Travel is beyond exhausting but always worth it.
We made it to Egypt!
Our hotel in Cairo
A beautiful sunset
Out for a meal at the Grand Nile
Cats everywhere!
The breakfast buffet was outstanding!
Our guide picked us up in the lobby and we traveled to Giza.
There were so many stray dogs here too
Alabaster trinkets and booth set up with souvenirs everywhere you turn
Exploring the Giza Pyramid Complex
The sphinx
It was truly a pinch me moment. It was incredible seeing the pyramids up close. I mean, just how in the world was this created by humans!
The size of the boulders so neatly stacked next to each other was astounding.
Repping the Hawks in Egypt!
The camel ride was fun...but nerve wracking for me. First of all, they are TALL and you are pretty high up off the ground and just mounting and then the camel standing up was pretty intimidating. We didn't have anything really to hold on to except the saddle and it was hot!
learning about papyrus
Hibiscus tea
Grand Egyptian Museum was incredible. We missed the King Tut exhibit opening (didn't realize it was delayed) but there was so many artifacts and treasures to see. We were all incredibly jet-lagged which made an already full day into something that was a bit overwhelming...even for the Millers. Our guide was great and showed us many high-lights in the museum.
Our guide!
The next day we flew from Cairo to Aswan.
The Aswan Dam
Philae Temple is an island based temple in the low dam area of Aswan. It is an ancient Egyptian complex dating from 7th or 6th BC. 
Agilkia Island
Learning about spices and visiting a spice shop.
All aboard our Nile Cruise.
baby crocodile
Temple of Kom Ombo
The temple at Kom Ombo is about 30 miles (48 km) north of Aswan and was built during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395). An earlier structure from the 18th dynasty exists, but only fragments remain.
The temple is unique because it is in fact a double temple, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. The layout combines two temples in one with each side having its own gateways and chapels.
Sobek is associated with the wicked god Seth, the enemy of Horus. In the Horus myth, the allies of Seth made their escape by changing themselves into crocodiles.
This area is absolutely fascinating! The ancient Egyptians possessed such knowledge!
Mummified crocodiles
A horse drawn carriage to the Temple of Edfu
This Egyptian temple is on the West Bank of the Nile. We had to visit many of the locations very early in the morning to avoid the 110 degree mid day heat!
The temple was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt.
Karnak Temple is the largest temple religious complex in the world .
In addition to its religious significance, it was also served as a treasury, administrative center, and palace for the New Kingdom pharaohs
It has 134 massive columns
Obelisks
Scarab
Scenes in Luxor
A sunrise arrival in Luxor to take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings.
Unbelievable
We then traveled to Al Deir Al Bahari.
According to Britannica: Of the three ancient Egyptian structures on the site, one, the funerary temple of King Mentuhotep II (built c. 1970 BCE), has lost much of its superstructure. The second, the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut (built c. 1470 BCE), was uncovered (1894–96) beneath the monastery ruins and subsequently underwent partial restoration. A fuller restoration of the third terrace, sanctuary, and retaining wall was started in 1968 by a Polish archaeological mission, which also found a third temple, built by Thutmose III about 1435 BCE, above and between the two earlier temples. All three temples were linked by long causeways to valley temples with docking facilities. Situated under one of the cliffs, Hatshepsut’s temple in particular is a famous example of creative architectural exploitation of a site. All three temples were largely destroyed by progressive rock falls from the cliffs above.
An unforgettable moment.
A map of the Valley of the Kings
Going into the Valley of the Kings tombs. This was so incredible. The detail, the colors, the hieroglyphs were nothing short of amazing.
These underground tombs that are carved in rock cliffs for the New Kingdom pharaohs and nobles. These have been pillaged when found but you can explore a few of the tombs. The Valley was used for primary burials from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC. It contains at least 63 tombs, beginning with Thutmose I (or possibly earlier, during the reign of Amenhotep I) and ending with Ramesses X or XI, although non-royal burials continued. This is where King Tutankhamun's tomb is and the artifacts are now moved to the museum in Cairo and will be open to the public soon.
Allie enjoying her senior trip with her childhood bestie, Phoebe.
After the Valley of the Kings we went to an Alabaster shop to learn a little about this craft. We bought a few souvenirs as well.
This was a fantastic Egyptian meal on our last day. Most of us suffered from a bit of the travelers stomach upset at this point.
This was our super fun and adorable driver! He also introduced us to the song "Satalana" where we all sang along by the end.
The pollution and grit was intense in the skies!
Almost to our connection in Paris, I spotted the "Eye of Horace" in the air. It was a memorable, educational, HOT and wonderful time to Egypt!
