April 2009

  • Temple of Esna

    By roskopp on 4/28/09 3:33am
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    Temple of Esna photograph by John CampanaTemple of Esna photograph by John CampanaIf you are travelling down the Nile your boat will probably be delayed as it waits to pass though the locks at Esna (known as Iunyt or Ta-senet by the Egyptians and Latopolis by the Greeks). It is very likely that your boat will be surrounded by felucca and other small boats from which local merchants ply their wares. There are some good deals to be had if you are prepared to haggle and the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. If you do buy anything, your purchase will be thrown up to you so get ready to catch!

    If you are travelling by land, or have time to leave your boat at Esna it is definitely worth exploring for an hour or two. Esna is a small town, best known for its weaving industry and tourist-friendly market but the main attraction is the temple of Esna.

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  • Luxor Temple Complex

    By roskopp on 4/14/09 11:11pm
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    Luxor Temple ComplexThe Luxor temple complex is one of the main tourist attractions at popular destination Luxor (ancient Thebes). It is smaller than the famous temple complex of Karnak but equally worth a visit. It was known as "ipet resyt" ("the southern harem") by the Egyptians.

    The temple complex was originally constructed during the New Kingdom for one of the most famous festivals in the Egyptian calendar – the feast of Opet. During this festival statues of Amun, Mut and Khonso would travel from Karnak in their sacred barques (boats) to the Luxor temple where the marriage of Amun and Mut was celebrated and the Pharaoh was symbolically reunited with his Ka (divine spirit). The city of Luxor would grind to a halt for the festival every year and huge quantities of food and drink would be consumed as the population celebrated.

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