Day 23 -Sunday November 16, 2025 - a balloon ride and exploring the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens
Sunrise over Egypt
I had a 4 am wake up call this morning and was on a motorboat at 4:45 am for a quick ride across the Nile to the Wrst Bank. Boarding was interesting as we had to walk through two other motorboats before reaching ours. Then, into a van for a ride to the balloon lift off site. Before we could leave, we had to wait for our driver to get clearance from Egyptian Civil Air to lift off. Twenty minutes later we were at the lift off site and they were filling over 30 balloons for all the groups that wanted rides.
A balloon ride was on my bucket list and Howard and I tried in Santa Fe many years ago but it was too windy for lift off and our money was refunded. Today I crossed one off my list. The day was perfect and the sunrise gorgeous but not a cloud in the sky.
We were up in the air about 45 minutes and came down not too far from lift off. The balloon held approximately 32 people and it was interesting ( funny word) getting in and out. They provided steps but it was still a leap in and out.
It was worth every penny ($120 US). I’ll probably not have the chance to do it again. And, certainly not in Egypt.
Our balloon being prepared
Lighting her off. Yes, it’s a “she”
Of course they were making a video and took pictures so they could sell it to us.
Everything is starting to rise.
Sunrise in Egypt
Colossi of Memnon flanked with a balloon flying by
These are a pair of huge Egyptian figures , the only remains of the ancient temple of Amenhotep III
A really bad selfie
Can Ming in for a landing
Not everyone went . The group that didn’t, including Wayne, who doesn’t like heights, met us at a cafe afterwards and brought us breakfast boxes from the ship.
It was now 7:30 am and off we went by bus to the famous Valley of the Kings. This location was discovered by the now famous Howard Carter. He discovered the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun in the valley of the Kings in November 1922. The tomb was nearly intact and filled with thousands of artifacts he was buried with including the famous funeral mask, a discovery that created a global sensation. The New York Metropolitan Museum of Ar had a display of king Tut’s artifacts in the last couple of years.
We were able to tour the tombs of Ramses III, Ramses IV, Ramses VII, and the tomb of Tutankhamun. (King Tut).
All of these temples were discovered on their original sites and have never been moved. Unfortunately, all, but the tomb of Tutankhamun had been robbed of all of the artifacts before being discovered in 1922. The only one that was found untouched, was because there was actually another tomb right on top of Tutenkhamun’s.
The most fascinating part about these tombs that we were able to tour were the carvings on the walls and the ceilings and the colors are absolutely amazing to think that they have survived since 1200 BC.
Ramses III Temple lol
Into the valley of kings
Notice how colorful these remain after over 3,200 years
Ceilings in the tomb
Mummified for posterity
Carvings on the walls
All still so alive in color
Ceilings in the tomb
Wayne was with us at the Valley of the Kings, but I think that the food is still causing problems, so he stayed put when we stopped at the valley of Queens and at the mortuary of Hatshepsut. I know the feeling well. Thankfully mine only lasted about 36 hours.
The next stop was at the mortuary of Hatshepsut. Truth be told, I’m about tombed out myself. I went as far as the cafeteria at the site, used the restroom, took a picture of the
mortuary from the outside and drank a bottle of water.
And then on to the Valley of the Queens. Another three tombs to investigate and I threw in the towel and stayed on the bus.
After this, we went to a Nubian family’s house for lunch of truly Egyptian food, a friend of our guide, Sam. I’m going to eat very lightly if at all. I’ve never been one for this cuisine and some of the spices and odors are so different than what we’re used to and I think in some ways it could be the cause of the stomach ailment. All the food they served was grown by them on their own 4 acre farm. The oven in the picture is a mud oven and that’s where they cook their vegetables and meat as well as bake their bread.
Our meal consisted of okra with cranberries and tomato sauce. We also had potatoes in a red sauce, a small piece of beef and a small piece of chicken. They served both hibiscus tea, and they grow their own hibiscus and black tea. Like I said everything they served us they grew. They even grow sugar cane and make their own sugar. They grow wheat and grind their own flour and bran on an old-fashioned grinding wheel. Nothing is wasted, and everything is used.
We ate outside at the family’s home
Our host, Achmed
Behind the shoulders is the Mud Oven used to cook the family meals
The food we were served
We were taken inside the house and shown how they grind their wheat. That’s his mother, behind him grinding the wheat.
I have been eating a lot of bread and “safe” things. Everything I eat MUST be cooked. I NEVER eat fruit or raw vegetables or salad!!! I am definitely craving a salad. I’ll wait until I get home.
The water that rinses the fruits and vegetables is suspect. ONLY bottled water is drunk but it is easy to come by. The ship only has bottled water and I’m even using it to brush my teeth. Other peeled fruit is fine and tastes wonderful. They have a large crop of navel oranges and serve them peeled at each meal. I also had some cantaloupe that was peeled as well. It will be good to get some “American” food.
8,696 steps today so far. I’m definitely tired and sweaty right now. 3 1/2 hours before dinner and I know I won’t make it to the show at 9 pm.
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