Karnak, Luxor and our home (ship) for a few days

Nothing could have prepared me for the treasures of Karnak and Luxor, two huge temples built and rebuilt and added onto for generations. The mere size of the carved columns and painted friezes that have survived outdoors to this day were magnificent. I'm sitting right now in my stateroom on the SS Mayfair looking out at the beautiful temples to a civilization long gone without any real reason. Maybe it was a famine, maybe spent too much on wars, perhaps a goofy religion that relied on live sacrifice..no answers, though I can see a few reasons our civilization might look like this not too far into the future.

Tomorrow we get up at 4AM to go for a sunrise balloon ride over the valley of the Kings. Whether you believe in the "Ancient Aliens" series as Raphie does, or if you just can't fully believe that the math and engineering were that advanced 5,000 years ago. (a bit too American invented EVERYTHING, this is something I have wanted to do since I was a child and read about the Pharoes. The ship is beautiful, but a bit dated. We've met some great people on the trip and I know we'll see them again on our adventures. The best thing about travelling especially with Viking or Gate 1, is that you really meet some great people, experience the land first hand, and the guides are wonderful. Tomorrow should be another amazing day Nate and Raphie