the rock cliffs in the Valley of the Queen.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut (at Deir al-Bahri) is in the Valley of the Queens.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was the only woman to ever rule as pharoah. This statue has her facial features made masculine with a beard.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut died in 1458 BC, at which time her son Tuthmosis III was old enough to take over as pharoah.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Karnak (Luxor, Egypt)
The rams were an important symbol of ancient Egypt. Many of the temples were lined with dozens of rams statues.
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
The entrance to the largest temple in ancient Egypt.
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Karnak boasts the largest pillars of any any ancient Egyptian site. Roger Moore's 007 had a gun fight with Jaws here.
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
An obelisk siluette in evening glory.
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Only a few temples had obelisks still intact and Karnak had the most.
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Temple of Karnak
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
Because Luxor Temple is in the heart of downtown Luxor it has spectacular lighting and remains open at night.
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple
The Luxor Temple entrance is quite spectacular at night.
Dahab in the Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai geographically lies in Asia while the rest of Egypt is part of Africa.
Dahab at Night
On the Red Sea coast of the Sinai, Dahab was a laid back resort.
Dahab
Becautiful waters, but no great beaches in the town center.
The Citadel (Alexandria, Egypt)
The Citadel was built on the site of the fallen Alexandria lighthous which fell in the 12th C AD.
The Citadel
The Alexandria Lighthous, or Pharos Lighthouse was the first ever built.
The Citadel
The Pharos Lighthouse was one of the original 7 Ancient Wonders of the World.
Alexandria Harbor
There are sunken temple ruins inside the harbor.
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Outside The Cairo Museum
Outside The Cairo Museum
Jordan + Israel Jan 2006
Petra
A 3rd C. B.C. house outside Petra. The Ancient Nabateans apparently got their early inspiration from The Flintstones!
Petra
The Siq is a tectonic rift that leads for 3/4 of a mile into Petra, Jordan
Petra
Note the running water channels that were built ~ the 3rd Century BC & before the Romans took over modern day Jordan.
Petra
A water collection pool within the Siq and leading to Petra.
Petra
A first glimpse of the Petra from the end of the Siq rift and also viewed by Indiana Jones on horseback.
Petra
Petra is also known as the Pink City for obvious reasons. This is the most well known facade and known as the Treasury.
Petra
The massive facade was entirely carved out of a single rock face in the canyon - pillars and interior rooms and all.
Petra
Another view of Petra's Treasury.
Petra
This is the massive doorway and room inside the Treasury, also carved from the same stone.
Petra
The Treasury was misnamed by the first archeologists who assumed incorrectly it must have held the Nabatean coffers.
Petra
The facades were carved by the Nabateans to inspire outsiders who came along the key Arabian trade route they controlled
Petra
Living structures in Petra, Jordan. These probably belonged to workers.
Petra
Petra, Jordan
Petra
Petra, Jordan
The Monastery (Petra, Jordan)
The most impressive structure inside Petra is known as the Monastery - it's about 3 miles & 2000 ft up from the Treasury
The Monastery of Petra
The Monastery is significantly larger than the Treasury. Early Christians secretly used it as a church around 7th C. AD.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Their only English was to ask for some biscuits. They were happily surprised to receive both biscuits and chocolate.
Petra, Jordan
The valley of Petra extends 3 or more miles. Most of the structures lie along the valley floor (all but the Monestary).
Petra, Jordan
The Romans came in around the 1st C. AD but let the Nabateans continue to reside here. They added some Roman columns.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
The sheer scale of carving all this from rock without modern tools is astounding. These houses had multiple windows.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
As my Japanese backpacker friend Tak said, this one is right out of a Salvadore Dali painting.
Petra, Jordan
Sunset over Petra as a long but amazing 10 hour day of hiking and wonders wraps to an end.
Aqaba, Jordan
The worlds largest flag (allegedgly) over the Red Sea waterfront in Aqaba, Jordan (close to the Israeli border).
Aqaba, Jordan
A fisherman earns an impressive catch along the Aqaba water front.
Aqaba, Jordan
What is a Middle East trip without sunset views of Oil Tankers?
Wadi Rum Desert of South Jordan
Aussies John & Kate are right at home in the Arabian Desert of Wadi Rum.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan was the picturesque site of filming for Lawrence of Arabia.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum has vistas with many similarities to the Pacific Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Utah)
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Lots of rock arches reminiscent of Arches National Park (Utah)
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
There are several natural stone arches here.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
A few in our off-road group venture the climb on top. I climbed some, but was still feeling the marathon hikes of Petra.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Definitely right out of Lawrence of Arabia.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Local version of cave-paintings dating back a few thousand years.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
The dunes of Wadi Rum are sort of dirt-like sand.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
A view from standing atop another of the rock arches of Wadi Rum
Off Roadin in Wadi Rum
This truck bed transportation was a far cry from the "off-road" described in the tour...
Wadi Rum, Jordan
The light at sunset made the rocks of Wadi Rum look like they were on fire.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Aqaba, Jordan
Not only Chevy Chase's Clark Griswald would be impressed with the worlds largest flag. It was strangely mesmerising.
Jerusalem, Israel
The Jaffa Gate of the Walled Old City of Jerusalem, Israel.
Jerusalem, Israel
Inside Old Jerusalem and approaching the Damascus gate, the physical and symbolic boundary between Muslim / Jewish.
Old Jerusalem
The streets of Old Jerusalm, rebuilt around the 7th Century AD and surely reinforced and upgraded in the last 50 years.
Old Jerusalem
The 4 main quadrants in Old Jeruslam - Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim - and epicenter to the latter 3 religions.
Jerusalem, Israel
The outside of the Damascus Gate, leading from East Jerusalme (Muslim) into the Muslim quadrant of Old Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, Israel
Damascus Gate, Jerusalem, Israel.
Old Jerusalem
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the epicentre of Christiantiy & the believed location of Christ's cruxificion / tomb
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
This is one of 20 stations of the Cross, where it is believed that Christ was Nailed to the Cross.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Doorway of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The stairway leading up to the 3 main stations of the cross for Christ's cruxifiction.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Another pic of the station of the cross where Christ was believed to be nailed on.
The Holy Sepulchre
The tomb within the Church and believed to hold the body of Christ.
The Site of the Cross
The hole at the base of the portrait allows visitors to touch the stone where the the cross was believed to have stood.
Inside The Holy Sepulchre
The different lanterns inside the Sepulchre represent each of the different sects of Christianity.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The base of the rock hill where the cross was believed to have stood.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The station where Christ was believed to have been anointed prior to his burial.
Old Jerusalem
The streets of Old Jerusalem
Old Jerusalem
The plaza in front of the Wailing Wall in the Jewish quadrant of Old Jersulam, Israel.
Old Jerusalem
Just beyond the Wailing Wall is the Dome that is considered the 2nd most holy site of the Muslim religion after Mecca.
Old Jerusalem
The Wailing Wall is so called because the Jews have cried for the destruction of the rest of the Temple of Soloman.
Old Jerusalem
The Wailing Wall is the epicenter for the Jewish religion. Women have to pray in a separate section on the right.
West Jerusalem, Israel
Outside the Walls of Old Jerusalem
Old Jerusalem
Another shot of the Jaffa Gate, the main gateway to West Jersusalem (the Modern and main Jewish section).