TT178 is easy to get into, once you have walked down into the sunken area containing all of the tombs, plus one other that it is closed.
TT296 is the first one of the two together that we entered. There are some nice hieroglyphs at the entrance.
From here you have to duck down through another hole in order to enter TT296. This is stunning. The art work is superb and it has an amazing ceiling. There are panels containing four different designs.
Then there are the wall paintings
After here, we walked back down to the road so as to make our way to Deir el Medina, the workmens village. As it was a long way by road, we decided to cut across from the Ramose car park, over towards the Ptolomaic temple. En route we came across this man selling fruit and vegetables from his cart.
In the middle, to our amazement, we discovered a football pitch! We later found out that it was over forty years old and was used by the people of the village of Gurna. Their houses were demolished a few years ago to preserve all of the tombs buried beneath them.
We continued across to the temple and once we got near, we were spotted. With a sigh of resignation I realised we were about to be given the heard sell. One was selling plaques, the other carved animals. They remained with us until we reached the walls of the ancient village.
From here we went to the covered rest area for a sit down and a much needed drink of water. To our surprise there were actually visitors! Some French and Dutch people were coming out of the tombs. Not many, about a dozen, but it was still an improvement.
We went down into the tomb of Inerkau then after that, Sennendjem. Both are really beautiful tombs and they never fail to stun me every time I see them. We had also bought a separate ticket for Pashedu. This is a bit of as log uphill but it's well worth it. It too is beautiful, although personally I feel it's not as good as the previous two. However, there are great views from here, down over the village.
By now it was after midday and time to leave. We decided to walk back to the hotel, so off we went down the road. We were the last to leave again. It's seems to be becoming a habit!
Walking along the road towards the ticket office we saw a coach going towards the Valley of the Queens.
We headed over to Kom el Hetan, the Colossi site. It was very busy with workmen everywhere.
Attached to the railings surrounding the site are displays showing the work done and how it probably looked in the time of Amenhotep lll. This was really interesting, as the main two Colossi were either side of the entrance to the first pylon, which would have covered the road and into the field beyond. Until I saw the artist's impression, I hadn't appreciated the size of the site.
Once we had walked the length of the site we crossed the road for a sit down and a drink of fresh lemon juice. This one was made with mint and it was just what we needed after such a long, hot walk.
This was our view, including the poles!
These are the Stingers that are at the side of the road on all the sites now.
The hotel was only a few minutes away so we finished our trek and went for lunch.
After sitting on the roof terrace to write this, we left the hotel to visit the Theban Mapping Library near to the ferry. We waiting a couple of minutes on the road and easily flagged down a passing local minibus. It's 1LE per person for however far you travel, so off we went!
We arrived at the library for 5pm. I was absolutely stunned for two reasons. One, I couldn't believe how well it looked, as last year they were just moving in and I thought it would never be as good as the previous one. Two, I couldn't believe how many children there were! It was absolutely full of children doing different things. Girls were knitting, boys learning to play the guitar, younger ones colouring and others playing with Lego. There were at least four volunteers, as well as Ahmed, who runs the place. The main thing was that the children were just SO happy! It was such a pleasure to see them all.
Ahmed explained the opening hours, 12-6pm and that the children tended to arrive after school, 3pm. There are so many that they have three groups, one per hour, and there's a daily timetable.
Before 3pm they have school, groups coming to visit the library. They run English classes, reading groups and music lessons.
I really couldn't believe the difference that the move has made. It is much easier for the local children to access these lessons and the books.
It was time for our visit to come to an end, as the library was closing. We had a lovely time and if I get chance I'll try and visit again before we leave Luxor.
Another lovely day!
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