Curse of Tutakhamun

While in Cairo we visited the Egyptian Museum, a labarynth of rooms housing over 12000 items covering every period of egyptian history. It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the stone carvings, jewlery, gold, pottery and all sorts of treasures recovered from the sands. But at centre stage was Tutankhamun and his 1700 items incliding a glittering solid gold death mask and gold coffin. So now that we were in Luxor we had to go and see the actual tomb where the treasures were found and his mummy which is still inside.

Having decided this was actually meant to be the relaxing bit of our trip we joind a small organised tour of the tombs deep in the mountains surrounding Luxor. A quick stop at Colossi of Memnon (2 60 foot high status of Amenhotep III) we went to Hatshepsut temple built in the sheer limestone cliff face. Stunning reliefs, inticate carvings and murals which have retained their colour for over 3000 years. An amazing history that would make great soap box TV involving Hatsheput taking the throne illigitimatelly, pretending to be a man, the son finally killing her and taking the throne himspef, then defacing and destroying all traces of her.

Next stop Valley of the Kings and several tombs hidden in the cliff deep underground with coloured chambers telling the story of the journey though the afterlife. And the most recently discovered tomb by Cater in 1922 - Tutankhanmun. While not as ornate it was amazing to see his mummy still inside the tomb.

Last stop was Deir al mMedina or the valley of the artisans with more beautiful mut much smaller chambers that you had to crouch down to discover.

What a day!