Looking west from Luxor these hot air balloons were a common early morning sight.
 

Some of  our friends decided to check it out.
They were rewarded with a spectacular flight over the Valley of the Kings.
 

Finally landing near the Memnon colossi here they joined the rest of the group.


Those of us who were earthbound saw these 60 ft tall statues close up.


On our way to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens we saw this trail up the mountain leading to a mosque or shrine.


Above the valley we saw this mountain with a shape very reminiscent of the pyramids.
It has been suggested that is one reason for selecting this particular valley for the tombs.
You can ride from the parking area to the tombs on these little wagons.
Lots of tourists all trying to see everything.


Throughout the valleys tombs were excavated for each of the pharaohs and their wives.
Construction was begun when they came to power and ended upon their death.
So if their rule was short ,like King Tut, their tomb would be smaller than others.
This map shows the locations of each of the tombs that have been discovered so far.


And this plastic model lets you see both above and below the surface of the Valley of the Kings.


One of the displays on the welcome center explained how  to read some of the hieroglyphics.


The entrances were tunnels into the mountain.
Most had very simple doorways since it was important to bury them to make it hard for grave robbers to locate.
A few had more elaborate entrances.


You can see how closely spaced some of them were.
Quite a few weren't open to the public.


Some were still being excavated.
    

A few views from inside.
   

Not far from the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens is this temple built to honor Queen Nefriteri.
It was carved in the face of the mountain.


As you get closer one whole level is hidden from view.
 

Some details of the construction.
 

The colors were brighter than one would expect after more than 3000 years.
Here again we saw the claim "I am like Ra forever" in hieroglyphics.
 

Other structures near Nefretari's temple.


A couple of the shops on the west bank.


We visited an alabaster factory where we saw how the rock is carved on to vases and other items.
They put lights inside to demonstrate how translucent they were.
 

Wherever we went the vendors would call out to us inviting us into their shops.
Most of us were given nicknames having something to do with our appearance.
Several times I was called Ali Babba, apparently because of my beard.
They were surprised that we knew the story of his encounter with the 40 thieves.
On the way out of this shop one of the workers jokingly closed the door and wouldn't let me out.
I just said "Open semsem" (semsem is sesame in arabic).
He was quite startled but obligingly opened the door.