9th October 2010
Winter Palace Hotel Extension
The temperature here is cooling; today it was 36c with a wind; which was very nice and welcoming.
I am not sure if you can remember the site before it was cleared. There were many shops in a kind of arcade, some of them were very nice indeed and some good antiques ones.
The first picture shows the site just after the buildings were all pulled down. Now the site is all cleared and leveled. They have planted lines of trees on what I can only imagine will be the boundary line of the new development. Some of you might have seen the very large boards that front the building plot that give you an idea of what the finished project will look like. I must say, that if it ever looks as the pictures on the boards, it will truly be a wonderful place. It could be though, that it will be so large that it will overwhelm everything near to it including Luxor Temple. These days, it is hard to know what is in the minds of the Governor or planners, if there are any planners.
Winter Palace Hotel Extension
The temperature here is cooling; today it was 36c with a wind; which was very nice and welcoming.
I am not sure if you can remember the site before it was cleared. There were many shops in a kind of arcade, some of them were very nice indeed and some good antiques ones.
The first picture shows the site just after the buildings were all pulled down. Now the site is all cleared and leveled. They have planted lines of trees on what I can only imagine will be the boundary line of the new development. Some of you might have seen the very large boards that front the building plot that give you an idea of what the finished project will look like. I must say, that if it ever looks as the pictures on the boards, it will truly be a wonderful place. It could be though, that it will be so large that it will overwhelm everything near to it including Luxor Temple. These days, it is hard to know what is in the minds of the Governor or planners, if there are any planners.
Amenhotep-III Temple Site - Memnon
There does not seem to be much work going on here, but then we have just come out of the summer period and I expect work will resume in the winter as it normally does. The site seems to be covered in secrecy and most of the finds are covered with white sheets. They don’t like people taking photos of the site but I did manage to take some today. It is so surprising what they keep finding here on this site.
Caravanserai-Crafts Habu
I was on a mission for a friend to look up a Crafts shop at Habu. Here are a few pictures I took for her. This shop sells many things, some new and some old. I was impressed by some of the tin trays, pots, and teapots.
I was on a mission for a friend to look up a Crafts shop at Habu. Here are a few pictures I took for her. This shop sells many things, some new and some old. I was impressed by some of the tin trays, pots, and teapots.
Felucca on the Nile
I have been on Hesham’s felucca four times now, once we had a picnic on board and on another sail we stopped off at Banana Island where we had drinks. On two occasions I went swimming in the Nile, but only where the Nile waters were flowing and relatively clean. I mention Hesham because he is a very honest guy, very experienced with the felucca and very fare with his prices, he also has a good ships mate. No hassle with him. I believe that when you find something that is good, its worth shouting about. So, if any of you are coming to Luxor, as I know some of you are, and you are thinking of taking a felucca sail, then I can really recommend this guy.
Banana Island has changed a lot now and so quick. There is a swimming pool and they have build many studio rooms where there were once banana trees. Just on one side they are building what looks like another restaurant also with pool. It all still looks good but it probably suits the younger group and back-packers the most.
Hesham: [email protected]
Village Tours
I am not sure if any of you have ever thought of doing a Village tour on the West bank. I was recently told that they to this for tourists. These villages are a wonderful way of taking in the local atmosphere and culture. I do recommend it as these villages are truly great. I enclose a picture of me with a baby buffalo.
Old Qurna
I enclose a photo of the only standing group of houses at Qurna. There are no people living there. It looks to be very tidy, so perhaps it stands as an example of how it used to look. It is now a National Heritage site.