Before boarding our boat, we toured the amazing site of 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗸, Egypt’s second most visited historical site.  This is where you can feel like you are inside a 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙠 movie!!!  𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗸 (2055 BC-100AD) is one of the world’s largest religious complexes and is considered a most precious Egyptian inheritance. 

Karnac was built as a cult temple dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, the sun, sky, and moon gods.  The 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 was the center of the ancient faith. Its significance is reflected in its enormous size, @ two sq miles.  It has four main parts, but only one is open to the public.

In the heart of Karnak is the Great Hypostyle Hall…. a forest of 134 colossal papyrus-shaped columns arranged in 16 rows,  each representing an Egyptian God.  Some reach as high as 69 ft.  The architraves on top of the columns are estimated to weigh 70 tons. They may have been lifted using levers or huge ramps.  Just unbelievable!!!

It is easier to imagine how these were constructed with the modern machinery we have today.  The size and grandeur of the pillars and the endless decorations are overwhelming. The hieroglyphics seem as deep and pronounced today as they might have been when first carved. And in some cases, the colors are still present on the underside of the capitals.  Can you imagine anything built today that would stand the test of time??

We were excited to board our small ship, the 𝗡𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶.  We will spend seven nights on The Nile River, Egypt’s lifeline and an artery running through the country.  The ship should carry us from one iconic site to the next…..as have other travelers over the centuries, like Cleopatra to Agatha Christie….following the legendary routes of the pharaohs, who built their empires along the Nile.

Tonight at the Welcome dinner, we had an opportunity to meet the Egyptian staff.  They seem extremely warm and accommodating, and we look forward to a great cruise!  We love that every room has a balcony!