Look at the Glory of the Ancient.

Then pass out from the sun.

The morning started off with a debate. The way the tour book made out the valley of the kings, it looked like it would be a bit of an ordeal. As such, I thought we should get a guide. Andy wanted to just get cabs and tickets as we went. We debated and argued, and eventually Andy relented. We paid a fair penny for the guide, but it wasn't a bad deal. We made our way across the river and then set about trying to get a deal with a guide. We argued and argued. I wanted to pay tops 35 pounds each. He wouldn't drop below forty. We argued and haggled till finally I said, "Ok. I'll give you 100 pounds for all 3 of us."

"Deal."

"You sir, and an idiot of the highest caliber." (That part was internal dialogue..)

The first order of business was breakfast. We asked the guy to take us somewhere to eat. "beans? Falafel? Ok?" He took us to this tiny restaurant where the locals eat. Even this hole had sheesha at the ready. Cost of breakfast. 20 cents.

Its amazing how thin the strip of green land is between the Nile and the endless desert. As such most of the things are really close by. Not but 5 minutes up the road we come across what we were assured are the colossi of Memnon. Once mighty figures that surveyed the Nile. They are now all but totally destroyed.

Around the mountains are the small villages that sprung up around the many tombs and graves that sit exposed in the hills. Nowadays the government is eager to get these folks out. Anyone who sells or leaves has their house demolished within minutes.

We were driven along the smooth paved road curling up into the hills, passing all manner of alabaster village and alabaster shop on the way. We were offered an opportunity to stop, but we politely, and repeated refused.

We got on the shuttle to take us all of 300 meters up the road.

The valley of the kings has about 18 tombs open and running, (and a new one just discovered adjacent the parking lot in 2002) They are arranged in the order they were discovered. A standard ticket gets you into 3 tombs.

The valley itself is as you would expect, blank, lonely, and oppressively hot. One thing I wasn't prepared for was how close together things are. We saw the whole thing in 2 hours.

We saw Seti I, XXXXX and XXXX.

We headed down into the first tomb, and I made a stupid mistake. I went to take a flashless photo.

The "guard" didn't like that. A fella without a name badge in traditional clothing got upset and tried to confiscate my camera. While arguing with him, I transferred a few photos from outside to my Cameras built in memory. Looking at the card showed no evidence of any photos being taken.

I had Todd keep an eye on him while I walked around the tomb and came back. He explained that photos were no good, and gave me back my camera. I tried to do my part, I offered him 5 pounds baksheesh. He refused it. He said that it was 50 pounds fine. Yeah right. I started to leave. He tried to hold me in place. I kept walking. He called up to the top to another fella to get the police. I kept moving. I told Todd and Andy to take their time. Of course the police didn't come. Though I wish they did. Remember campers: Any local who threatens to call the police is trying to scare you into giving them money. If you've done nothing wrong, Screw em. I waited outside on a rock and tried to cool down.

Considering some jerk just tried to set the thumbscrews to me, I look pretty happy, don't you think?

We followed the twisting path farther into the valley. Todd played the theme song from Indiana Jones the whole time on his MP3 player.

After a few hours of tombs, some more impressive than others, we headed back out. They sure picked a strange place for this sing. "Look at the glory of the ancient." Well go on. Look at it. There it is. Wow.

We caught our car and headed out of the valley of the kings to the temple of Medina nearby.

The outer walls of the temple were carved with tales of war and conquest.. very cool.

The inside was fairly well preserved and cool. I guess it was about here that we started to feel the effects of the sun..

I knew if we searched hard enough we would find it. Here we se someone offering someone way more important than themselves (as indicated by the hat) a pipe. The worlds oldest tobacco ad.

Pillars are awesome. Remind me to put pillars in my house.

Re hydration and Rest. The two R's of travel in criminally hot countries.

Egyptians shared power and fame with their spouses. I know it was not likely so.. but somehow these statues of long dead couples, seems rom antic... Sitting together through thousands of years... I know its silly, but It just seems somehow beautiful.

Hi Mom. Hi Dad. I'm in Egypt!

I really wish I had stuck my finger in this shot to show the size of this thing. At first we thought it was an ant. Then we noted the lets and pincers.. it must be some sort of scorpion.. Incredibly small... How'd you like to have these crawling on you while sleeping in the dessert..

It just wouldn't be an "Around the world with D and Kuma"™ Trip if we didn't, at some point try and use the ridiculous functions of my camera to try and create a ridiculous photo. Almost got it...

I think Todd's facial expression accurately shows how we were doing after Medina temple. Lays potato chips. Finally, useful as a source of salt!

Coca Cola and Lipton Ice tea.

Last, but not least we headed for the valley of the crescent moon... just kidding... We did however check out Hapchetsup.

Despite the fact that it is now an empty boring place, the architecture is awesome. Built in a crescent valley cut right into the cliffs. Man. You can do anything with slave labor.

The walk up to Hapchetsup is about 60 meters, and then the gangway is only about 30 or 40. Don't bother paying for the shuttle to take you there.

Cool.

Just beyond the reach of the temple you can see the belt of lush green that lines the Nile.

This is the door of 10,000 photos. One inside the courtyard there is nothing to see. Nothing. As such everyone instinctively takes photos of the only thing available. this door. So I took one too. I paid for a ticket after all.

Andy captured a few shots of some russian girl in tight cut offs and NO BRA under her made-transparent-by-sweat whit tank top. Way to respect the ways of our muslim hosts.

On the way back we hopped on to one of the trams with a french tour group to bum a ride. Ever wonder what happens to old forklifts?

Kaori, this is the phone I attempted to call you from. Twice. Unfortunately the 6 and 9 were broken, and the goats got all uppity about be being on their turf.

Still It sure is. (ba-dum-bum-ching!) (that was Andy's joke)

Exhausted and sun-beaten, we headed back to the banks of the nile to get back to the east bank.

Feluccas plying the nile. So cool.

Once back at the hotel, And and Todd passed out. I wasn't in the mood to sleep, so I decided I would head out alone. I left a note on the bed and headed out.

I knew those guys would be hungry when the got up, and tired, so I went and got a feast for take out. Salads, Chicken, Shoosh Tawlook, Pita, cola, and even beers. I was able to get the beers ridiculously cheap by slipping a local some baksheesh to show me where the non-tourist liquor store was.

After dinner I had a shower and we fired up the shisha that we bought from Mustafa. We sat up there on our balcony overlooking the nile and enjoyed a nice smoke. We were the kings of creation.

Satisfaction.

I'll spare you the animated GIF.

We took the rest of the night and relaxed and chilled out. It was a welcome break, especially considering what was coming the next day...

On to day 6