Wednesday 24 December 2014

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Jane, Mahmoud and all at Flats in Luxor. 



Friday 19 December 2014

Egypt reopens tomb as tourism falls - The Art Newspaper

 Exciting!!!!!!



Egypt reopens tomb as tourism falls - The Art Newspaper: Egypt plans to reopen the royal tomb of Nefertari, a wife of Ramesses II (who reigned from 1279BC to 1213BC), on a regular basis after it was closed for eight years because of concerns over the condition of the site’s wall paintings.

The burial site in the Valley of the Queens was opened for ten days in mid-October to celebrate the 110th anniversary of its discovery by the Italian archaeologist Ernesto Schiaparelli. Speaking at an event in London last month, Egypt’s minister of tourism, Hisham Zazou, proposed that the site remains open. “I want to make sure [this period] is expanded, so it is open every month,” Zazou said, adding that the tomb would be open one week a month to a limited number of tourists. Access was restricted to 150 visitors before it was closed in 2006.

Sleeping Trains - E7gezly

 Hearing good things about booking trains online here is the link

Sleeping Trains - E7gezly

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Folklore Show on 18th December


IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
Dr Medhat Elsaied, minister of youth and sport for Luxor, would like to invite all residents and visitors to a folklore show at the Cultural palace in Awamiya tomorrow, 18th December, at 7pm.


via Barbara Clarke

Monday 15 December 2014

23 statues and precious objects uncovered in the Ptah Temple at Karnak « CFEETK – Centre Franco-Égyptien d'Étude des Temples de Karnak – SCA / USR 3172 CNRS

23 statues and precious objects uncovered in the Ptah Temple at Karnak « CFEETK – Centre Franco-Égyptien d'Étude des Temples de Karnak – SCA / USR 3172 CNRS: In continuation of the research leading to the discovery of a limestone sphinx last week, archaeologists of the French-Egyptian Centre for the Study of Karnak temples have unearthed 23 new statuettes and other small precious items to the east of the Ptah temple at Karnak.



I must admit I have always suspected that area north of Karnak was potential the source of interesting things as the ground level was 2-3 foot above the path and flooring.

Sunday 14 December 2014

Minister inaugurates Northern Colossus

These are situated to the north of the of the temple, if you go along the road that runs from the ticket office to the Valley of Kings and take the first road east after Merenptah's temple.

Saturday 13 December 2014

from Luxor Governorate Facebook page Amenhotep III tomb opening

Luxor Governorate: Announcement
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN FROM
‪#‎LUXOR‬ LOVERS,,, READ CAREEFULLY

‪#‎Tomorrow‬ 14th of December at Noon Minister of Antiquities and the governor of Luxor will open Amenhotep III tomb
And the re-installation of Amenhotep III statue
In the west bank
A press conference will be held at the same place of the event.
This is a great present for Luxor Visitors,, Enjoy it

PS having seen the pictures I have concluded the Luxor Governate page is wrong and the tomb in question is Amenhotep son of Huy

Luxor Governorate annouced #‎National‬ ‪#‎Stick #Festival in ‪#‎Luxor

Luxor Governorate: #‎National‬ ‪#‎Sticking‬#Festival in ‪#‎Luxor‬#

‪#‎WATCH‬ IT PLEASE,,,
Starting from December 17th until December 21th the festival figures will begin at Abu El haggag yard in Luxor.
A great competition will be between the sons of skilled level in this game
Known to be the Stick art one of the Egyptian martial arts derived from the ancient Pharaonic assets, and uses the wooden sticks in fencing, stick used in the art of logging is not "aggression stick" but "Stick of love" to save the rights and peace and uphold the nobility and magnanimity.

Friday 12 December 2014

My first review through Airbnb

Profile - Airbnb: Jane was an amazing host. She went out of her way to help our group and arranged an outstanding and very reasonable private dinner for us on the rooftop terrace. Her place is located in a secluded area of Luxor and was quite peaceful. We were very sorry to not be able to stay for longer. I highly recommend staying at her place for a few days. Thanks again Jane!!!

Tomb of Pharaonic queen found in Egypt - Al Arabiya News

Tomb of Pharaonic queen found in Egypt - Al Arabiya News
Tomb of Pharaonic queen found in Egypt



During the Ramesside Period -- the Nineteenth Dynasty (1314-1200 BC) and Twentieth Dynasty (1200-1085 BC) -- 11 kings were named Rameses.

The tomb of a queen from ancient Egypt’s Ramesside Period has been discovered in Luxor by a joint team of Egyptian and French archaeologists, the antiquities ministry announced Thursday.

“Research is continuing to determine the name of the pharaoh she was married to,” a statement said.



Thursday 11 December 2014

Newsletters - Animal Welfare of Luxor

AWOL, the only animal charity on the west bank where I live, have just released their Xmas news letter. It is great to see the practical help they give to the Egyptian animals.



Newsletters - Animal Welfare of Luxor

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Discovery of a sphinx statue at the temple of Ptah « CFEETK – Centre Franco-Égyptien d'Étude des Temples de Karnak – SCA / USR 3172 CNRS

Official press release with video! 



Discovery of a sphinx statue at the temple of Ptah « CFEETK – Centre Franco-Égyptien d'Étude des Temples de Karnak – SCA / USR 3172 CNRS: Archaeologists from the French-Egyptian Centre for the Study of the Karnak Temples (CFEETK, MAE/USR 3172 CNRS) discovered Thursday, December 4, 2014 the statue of a sphinx as part of the study programme of the temple of Ptah at Karnak led by Christophe Thiers (CNRS).

Monday 8 December 2014

The sarcophagus of god Amun's singer unearthed - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online

The sarcophagus of god Amun's singer unearthed - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online: During restoration work at Amenhotep Huy tomb, at Qurnet Marei at Assassif area on Luxor’s west bank, a Spanish Egyptian archaeological mission stumbled upon what is believed to be the sarcophagus of god Amun’s singer.

Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Eldamaty told Ahram Online that the sarcophagus is well preserved condition and houses the mummy of the deceased. He continued that until now the name of the sarcophagus owner has not been revealed yet but the sarcophagus is dated to the Third Intermediate Period (100-900 BC).

“It has a unique style that was common during the reign of the 21th dynasty,” Eldamaty told Ahram Online..........................

Sunday 7 December 2014

Ahmed HarfousH, Jazz Vocalist & Entertainer - YouTube

 Spotted on Facebook shared by Linda Van den Driessche "back in Luxor
soon: the great Jazz Entertainer Ahmed Harfoush! Meeting place : Marsam
Hotel - Westbank Luxor on 2 January 2015."





Now last time this was a hugely enjoyable evening.

Saturday 6 December 2014

Sphinx unearthed at Karnak temple | Cairo Post

Sphinx unearthed at Karnak temple | Cairo Post: CAIRO: A limestone statuette of a Sphinx has been unearthed during a routine excavation north of Luxor’s Karnak temple complex, according to Abdel-Hakim Karar, director of the Upper Egypt Antiquities Department, Friday.

“The 60-centimeter tall statue was discovered to the east of the sanctuary of the temple of God Ptah, one of the four main temple enclosures that make up the immense Karnak temple complex,” Karar told The Cairo Post Friday.

It was discovered by archaeologists from the French-Egyptian Centre for the Study of the Karnak Temples, currently excavating at the northern area of the precinct of Amun-Re temple, according to Karar......................

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Huy tomb open to public soon - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online

Huy tomb open to public soon - Ancient Egypt - Heritage - Ahram Online: Tomb of Nubia Viceroy during the reign of King Tutankhamun is to be opened in mid-December at Qurnet Marei on Luxor’s west bank

Here the light is raw - an exhibition by Christophe Brogliolo

This Thursday 4th December at 6pm there is an opening of exhibition of pinhole photography at the Marsam Hotel. I met up with Christophe today for a sneak preview and he told me about himself.




Here are some of the photographs.


He uses a pinhole camera now as it happens I knew what he was talking about as I took my daughter to the Fox Talbot museum over a decade ago and we made a pinhole camera and took some photos and developed them. Christophe and I had a discussion and he told me about the Frenchman Nicéphore Niépce - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  and I told him about Henry Fox Talbot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . So do have a read to learn about this early technique.

There is a buffet available after the opening for 60LE but you need to book 01003426471 The exhibition will be open for one month.

Karnak Webcam

Thanks to Mirelle for the new link

MOT Gateway

Monday 1 December 2014