Blog Entry on Luxor by Professor Lobban in Egypt
January 26, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012:  Luxor

By Thursday we had flown down to the Upper Egyptian town of Luxor to stay at the historic Winter Palace Hotel.  As elsewhere in Egypt, I had visited many, many times before, but the lower number of tourists made this occasion truly delightful and relaxing. The massive excavation of the colonnade of sphinxes long-buried under urban Luxor now presents a spectacular visual link between Karnak and Luxor temples. It was an evening visit to illuminated Luxor temple that was truly exceptional. Our group was simply the only one present. We had the entire temple to ourselves. Our excellent guide, Mohamed, did not have to jostle with crows or shout to be heard. For those wanting to visit Egypt as a spiritual experience, this was the opportunity supreme. Merchants are clearly frustrated by the post-revolution economy and, not wishing them ill, but this is a time that is a shopper’s bonanza. Don’t forget to bargain.