Day One - Luxor - Ancient capital of Egypt known as 'Thebes'.

After 5 hours sleep the first night on our cruise boat we got up at 5am (3am UK time!) and headed to Karnak Temple, one of the largest temple complexes.

Construction was started almost 4,000 years ago in 1960 BC as a temple to the god Amon-Ra, creator of the universe.

View looking back to entrance. The roof has disappeared, but the massive supporting columns ending in papyrus buds or flowers remain.	Remnants of mud slopes against outer wall which were used to slide the blocks up during construction.	Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. After her death a wall built by her stepson King Tuthmose III to surround+ hide it from view  when she was out of favour.
We then moved on a couple of miles to the Temple of Luxor itself, started around 1450 BC and finished 100 years later in the reign of Ramses II. It was originally connected to Karnak Temple by a road lined by small sphinxes.
The entrance, showing 2 statues of Ramses II with the huge 'pylon' walls behind.	View back to the entrance.
Haithan, our Egyptologist guide, with examples of sculpture behind.