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Pharaohs & Pyramids
  • 710Racing
  • Marisa Fabbri
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  • 710Racing
  • Marisa Fabbri

Pharaohs & Pyramids

Our long awaited journey to see the wonders of Egypt! Read more
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    🇪🇬 Iqlit, Egypt
    Pharaohs & Pyramids
    Good morning, Esna.
    Quite a difference between ancient and modern street levelsExcavations underwayPart of the Egyptian–German restoration projectJust a little scaffoldingExcavating just in front of the mosqueAmazing colorsThe detail is amazing1Imagine what it must have looked like when originally done!You can get your clothes made ........... and pressedEnding our day with traditional dinner appetizers

    Esna, Egypt

    February 2 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Today’s stop is Esna, Egypt and the Temple of Esna, dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum. This stop is such a welcome relief as there is no tour bus and it’s just a short walk from the ship to the temple. Best of all, no crowds!

    After being buried under centuries of soot (from fires lit inside the shrine) and dust, this temple was “rediscovered” in the 19th century and has been the focus of a major Egyptian–German restoration project since 2018.

    Recent work has revealed vibrant original colors on the ceiling and walls that had been hidden for nearly 2,000 years. Local and international teams painstakingly clean soot and grime with tiny tools, and the results are stunning: pops of red, blue, gold, and yellow bring the ancient carvings to life.

    Our walk back to the ship brought us by some interesting markets and shops, including a shop where the proprietor was foot ironing!    Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
    From Ramses II tomb
    From Ramses II tombFrom Ramses II tombFrom Ramses II tombFrom Ramses II tombFrom Ramses II tombFrom Ramses II tombFrom Tutankhamun's tombTut's mummy left in place. When they tried to move it, they broke his toes and "manhood"Tomb of SetiTomb of SetiTomb of Seti

    Valley of the Kings

    February 1 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. It served as the royal burial ground for Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs (roughly 1550–1070 BC). More than 60 tombs have been discovered here, including those of famous rulers like Ramses II, Seti I, and Tutankhamun. We visited only these three due to crowds and time.Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
    So excited!!!
    First balloon in the air. Glad it's not us...but still excited!Yep, very, very cool.1Lots of balloons. Overall, looked to be about 50 in the air.Traveling over Valley of the KingsGetting ready for our landingTemple of Dendera from afar. Looks so dull, until you get inside!Who are you?Ceiling with Egyptian blue. Ceilings were not carved/painted in place. All prefabbed.Here's looking at youAnd, I'm tired too. Time for another nap.

    Luxor & Qena, Egypt - Dendera Temple

    January 31 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    Ok, we wanted to be super brave and decided to take a hot air balloon ride! The ride over Luxor was truly a memorable experience and a great way to see the area from a different perspective. We took off just before sunrise and drifted quietly above the Nile, with views of the temples, farmland, and nearby villages below. As the sun rose over the Valley of the Kings, the scale of Luxor and its history really stood out. It’s an early morning, starting at 4am, but the calm atmosphere and panoramic views make it well worth it.

    After a brief nap and lunch, we visited the Dendera Temple which is located just north of Luxor, and is home to the Temple of Hathor. It is remarkably well preserved, with towering columns, detailed wall carvings, and vibrant ceiling reliefs that still show traces of original color (something missing from other temples). The scale and symmetry of the temple are impressive, but what really stands out is the level of detail—astronomical scenes, hieroglyphs, and reliefs that feel both artistic and precise.    Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
    The Karnak "lions" represent the god Amun
    1Hypostyle Hall consists of 134 columns arranged in 16 rowsKarnak Temple pillar up-closePeople and pillars1An early spreadsheetEntry of Luxor Temple at duskPink granite obelisk is 97 ft, a single stone and tallest in EgyptGuardians of the temple1Full moon over Luxor1The columns of Luxor Temple

    Luxor, Egypt - Karnak and Luxor Temples

    January 30 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Luxor is set on the east bank of the Nile River. The city was once known as Thebes and served as the capital of Egypt's New Kingdom.

    Karnak Temple is impressive mainly because of its sheer size. The complex is huge, and walking through it really shows how important it was in ancient Egypt. The Great Hypostyle Hall stands out the most, with its rows of massive columns covered in carvings and hieroglyphs. There’s a lot to see, but it’s easy to walk around at your own pace and take in the details without feeling rushed.

    Luxor Temple in the evening has a very different feel. As the sun starts to set, the light changes and the stone takes on warmer tones, which makes the temple feel calmer and more atmospheric. Once the lights come on, the statues of Ramses II and the surrounding structures look especially striking. It’s a pleasant place to walk through after a long day, with a nice balance of history and scenery.    Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
    The Grand Egyptian Museum
    Ramses II greets us in the atriumThe face of King Akhenaten (1351-1336 bc)Egyptian hieroglyphs were the formal writing system used in Ancient Egypt. Need to be brief!Corselet jewelry of TutankhamunBronze trumpet and coreTutankhamun's meteoric iron daggerThe outer coffin of TutankhamunGold funerary mask that belonged to TutankhamunThrone of King TutankhamunPapyrus growing along the GEMGreat pyramids and us 🙂First impression of the SphinxWho has the better chin?Our new best friendAll of us smiling

    GEM and Giza Pyramids

    January 29 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    We did a half-day visit to Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and honestly, it was pretty mind-blowing. The building itself is massive and super modern, with huge open spaces and views toward the pyramids that immediately set the tone. Even before getting into the galleries, it feels like an experience rather than just a museum visit.

    The highlight for us was seeing the King Tut artifacts all in one place. The level of detail in the pieces—especially the jewelry, statues, and everyday objects—was incredible. It really hits you how young he was and how much care went into everything buried with him. Even though it was only a half-day tour, it didn’t feel rushed, and we had enough time to really take things in without museum fatigue.

    Our afternoon consisted of visiting the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. This was one of those “wow, this is actually happening” moments. You see them in photos, but standing there in person is something else entirely. The pyramids are massive in a way that’s hard to wrap your head around, and it’s wild to think they’ve been standing there for thousands of years while the city of Cairo buzzes just beyond the desert.

    The Sphinx was smaller than imagined, but still impressive and a little mysterious. Seeing it up close, with that half-smile and missing nose, really makes you stop and wonder how much history it’s watched go by.

    One of the highlights was definitely the camel ride. Was it a little awkward getting on and off? Absolutely. Was it totally worth it? Also yes. Riding a camel across the desert with the pyramids in the background felt like a classic Egypt moment—part touristy, part hilarious, and part “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” The views were fantastic, and it made for some great photos (and laughs).    Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
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    Detailed etching and colors from inside the pyramidCarpet-making expertise!Welcome "band" announcing lunch is readyThe Citadel construction began in 1176 as a military fortification project1Mosque ceiling1Ongoing repairs at the citadel...non-OSHA approvedAdventures through the Khan el-Khalili MarketBeautiful lamps for sale

    Saqqara and Cairo

    January 28 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    The Step Pyramid at Saqqara is one of those places that doesn’t just look ancient—it feels ancient. Built around 4,700 years ago for Pharaoh Djoser, it’s considered the world’s oldest large-scale stone structure. Basically, this is where pyramid building officially began.

    What makes it so important is that it was the first time anyone tried stacking stone into this kind of shape. Before this, tombs were flat, rectangular structures called mastabas. Someone (genius architect Imhotep) had the idea to stack a bunch of them on top of each other, and just like that, the Step Pyramid was born. That experiment paved the way for the smooth-sided pyramids we later see at Giza.

    Afterwards, we make a quick stop at a carpet-making school where children learn the craft from experienced artisans, tying individual knots to form intricate designs. No carpets bought this time….but it was tempting!

    Next stop was the Citadel, perched high above the city with sweeping views of Cairo. The Mosque of Muhammad Ali is stunning inside and out—huge domes, chandeliers, and marble everywhere. It’s one of those places where you pause, look around, and just take it all in.

    We ended the day at Khan el-Khalili Market, which was pure sensory overload in the best way. Narrow alleys packed with spices, lanterns, jewelry, souvenirs, and people trying to sell you literally everything. We didn’t buy anything, but wandering through the chaos is an experience on its own. We grabbed dinner with fellow cruise mates and headed back to the hotel for much needed rest.    Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
    Colorful Alexandria Streets
    The "well" used to lower the caskets into the tomb. (Easier than carrying down the stairs)Etched in stone....One of the few frescos still intactCatacombs for the "regular" guysLots of art underground to impress the godsThe cobra holds great significance in Egyptian history1How you doin'?

    Alexandria, Egypt

    January 27 in Egypt ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    We took a half-day trip from Cairo to Alexandria, the first capital of Egypt, and packed in some of the city’s highlights. Our first stop was the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a stunning 2nd-century AD Roman burial complex accidentally found in 1900 when a donkey fell into a hidden shaft leading to the uncovering of the site. This underground maze blends ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles—it felt a bit mysterious (and surprisingly cool) as we walked down into the tunnels.

    From there, we headed to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria which was once one of the largest libraries worldwide and estimated to have been built in 285 BC. The ancient library was populated by books(scrolls) from ships coming into port; their port dues being one book. Today, the modern library, cultural center, and conference center is a major learning center.

    We wrapped up the day at Fort Qaitbey, a 15th-century fortress built on the site of the old Lighthouse of Alexandria. The sea breeze, crashing waves, and views of the harbor made it a perfect final stop for lunch before heading back to Cairo. It was a quick trip, but it gave us a great mix of history, culture, and coastal scenery—all in just half a day.    Read more

  • Pharaohs & Pyramids
    View of Cairo from hotel balcony. A little bit of smog and a little bit of the Nile river.
    Coptic museum mashrabiyas external window overingsMashrabiyas window covering from the insideBeautiful wooden ceiling in the Coptic MuseumEgyptian influenced stained glass windowsExploring the beauty of the Hanging ChurchThe Egyptian MuseumThose nuns really knew how to take care of pests.....Al-Azhar Mosque - first established mosque in the city

    Old Cairo & its Coptic Quarter

    January 26 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We ease into our first full day in Cairo after the long journey by meeting our guide, Heba. Along with another couple, Eileen and Jerry, we set out to see a few of the city’s sights and experience daily life in a city of 10.5 million people—and the traffic that comes with it. Heba reassures us that Cairo is relatively safe, with little pickpocketing or vandalism, though she warns us to be cautious when “window shopping,” as merchants can be quite aggressive with their sales pitches.

    We head into the old part of the city, known as Coptic Cairo, to explore the Old Quarter of the Egyptian capital. The Coptic Quarter played an important role in early Christianity and remained a stronghold for the faith during the Islamic era. We spend some time at the Coptic Museum, which sits on the ruins of the Roman Babylon Fort and houses the largest collection of Christian artifacts in the world. One of the things that really caught my eye was the mashrabiyas covering the museum windows—beautifully carved wooden screens that let in air and light while still providing privacy and filtering the harsh sunlight. They’re such stunning pieces of craftsmanship.

    Just a short walk from the museum is the Hanging Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It’s one of the oldest and most well-known Christian landmarks in the region, dating back to the late 4th or early 5th century. What makes it especially unique is that it’s built on the ruins of the southern gatehouse of the Roman Babylon Fortress, with the main nave literally “hanging” over a passage below. This is also where we start to realize that much of Cairo is built layer upon layer, right on top of earlier buildings.

    Our last visit is to the Ben Ezra Synagogue where according to local folklore, it is located on the site where baby Moses was found. Given the small population of Egyptian Jews, the synagogue is no longer active and is largely a tourism site and Jewish museum.    Read more

  • Trip start
    January 24, 2026
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