The Hillmans and the Pharoahs

Warning: Mummy pics, in case you're a bit freaked.

Ramses II (1279-1213 BC) Famous for building Abu Simbel, the giant monument that was moved several hundred yards away from Lake Nasser to preserve it after the Aswan High Dam was built. He also contributed to the temple at Luxor

For all the iconic images of Egypt, let's face it--none of it would be there if it weren't for these guys (and a gal). The Pharaonic period lasted approximately 3,000 years and the many of the surviving temples and tombs were built by these pharoahs. Standing in the tombs, looking at the paintings, walking through the temples was a feeling of...smallness. The ancient Egyptians put their belief in the afterlife above everything else and dedicated their lives to their eventual deaths. We touched hieroglyphics that were 4,000 years old and climbed on blocks cut by impossibly ancient workers. It was surreal to see the images that I've seen all my life on the pages of National Geographic and to be able to first stand in the temples built thousands of years ago, and then see the actual men (well, mummies) that were responsible for their construction. I've never been to Europe to see the cathedrals or the Sistene Chapel or the Louvre, but I am convinced that these works rival anything that has ever been accomplished by humans on earth. The size and scope of the work boggles the mind.

Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BC) His rule represented the peak of ancient Egypt's power and prestige and was marked by some of the greatest architectural achievements, including the Colossi of Memnon (probably the largest temple constructed, although only 2 statues remain) and the temple at Luxor.

We were so fortunate to be able to spend 8 days in Egypt. We flew to Cairo and saw the pyramids and the Sphinx, then headed down to Aswan to see the temple of Philae, built to honor Osiris and Isis. Then it was up the Nile to Luxor, stopping at the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu along the way. We stopped in Esna to have some Turkish coffee and smoke shisha. In Luxor we took in the Valley of the Kings (which we all agreed was the most amazing of the sights), the Luxor and Karnak temples, and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Queen Hatshepsut (died 1458 BC) married her half-brother Thutmosis II. Because the successor to the throne was too young (Thutmosis III, whose mother was another wife) she became regent and then a pharoah, ruling for 20 years.

Then it was back to Cairo to see the oldest Christian churches in Egypt. One of them is built over the place where Mary and Joseph stayed after the birth of Jesus when they were warned by the angel not to return home but go to Egypt instead. We also saw a spectacular mosque (Cairo used to be known as the City of 1,000 minarets) built in the 5th century, one that I think must rival any of Europe's cathedrals.

Thutmosis III (1479-1425 BC) was one of the first to build his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. He was considered the Napolean of ancient Egypt and expanded Egypt's empire into what is now Syria. He built the festival hall and gardens at Karnak and a chapel at the temple of Hatshepsut.

We took some final time for shopping at the Khan al-Khalili district, where the sales techniques and smooth talking were like nothing I've ever seen and eating (Pizza Hut was hands down the favorite) before heading home.