A trip (report) down memory lane - Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the 90s!

[RooFlyer]

We continued down the Red Sea; every so often (actually, any time there was a slight rise) there was an Egyptian armed forces look-out post. (Sorry for the blurred pic - I recall we didn't think it a good idea to stop the 4WD to take a picture!)





We spent the next night in Marsa Alam on the Red Sea shore. Today its a great beach and dive centre but back then I can't remember much other than some drab suburbs. At least we had a basic hotel that night, but we had an early start. This brought the reward of these scenes of dawn over the Red Sea:

 

[RooFlyer]

We returned to Luxor and did some more sight seeing.

First stop was across the river at the Valley of the Kings.

A general scene:






Inside that tomb. I recall it was tricky because there were umpteen self appointed guides both at the entrance and inside the tombs, who would try to take you by the arm to 'guide' you, with bad English and whispers of 'secret, new tomb' etc etc. I preferred the self guiding method!




This is the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb. I tried to go in, through the gate, but got chased out; I still don't know why.

 

[love_the_life]

I hope drron is suitably impressed with your great sunrise photos.
It's a great TR so far - from a time long ago (as they say in the movies) and things much different now.

 

[OATEK]

Yes, those Red Sea shots are outstanding! Eat your heart out Drron!

 

[RooFlyer]

I hope drron is suitably impressed with your great sunrise photos.
It's a great TR so far - from a time long ago (as they say in the movies) and things much different now.

Thanks. drron ain't seen nutt'n yet

Forgot this classic scene ... the entry to the Valley of the Kings is, or was a trial by helpers and salesmen. Never was the expression: la shukran ... la shukran! ... LA, LA shukran!! more useful! This was fairly early in the morning, before the crowds arrived and many of the stallholders had set up. Still ...




The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hapshepsut is adjacent to the Valley of the Kings and one of the more spectacular structures on the west bank of the Nile. 62 people were killed by terrorists there in 1997.







Looking back to the fertile Nile plain.




On the ferry back to the east side of the river, to Luxor.

 

[Major]

When we visited this Temple of Queen Hapshepsut a few years ago they referred to her as Queen Hot Chicken Soup.

Unfortunately this is how I remember this Mortuary Temple

 

[RooFlyer]

... And when I visited Chichen itza in Mexico, the guide was careful to point out that it wasn't "chicken pizza". :-(

 

[RooFlyer]

Luxor was the Egyptian upper Kingdom city of Thebes, most active about 2,000BC. It lies right across the River Nile from the Valley of the Kings. There are many ancient structures present in a large, open-air type museum. Luxor and Karnak temples I think are the largest.

Hundreds of sphinxes line the road to Karnak temple, with Ramesses II statues at the end, and the First Pylon (walled structure). Large red granite obelisk also



I think these are also Ramesses II



More of Karnak temple.




We spent the night at Luxor, in a hotel overlooking the river. Tthese are two of my favourite sunset pictures

 

[love_the_life]

Yep, they're pretty good sunset pics!
The rest aren't too shabby either. The size of the temples is amazing.

 

[wandering_fred]

1984 - From the Dammam - Yanbu trip
Out via Buraydah back via Mecca Riyadh road

In the way back - just east of Mecca







The old village - deserted in the face of technology



Rock art just off the highway near Medinah

 

[wandering_fred]

Continued




Alas my documentation on the trip is weak.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks Fred ... some great vintage shots there.

At Luxor, some more of Karnak Temple. The scale of the place is only just apparent here. Unfortunately the remaining photos of the area must be where the other missing pic are.







That just about wraps up the trip. We flew back to Cairo on Egypt Air - this was notable for there being no seat selection or allocation - you just went aboard and found the seat you want! Yes, it was a bun fight. Luckily I wasn't aware of issues such as loading and balance back then!

As my first trip to an exotic location, this really opened my eyes to the world beyond North America, which was the only place I had been up till then (I didn't do a 'gap year' - straight from Uni off to work in the mines for me).

 

[pagingjoan]

Thank you for such a fascinating report, RooFlyer.

 

[ellen10]

Thank you for sharing a great trip report and I love looking at your photos!

 

[love_the_life]

Great report; thanks for sharing ​RF.

 

[drron]

The salt mines I presume.

Loved the TR.But it has made me sad having had all my pre 1971 slides stolen.Fantastic pictures from the Solomons and Rabaul in 1969.An American fighter nose down just off the main street in Honiara,tanks in the harbour,landing craft still on the beaches and naturally lovely sunsets.Went back in 1981 and they had cleared most to have "museums".

 

[Milboo]

Thanks for sharing! Feel free to keep digging the slides out - it is fascinating seeing less than common places and also seeing places pre much more accessible travel.

 

[OATEK]

I will have to see if I can pick out any of Dad's pics from the same era. What a great report - thanks for going to the trouble of scanning and posting them.