Activities in Nile Valley

Fayoum Bird Watching tours, booking, prices, reviews

Fayoum Bird Watching is one the famous activities in Egypt. In fact, the oasis is a wonderful bird watching destination. Fayoum well known for its delicious fruits and vegetables. Birds migrate to the oasis for the lush plants and the waters of Qarun’s Lake. The lake is the largest salt water lake in Egypt. The watching of birds include Grebes, coots, ducks and shorebirds during winter. In its South-Western part, the Fayoum depression is also home to the Rayan Valley. It also called Wadi El Rayan.

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In fact, the valley covers 11,450 hectares of lakes. Moreover, it also covers 1,580 hectares of wetlands and 160,949 hectares of desert lands. The area declared as a protected area in 1989. Being near from Cairo, the area visited yearly by hundreds or thousands of Egyptians. It also visited by foreign tourists who enjoy the natural features of the protectorate.

Hatnub Quarries Asyut Egypt tours, prices, booking

Hatnub quarries Asyut are stone quarries which located in Asyut, Egypt. In fact, Hatnub quarries are just 65 Kilometer south of El Minya. Moreover, the quarries located to the south east of Tell El Amarna. Furthermore, the area contains the principal quarries for travertine or calcite. Moreover, it known as “Egyptian Alabaster” and used from the Old Kingdom. In fact, the name Hatnub means “Mansion of Gold”. The site had many hieroglyphic inscriptions, graffiti and pottery sherds. In fact, the hieroglyphic inscriptions enabled us to understand the history of the site. There are inscriptions of Dynasty VI kings Teti and Pepi I which carved into the quarried rock.

The site perhaps immortalized during this period in the “Biography of Weni”. In fact, the Biography of Weni is from the official’s tomb chapel at Abydos. In his biographical text, Weni described a mission he undertook for Pepi’s son Merenre. The inscription says “His Majesty sent me to Hatnub to bring a great altar of alabaster”. So, it presumably used in the construction of Merenre’s pyramid. Moreover, Pepi II’s name also appears in texts here. Hatnub quarries were, at least in the early days, for use by the king. Yet, later graffiti shows that wealthy families also exploited the valuable stone. In fact, it was in the First Intermediate Period.

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Moreover, there are important topics which addressed in texts from Hatnub quarries. They include the struggle of the Herakleopolitan rulers against the Theban rebels. It was at the end of the First Intermediate Period. In fact, the Theban kings gained in power. The inscriptions of the ruler Mentuhotep recorded on the rock walls. Moreover, the inscription of Mentuhotep IV also recorded on the rock walls. In fact, they were from the Middle Kingdom. Mentuhotep IV’s texts show that some of the nomarchs of Middle Egypt were troublesome. The nomarchs of the Heliopolitan nome were self-styled ‘”kings”. In fact, the kings who still held power during the Middle Kingdom.

In fact, it was although now more supervised by the pharaoh’s officials. The ruler of the Hermopolite nome, Neheri, left inscriptions at the site. In fact, the inscriptions dated back to his own “reign”. Moreover, the inscriptions shows that he challenged the Theban pharaoh’s authority. One of the last of the powerful nomarchs was Djutihotep of Dynasty XII. In fact, his tomb located at Deir El Bersha. The tomb contains a depiction of 172 men who drag a colossal alabaster statue. In fact, the statue is over 6.5 meter high and they drag is from Hatnub quarries Asyut. The site much used in the New Kingdom. Moreover, the quarries received attention from Amenhotep I of Dynasty XVIII time.

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There is colossal alabaster Sphinx in the precinct of the Ramesside temple at Memphis. In fact, this sphinx carved from calcite from the Hatnub quarries. Moreover, the sphinx was one of a pair who guarded an earlier monument at Memphis. Furthermore, they placed there by Hatshepsut. In fact, Hatshepsut’s name identified on an alabaster jar fragment. The jar is from the Temple of Ptah at Memphis. In fact, she was the first New Kingdom ruler. Moreover, she built many monuments in Middle Egypt and of course had access to the Hatnub quarries Asyut. In fact, the site had three principal quarrying areas. Moreover, the site’s main quarry (P) is a pit 55 meter by 85 meter in area and 16 meter deep.

Moreover, there were also settlements for the workers. In fact, the settlements characterized by dry stone walls and windbreaks. Moreover, they also characterized by a transportation system of causeways and roads. The site was an important source for the precious stone. In fact, the stone carved so that the light would shine through it. Moreover, it used in the construction of altars, sarcophagi and beautiful shrines. The shrines are such as that of Senusret I which reconstructed in Karnak open-air museum. In fact, there was nothing to equal its aesthetic qualities in Ancient Egypt.

Elephantine Island Aswan Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Elephantine Island Aswan is an island which located in the center of the Nile at Aswan. In fact, the island was the original “border town”. The border town was between Egypt and the Nubian lands to the south. Moreover, in ancient times it was an important strategic position. It was both for the defense of the border and as a trading route. The island inhabited from the Early Dynastic Period. It was through Roman times until the present day. In fact, the ancient name of Elephantine Island Aswan was “Apu” or “Yebu”. It means elephant and derived from the shape of the smooth gray boulders. In fact, the boulders surround the island and look like elephants in the water. There was a great deal of building activity on the island. In fact, it was over the centuries. Though most of the ancient structures vanished now.

Excavations and reconstructions carried out over the past 100 years. It was by teams of German archaeologists. The largest surviving structure today is the temple of the ram-headed creator-god Khnum. The temple located at the southern end of the Elephantine island Aswan. In fact, the temple dates back from the New Kingdom to Roman times. A granite gateway built by Alexander is the only large structure of the temple. It remains intact and the ruins behind it are difficult to identify due to ongoing excavation. At the front of the temple a restored pavement. It surrounds fragmentary remains of columns which built by Ramses II. This leads down to a Roman quay. In fact, the temple oriented east to west. There is little to seen of the interior of the Temple of Khnum. The temple has a large square granite gateway which is one of the few surviving structures.

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In fact, there were excavation seasons of Elephantine Island Aswan. It was During the past few years by the German Swiss Mission to. They investigated around the New Kingdom remains of the Temple of Khnum. They recently uncovered more of the plan of the temple. In fact, they uncovered the location of pylons, columned court and forecourt. They also uncovered as a possible festival hall of Amenhotep II. Further north, behind the museum building there is the site of a small restored Temple of Satis. In fact, she was the consort of Khnum. The temple built in the time of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. The reconstruction done with the few reliefs supplemented by drawn elements. In fact, the temple built over Middle Kingdom remains. Moreover, it is beneath different floor levels and also a Dynasty VI temple.

The latest structure to emerge from the excavations at the temple is an Early Dynastic shrine. It seen in a crypt-like area below the reconstructed temple. In fact, it must be one of the earliest remaining Temples in Egypt. One of the most interesting structures on Elephantine Island Aswan is the Nilometer. It is just in front of the museum. In fact, it was one of the earliest known nilometers and which used by the ancient Egyptians. It used to measure the height of the Nile floods to forecast the level of inundation. As a result, they can gauge taxes for the coming harvest. It has 90 steps which lead down to the river from the entrance. Along the banks of the island, there are many boulder inscriptions. They name the kings and governors who associated with the island.

How to get to Elephantine Island Aswan:

The island can reached by Felucca from anywhere along the Corniche. You can also take a motor boat from a landing near the telephone office. There is a private ferry which goes to the Oberoi Hotel but this lands inside the hotel enclosure.

Hawara Pyramid Fayoum Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Hawara Pyramid Fayoum called the Black Pyramid. In fact, the pyramid constructed by Amenmehat III. He was the sixth Pharaoh of the 12th dynasty of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. It was around 1850 BC. The pyramid situated 9 kilometers to the East of the El Fayoum city. It built out of brick stones and then coated by limestone. In fact, the pyramid was a large structure and 58 meters high. Moreover, each side of the base of the pyramid was around 100 meters long. In fact, Hawara Pyramid Fayoum has a burial chamber. It cut out of rock in the beginning in the shape of a rectangle. And then, a large single piece of quartzite put inside the cavity of the burial chamber. At the end of the building process, this piece of quartzite emptied to build the burial chamber.

In fact, it indeed is the most important section of any pyramid in ancient Egypt. The chamber became a room with four walls. Each wall is half a meter thick, seven meters high and two meters and a half wide. In fact, the thieves were able to enter the burial chamber. It was through an opening in the ceiling. They stole all the valuable and important items that the priests have put inside it. It was in spite of all these precautions carried out by Amenmehat III to protect his pyramid. Hawara Pyramid Fayoum constructed with the sarcophagus of the King. In fact, it made out of quartzite and positioned inside the burial chamber. Three blocks of stones put on top of the large stone. In fact, the large stone used to close the opening that leads to the burial chamber.

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The whole pyramid built over these stones. The inner passageways of the pyramid built and designed in a fascinating artistic style. In fact, it was to deceive the thieves. The thieves indeed were clever in stealing the gold and jewelry. In fact, the gold and jewelry buried with the kings and queens of ancient Egypt.

Hawara Village:

The village of Hawara located 9 kilometers to the South East of El Fayoum city. In fact, it indeed is one of the wonderful Egyptian destination. The village of Hawara situated around 100 kilometers to the South East of Cairo. In fact, Hawara known since ancient Egypt and it called Hat Wa’art which means the footsteps. And then, it named Laprincess. Some historians believe that this name derived from the name of the Temple of Amenmehat III in Hawara.

In fact, the “Laprent” or the temple located at the outlet of the lake. Some archeologists to unearthed some of the most wonderful portraits in Hawara. In fact, they now and called “the Portraits of the Fayoum”. These are 146 portraits of different people. They drawn with paint and date back to the period from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AC.

Amenmehat III:

In fact, the king Amenmehat III is the builder of Hawara Pyramid Fayoum. He ruled Egypt in the 19th century BC and was the son of the King Sesostris III. The last one made great achievements during his reign. In fact, the achievements were like having peaceful political conditions with the neighboring countries. The countries located to the North and East of Egypt. Furthermore, he also had Nubia which located to the South under his control. In fact, Amenmehat remained the king of Egypt for 45 years. He and he followed the steps initiated by his precursors of the 12th dynasty. Moreover, he added 17,000 acres to the area of planted land in the Fayoum. In fact, he made use of a large section of the huge Qarun Lake at the time. Furthermore, he had many constructions which erected in the region.

In fact, it is like his pyramid and mortuary temple in Hawara. He also had some sections of Medinet Madi which dedicated to the god Sobek. Amenmehat III also interested in mining for different materials. It was to assist him in his constructions. In fact, in this period, mining activities of turquoise in Sinai flourished. He also had some additions constructed in the goddess Hathour temple in Serbet El Khadim in Sinai. The favorite wife of Amenmehat III called Aat. Her tomb unearthed near his pyramid in Dahshur. In fact, it constructed before his other achievements in the Fayoum. Actually, the king never pleased with his pyramid in Dahshur. The pyramid severs obstacles and faults which found even during the building process. That is why, he guided his efforts, money, and time to Hawara Pyramid Fayoum.

Hawara Pyramid Fayoum Construction:

Amenmehat III wanted his new pyramid in Hawara will not fall down. it was after his failure attempt in Dahshur. That is why the engineers constructed it with a much lower angle than the other pyramid in Dahshur. There was a smaller pyramid which located on top of the original pyramid. In fact, the lower plan and design of Hawra Pyramid Fayoum complicated. Moreover, maybe it influenced by the design of the step Pyramid of Saqqara. The last one built early in the beginning of the period of the Old Kingdom. The first feature of Hawara Pyramid Fayoum was different from the previous pyramids. In fact, the previous pyramid which built before it during the period of the Old Kingdom. Amenmehat III made the entrance to his pyramid in the Southern section.

The entrance to the previous pyramids are in the Northern section of the pyramids. In fact, it was an intelligent idea by the King. The idea was to mislead any thieves who want to rob the items which put inside the pyramid. Moreover, Amenmehat III built a long staircase which leads the thieves to a small room. In fact, it was to let thieves beleive that it is the burial chamber. The real burial chamber entered through a narrow short passageway. It located on the ground and blocked by a large stone that weighs more than 45 tons. A hidden opening in the ceiling gives way to another passageway. In fact, it runs in different directions; to the East, the North and then finally to the West. It makes it more difficult to reach the antechamber. In fact, the antechamber enables the passer to enter the burial chamber.

The tomb of Nefruptah:

In fact, Nefruptah tomb located near Hawara Pyramid Fayoum. It located a half kilometer to the North of the pyramid. The princess Nefruptah is the favorite daughter of the King Amenmehat III. The tomb constructed out of limestone and it used to contain a granite sarcophagus. In fact, it transferred to the Egyptian Antiquities Authority. When the princess passed away, a beautiful sarcophagus made for her. It positioned inside Hawara Pyramid Fayoum. In fact, it was a contradiction to the habits of the kings and royal family of ancient Egypt. They they used to put the sarcophagus of the king only in the burial chamber. An offerings table and three utensils made out of silver found inside the tomb. Moreover, a necklace which belonges to the princess found inside her tomb.

Mortuary temple of Amenmehat III:

Beside the Pyramid of Hawara, lies also the ruins of the Mortuary Temple of Amenmehat III. In fact, the temple attached to the pyramid when they first constructed. This temple used to contain 12 halls with ceilings. Six of them positioned to the North and the other six positioned to the South. In fact, the Mortuary temple of Amenmehat III used to have a large fortified wall. Furthermore, it used to contain more than 300 different rooms and chambers. Half of them located under the ground and they hosted the mausoleum of the king. The rest of the rooms situated above the ground. Nothing remains of this structure today except the pillars of the ground floor. In fact, the underground floor not excavated until today.

Horemheb tomb Luxor Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Horemheb tomb Luxor Egypt KV 57 discovered by a young British Egyptology man named Edward Ayrton. It was in 1908. Horemheb was the successor of Ay, who in turn, had succeeded Tutankhamun as pharaoh of Egypt. He actually not related to the earlier kings of the 18th dynasty. Though he served in the courts of first Amenophis IV, and then Tutankhamun and finally Ay. Horemheb was a royal scribe and general of the armies at various times. He restored the old worship of Amun. Furthermore, he also reconstructed the provincial administration and military cadres. Horemheb tomb Luxor filled with rubble. Moreover, it washed in by the infrequent rain over the past thousands of years. Another two days required to clean the rubble from the tomb itself. It was after removing the debris from the entrance.

Unfortunately, much of the funerary equipment was in pieces due to the rubble. In his tomb, Horemheb developed several innovations. They would carry on from the 18th into the 19th dynasty tomb builders. The tomb does not have the right angle between the end of the descending corridor. This angle found in earlier 18th dynasty tombs. Horemheb tomb Luxor Egypt features painted bas-reliefs. It is instead of the simple paintings which found in earlier tombs. Horemheb inscribes passages from the Book of Gates on walls rather than those from the Amduat. The Book of Gates is a religious composition. It is about the “gates” that separate the night’s twelve hours.

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In fact, there are many of idiosyncrasies in the tomb which never repeated. These include a slope in the burial chamber from the first pair of pillars to the steps of the “crypt”. A second set of stairs leads to the crypt and a lower storeroom beneath the burial chamber’s annex. Entering Horemheb tomb Luxor, the first stairway down ends in a corridor. It leads in turn to a second stairway and a second corridor. Finally, one arrives at the first room with a shaft. On the walls of the shaft are paintings of two groups of deities. The first group is Hathor, Isis, Osiris and Horus on the left. Hathor, Anubis, Osiris and Horus to the right. Here, Isis replaces the goddess Nut which found in earlier tombs. Decorations, as in earlier tombs, limited to this shaft.

The antechamber and the burial chamber are proper. The painting in Horemheb tomb Luxor much more sophisticated than many earlier tombs. They produced by more skillful artists. They vary the stances, gestures and clothing of the figures. There is also an extensive use of color. In fact, it features multicolored hieroglyphs and blue-green backgrounds. From here, Horemheb leads to a two-pillar hall and then to a third corridor and finally a vestibule. The burial chamber with its six pillars and four lateral and one back annex are next. The annexes used to store funerary equipment. In fact, the king’s large, red granite sarcophagus and the walls are in the burial chamber. Walls painted with the fifth division from the Book of Gates, including a figure of Osiris.

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The sarcophagus is interesting from the standpoint. It incorporates features both from before and after the Amarna period, making it transitional. The gable-ended lid is completely unique. In fact, there was considerable funerary equipment which found within the tomb. Some wooden (cedar and acacia) images, broken by the rubbish discovered. Also smashed were alabaster canopic jars. It features portrait-headed stoppers and four miniature lion-headed embalming tables. Other items of funerary equipment included.

Entrance to Horemheb tomb Luxor Egypt:

The tomb opened in April 2002. Ticket for the Valley of Kings cost 80 Egyptian pound for three tombs. It includes Horemheb tomb Luxor. It can bought at the gate. Photography inside the tombs strictly forbidden and can incur heavy fines. There is a little train – Taftaf – that runs from the coach park to the entrance to the monument area. It costs 5 Egyptian pound.

Fair Trade Center Luxor Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Fair Trade Center Luxor located near the Emilio Hotel on Karnak Street. In fact, from the outside, Fair Trade Center Luxor looks as if it is just another gift and souvenir shop. However, when one enters the shop it becomes clear that it is quite different. That is because the center is not an ordinary shop. Every product is a story of a poor family earning money from selling their products. They sell their products Fair Trade Center Luxor and similar organizations. The organization collects their products from a lot of places around Egypt. The girls working in the Fair Trade Center well educated. Moreover, they have the skills and the language to deal with tourists. They deal with them in a friendly and professional manner.

Fair Trade Center Luxor indeed a non profit project aimed. It aims to support people among the poorest of the population. In fact, it does by marketing their handicraft products and guarantees them a fair price. The project is a social project of a local company. It run by young women from Luxor. The center offers high quality products at fair prices. It also offers information about the producers. The Village of Naqada lies on the West Bank of the Nile close to Qena. It was a center for weaving for many centuries. The “Ferka”, a long-length scarf, woven in fine designs and colors. It is the main specialty of the Naqada weavers. In the past it worn by Sudanese women on three major occasions. The three major occasions are marriage, child birth, and male circumcision.

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“Ferka” woven with a cotton and silk blend of yarn. In the last fifty years, artificial fibers introduced into the blend. It was to increase the brightness of the fabric. In fact, the weaving work still done at home. It uses simple hand-looms of a type that have been in use since Pharaonic times. The cessation of the trade with Sudan, the ups and downs of tourism left many weavers without jobs. Most of them are illiterate and landless. Church workers in the area help them to ease their situation by bringing their products to Cairo. Nowadays, the women of Naqada weave other products also. In fact, they weave scarves from the best cotton, based on the old designs.

Fair Trade Center Luxor helps these working women in marketing their products. Moreover, it also increases their profits by selling their products to tourists in the store. The scarves they produce are a mixture of cotton, silk and fabrics with colorful designs. Furthermore, they suit women and some of them suit men as well. There are many designs and sizes of the scarves and every item is a piece of art. Their prices range from about 45 to 80 Egyptian pounds. It is according to the size and the material, which produced to be easy on the skin.

Fansina Bedouin Crafts at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

In fact, Fansina means Sinai arts. It is a Bedouin owned business. In fact, it produces and markets Bedouin crafts. Moreover, it established as an income generating initiative for the local craftspeople in the South Sinai. It seeks to promote and sustain the Sinai Bedouin culture’s heritage. Moreover, it operates on principles of fair trade. To emphasize the beauty of their products, Fansina chosen Mona Lisa symbol attired with Bedouin crafts products. Fansina operates the Bedouin house in St. Catherine in the South Sinai. It is where they offer their products for sale. The project is by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency and The European Union.

Fair Trade Center Luxor sells many items of the Fansina products. They sell colorful handmade small bags that cost from 30 to 40 Egyptian pounds. Moreover, they also sell the famous dancing scarves which belly dancer puts around her waist while dancing. There are many different colors of these. They cost about 35 Egyptian pounds per each. Furthermore, there are also the “Mandeel” the piece of cloth the Bedouin women use to hide their faces. This item costs 62 pounds because of the many ornaments. All the Fansina products are indeed great and make wonderful gifts. The most interesting item is the huge piece of cloth that Bedouins use to put on their camel. It is to make it easy for passengers to ride. This piece of art takes weeks to finish and it costs 480 Egyptian pounds. It is indeed a real masterpiece.

Community Development Association of Abu Tawila at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

In fact, this community founded in 1967 in Abu Tawila, near Arish in the North of the Sinai. It was with the aim of promoting the social development of the local community. However, due to the Israeli invasion of Sinai in 1967, the activities halted. In 1982, the association established again. Since that year, it promotes socio – economic development through encouraging small production projects. One of the most important activities of the Association is the production of Bedouin carpets. This income – generating activity involves approximately 70 women. It allows the preservation of traditional handicraft techniques. These techniques were in danger of dying out. Fair Trade Center sells Bedouin carpets with different colors and designs. Bedouin carpets produced in North Sinai and all are handmade. Some of them cost about 200 pounds while others are more than 1,000 Egyptian pounds. It is according to their sizes.

Fayoum Pottery School at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

The children in the villages of the Fayoum create their own toys, forming them from the clay of the canals. Two Swiss potters chose Fayoum for their new workshop. They developed their own pottery using local materials. Their work attracted the children of the neighborhood who came to watch. Soon they started making their own creations. At the initiative of the authorities a vocational school built. It is where the children can learn various pottery techniques. It is while developing their own innate artistic sense. Their products are unique and varied. The objects created by the children shouldn’t be a source of income for them. Otherwise, they would soon lose their creativity and do only what sells. A small financial contribution from the sales distributed to the children who attend the school regularly.

This motivates them and helps their families let them attend the school. The school uses a simple technology, especially for the kilns. Thus, after their apprenticeship, the students can start their own production. It is with little initial investment. Fair Trade Center  sells many of their pottery products. Most of them are simple pottery designs. They are white with simple red or blue drawings. A mug or a cup of tea is great from the Fayoum pottery. The items cost from 35 to 100 pounds.

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In a poor area in the East of Cairo, a few unemployed Christians founded a family workshop. It is to help people support their families. They produce simple jewelry from brass and metal. These pieces engraved with traditional Islamic and Christian designs. They also produce beautiful leather bags and decorative objects. The bags are really fine products. This is because they are practical, classy, and cheap. The bags cost from 85 to 160 pounds according to size. The woodcarving project in the village of Hegaza, 30 km from Luxor, begun in 1986. A special workshop established to train young men, ages 16 to 19. Through an intensive program lasting three years.

After training, each of the young men is responsible to train another group. The group is of 35 young men in the art of woodcarving. This workshop issued from the imitative of a young freshman. They are who taught the first group in the production of small wood-carved objects. The products designs inspired from nature including animals and plants. Combining modernity and tradition, the artisans draw inspiration. It is from ancient Egyptian drawings and objects such as can seen in various museums all over the world. They sell wooden carved toys and some other spoons and small wooden plates in the Fair Trade Center. They cost from 20 to 60 pounds.

Refugees Workshops at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

A lot of refugees from war-torn African countries live in Egypt. Egypt allows them to stay in the country but doesn’t allow them neither to work nor to go to school. UNHCR and a group of NGOs support them with their elementary needs. Some of the women find household work. Most men don’t have any means of supporting their families. Several social organizations started workshops. It was to help them learn a craft and earn a small income. The first such workshop, TUKUL Crafts, created by a group of churches in Cairo. They produce products with traditional African motifs.

Fair Trade Center Luxor supported the creation of another small workshop. It is where refugees trained in traditional crafts of creating “mother of pearl” decoration. The first products of this recently created workshop are coasters with Islamic designs. These coasters can also distributed as an inexpensive present for companies and organizations. Special designs can created on demand. Other products are in the planning stage. They also sell beautiful bags with Sudan designs. A bag cost about 62 pounds.

The pottery of Garagos at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

Garagos is a small village 25 km north of Luxor. Much of the population of Garagos make their living by creating pottery. On the initiative of two French monks, the architect Hassan Fathi designed the pottery which first made in 1955. The nephew of one of the monks and owner of a pottery company in France, came to Garagos. It was to teach the young men the new craft. They also came to support them until they were able to function without help. Most of the products sold at annual exhibitions in Cairo and Alexandria. A lot of tourists once came to Garagos to admire the work and buy the products. But after some recent events, the increased security measures do not allow this anymore.

The objects produced with the same red silt that the pharaohs used 5,000 years ago for their pottery. The work from Garagos characterized by the brown, blue and gray glazing. It is with slight yellow and green tones. The designs are fish, birds and the Coptic cross. I saw a whole set designed for tea and hot drinks from Garagos. It can suit a newly married couple or anyone at home. It costs about 220 pounds for the whole set.

Association of the Protection of the Environment at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

The Association of the Protection of the Environment established in 1984. The purpose was to improve the livelihood of Cairo’s garbage collectors. It is by engaging them in recycling of solid urban household waste. Moreover, it builds upon the technical expertise of the formal and informal sector garbage collectors. It is while improving their professional, educational and health standards. The association set up a paper-recycling unit. This income-generating project helps girls and young women. It helped them to gain relative financial independence and assert themselves with their families. Over 60 girls and women involved in this project.

The whole recycling paper process takes place in a special workshop at the premises of the association. The products recycled from second-hand paper that the association gets from different sources. The paper then used for notebooks, cards, and art paper. The lesser quality paper printed and used for a wide range of small accessories. The association offers a variety of social services to producers. It includes education, as well as personal and environmental hygiene. There is a big selection of cards which produced from recycled paper in the Fair Trade Center. It is with simple drawing on them. They cost from 10 to 20 Egyptian pounds per card
Thursday Bedouin Market.

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These creations come from the Bedouin market that takes place each every Thursday morning. It is in El Arish on the Mediterranean coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Bedouin women from all over and across the Sinai make the journey to the market. The income these women earn each Thursday is essential to their family’s well being. These Bedouins pieces are from the Central part of the Sinai, an area that is difficult to reach. Due to their inaccessible geographic locations, the women who make these items not organized into a producers group. In fact, they not like most of the other craftspeople represented at the Fair Trade Center in Luxor.

Decoration is vital for the appearance of a Bedouin woman. She does not consider herself dressed unless she wears a variety of accessories. It is in addition to the Borqo’ (face covering which leaves the eyes showing). These include several of the items which maybe worn about the head, the face, shoulders or waist. Often, the Bedouin women will wear such accessories under her garment. It is to give an illusion of greater body size. It is indeed an important element of beauty for the Bedouins. The Fair Trade Center sells two main items from the Bedouin market. They sell the borqo’ for 62 pounds. The piece of colored cloth the Bedouin woman puts around her waist is for 35 pounds. These are some of the items that seem to be especially of interest to tourists.

Women Income Generation and Training Association:

The program started in 1990. The aim was to help the Bedouin women to earn a more regular income. Moreover, to have more direct control over their own lives. It is through awareness building, poverty alleviation and mobilization. Preservation of the cultural heritage of the North Sinai is another aim of this initiative. Today approximately 250 women take part in this program. They have also access to literacy classes and health education. Fair Trade Center Luxor sells many gallabeya, the traditional Egyptian woman dress. They have some white and others colorful with many handmade designs. The prices of these items range from 250 to 600 pounds according to how much handmade designs the dress has. The white dress is the cheapest.

The weavers of Akmim at Fair Trade Center Luxor:

In fact, Akhmim is a Coptic town in Upper Egypt which was a center for textiles since Pharaonic times. As a result of the modernization of the textile industry, the demand for manual weaving slowed down dramatically. For the landless families of Akhmim, this meant unemployment and poverty. In 1988, the Orthodox Youth Association started a program. The program was to maintain the tradition of hand weaving in Akhmim. Moreover, it also was to assist some of the poorest families in the area. They began with three looms and a limited supply of raw material. There are now more than 20 weavers and their families working for the association.

The weavers work in family units. It takes two people to operate the loom and several others in the preparation stage. In fact, most of the workers are men and the women who assist in finishing of the products. Most products reproduce design and motifs inspired by the Coptic tradition and motifs. Fair Trade Center Luxor sells many items from Akhmim. The items like bedspreads of different sizes and designs. Some of them are 160 X 240 cm, which sell for about 104 Egyptian pounds. Another size is 270 X 270 cm for 216 pounds. Some of the bedspreads sold by the meter, at about 70 pounds per meter.

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In fact, Fair Trade center Luxor sells other products they get from Luxor as well. They sell attractive looking soaps with animal designs that are suitable for kids. The animal soap costs 16 pounds. Moreover, they also sell a set of three soaps for 44 Egyptian pounds. Furthermore, they also sell pretty bottles in a variety of designs. They used as gifts or souvenirs. They cost from 10 to 15 pounds. Fair Trade Center Luxor also sells other items such as the silver accessories. In fact, the center sells rings, earrings and bracelets. A small silver earring can make a fine gift and costs between 25 and 60 pounds. It is according to design and weight.

Fair Trade Center Luxor also sells huge silver accessories that cost from 600 to 2000 pounds. No woman can wear this huge piece. They rather use it for decorations at home. Fair Trade Center is like a shopping museum. It is a museum for handcrafts because many of the products maybe died out. In fact, it is a must see shopping spot for tourists in Egypt. It also gives the tourists a chance to help poor people all around Egypt by buying their products. Fair Trade Center has another shop called “Naturally Egypt”. It is on Radwa Sherifa St., close to the Sonesta Hotel in Luxor.

El Sheikh Ibada El Minya Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

El Sheikh Ibada El Minya is a modern village which located on the East Bank of the Nile. In fact, El Sheikh Ibada is about 10 kilometer north east of Mallawi in El Minya, Egypt. Near the site, there are ruins of a Roman town which named Antinopolis. In fact, the Roman town founded by the Emperor Hadrian in 130 AC. The emperor built this town to memorize his friend Antinous who drowned in the Nile. By the time of the Roman era, the town became common for cults. In fact, the cults established for those who drowned and the deceased which deified. In the tragic legend attached to the town, Antinous was a handsome young servant boy. Moreover, he was a favorite of Hadrian and drowned while touring Egypt with his master.

The Emperor became so dejected and ordered to build hundreds of sculpted statues and busts. In fact, the busts and statues portrayed the handsome features of the boy. Moreover, the emperor founded the town in his name. Many of the busts of Antinous can seen in European museums. Almost nothing remains of Antinopolis now at El Sheikh Ibada El Minya village. In fact, the site visited by the Napoleonic Expedition in the late 18th century. Moreover, in that time, there were still extensive ruins of a Roman portico. In fact, these ruins illustrated in “Description l’Egypte”. Napoleon’s savants recorded the existence of large parts of the city walls. In fact, the site housed columned streets and a monumental gate. Moreover, the site also houses two temples and a theater one day.

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A hippodrome, presumably used for chariot races, lay further east in the desert. Moreover, a large temple built during the Graeco-Roman period. In fact, this temple destroyed during the 19th century. Moreover, there were earlier structures near El Sheikh Ibada El Minya site. In fact, the structures were on a caravan route. The route connected the Nile to the centers of commerce on the Red Sea. The largest remains of these monuments located to the west of the Roman town. In fact, it is a temple which decorated by Ramses II. Moreover, the temple dedicated to Thoth and the gods of El Ashmunein and the gods of Heliopolis. Furthermore, there are also Parts of a columned courtyard, hypo-style hall and a sanctuary.

The archaeology at El Sheikh Ibada investigated by an Italian Mission. In fact, the mission was from the University of Rome between 1965 and 1968. The Egyptian Minister of Culture announced in March 2009 that a talatat block found at the site. This block dates back to the Amarna period. In fact, the block which re-used in a Christian church some time, has a relief. In fact, the relief depicts the image of an Amarna queen who wears a vulture headdress. Though, this image is an image of Akhenaten’s wife Nefertiti.

El Sheikh Said tombs El Minya tours, prices, booking, reviews

El Sheikh Said tombs El Minya are rock tombs which cut into the side of cliff. In fact, El Sheikh Said tombs located on the East bank of the Nile. Moreover, the tombs located a few kilometers south of Mallawi in El Minya, Egypt. Furthermore, the tombs are the officials of the 15th Upper Egyptian Nome who buried in a group there. In fact, the site named so because a Muslim holy man who also holds the same name, buried nearby. Moreover, the site is close to Dayr Al Barsha and marks the northern limits of the Amarna plain. In fact, the site features many ancient quarries. During Dynasty IV the mastabas favored by officials buried in the necropolises at Giza and Sakkara. In fact, the site tombs features a layout like that one of the mastaba.

El Sheikh Said tombs El Minya have an entrance which simulates the appearance of the earlier tombs. By Dynasty VI this development resulted in the full-blown rock-cut tomb. The tombs which cut into the steep cliff-face at the edge of the valley. These tombs were particularly prominent in Middle Egypt and other regions of the Nile Valley. In fact, the terrain was unsuitable for the construction of mastaba-style monuments. The cemetery at the site is among the earliest examples of this type of rock-cut tomb. The necropolis contains the tombs of the governors of the Hare Province. In fact, he buried during Dynasty VI, including “Chiefs of the Palace” Meru-bebi.

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Moreover, the tombs features simple structures which contain chapel. Furthermore, the structures feature a smaller inner hall and a statue or offering chamber. They usually contained one or more shafts leading to subterranean burial chambers. The capital of the 15th Upper Egyptian Nome was at El Ashmunein on the west bank of the Nile. The cemetery at El Sheikh Said indeed is important. In fact, it is because of the absence of contemporary evidence from the capital of the province.

El Siririya El Minya Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

El Siririya El Minya located on the east bank of the Nile, to the north of Minya, Egypt. In fact, the site is a vast area of ancient limestone quarries. The quarries are still in use today as one of the major sources of limestone blocks for building in the country. In fact, it is obvious from the dazzling white dust which covers the land and everything on it for miles around. Moreover, El Siririya  El Minya features many galleries of quarries where the cutting technique can seen. In fact, there are some with ancient builders marks on the faces of the rock. Amidst the quarried galleries there is a rock-cut speos (rock-shrine) on a steep rise.

In fact, the shrine cut from a cliff face one time, but now stands alone. Moreover, the shrine decorated by Merenptah during Dynasty XIX and dedicated to Hathor “Lady of the Two Infernos”. In fact, a fiery aspect of the goddess well suited to this parched site. Moreover, he shrine has a single doorway with a worn hieroglyphic text which incised on the jambs. Inside is a single chamber with a vaulted ceiling. In fact, the ceiling once carved and painted but now preserved. Yet, the remains of the paint can still seen there. At the rear of the chapel, three statues carved from the rock in high relief. Ij fact, the three statues include one of the goddess Hathor on the right-hand side.

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Below the shrine on the western side, there is a stelae which carved into the rock. In fact, the quite worn and with the lower part completely gone nowadays. The stelae depicts a king named in two cartouches of Ramses II. In fact, they offer to a god who is difficult to identify, but could be Sobek. Hathor stands behind the king with a hand on his shoulder.

How to get to El Siririya El Minya:

In fact, El Siririya reached across the main Nile bridge at El Minya. On the east bank, follow the road north along the river valley. This is a pretty drive through small villages with the high limestone mount. You will reach right down to the road. Many small limestone industries can seen along the sides of the road. You will reach El Siririya once you see the white landscape. You will also see the large cement factory and the quarry sites which surround the village. There is a helicopter pad near the entrance to the village with a sign. In fact, the sign says ” Entry Forbidden”. Park there and cross the sandy desert in a south-easterly direction to the shrine.

Hermopolis El Minya Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Hermopolis El Minya is a roman town located the near village of El Ashmunein El Miny, Egypt. In fact, the site located on the west bank of the Nile, north-west of Mallawi. Moreover, the town known as Khmun in Pharaonic times. During the Old Kingdom, the town was of a great importance as a cult center of Thoth, god of wisdom. In the Graeco-Roman Period, the city was the capital of the 15th Upper Egyptian Nome. In fact, the Greek god Hermes associated with the Egyptian Thoth. The last one dominated the site in the guise of two famous colossal baboon statues. Khmun, in the ancient Egyptian language means “town of eight”, named after the Ogdoad. These were eight primeval deities (four frog-gods and four snake-goddesses). In fact, they associated with the Hermopolitan creation myth. It was before they brought the primeval mound into being.

In fact, there are no remains of the earliest development of the city. Yet, the only surviving elements of the site now are crumbling mounds of mud-brick ruins. Moreover, the site also includes destroyed stone temples. In fact, the once great Temple of Thoth at Hermopolis visited by several early explorers. Moreover, in the early 19th century, some of the columns of the hypo-style hall were still standing. During the 1930 a German expedition directed by Gunter Roeder excavated the sites. In fact, they revealed a pylon of a temple which built by Ramses II. Moreover, they found over one thousand re-used talatat blocks. In fact, the blocks brought from the dismantled Aten temples at el-Amarna. The site also revealed mud brick houses. In fact, the houses back to the Third Intermediate Period as well as Roman monuments.

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Most visitors will arrive first at the site of the old archaeological mission house. In fact, the house now turned into an open-air museum. The open air museum contains blocks, statues and stelae from excavations at the site. At the entrance to the museum, there are two huge baboon statues which reconstructed. In fact, their bodies are over 4.5 m high and represent the god Thoth. These are only two of several baboon colossi which erected at the site. In fact, it was during the reign of Amenhotep III (Dynasty XVIII). The site has also another road which leads to the east through an overgrown area. Moreover, the road also leads to the great Temple of Thoth. In fact, this temple indeed is one of the site’s main attractions. Moreover, the temple constructed in several stages throughout the city’s long history. The monuments at Hermopolis El Minya indeed suffered from stone quarrying.

In fact, it was from the early Christian times down to the early Islamic Period. Some of the stone masonry from the temple complex remained in place. The archaeologists uncovered foundations of the great pylon gateways. In fact, the great pylon gateways built by Horemheb and Ramses II. It was in this area that the re-used talatat blocks from Akhenaten’s city which found on the east bank. The largest remains of the temple of Thoth at Hermopolis date back to Necatnebo I reign. In fact, the last one rebuilt parts of the structure and enclosed the temple precinct. It was within huge mud-brick walls, 15 meters deep. Nectanebo’s gateway located on the southern side of the temple enclosure. Moreover, the gateway followed by the pylon of Ramses II and a processional way.

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Alexander the Great extended the Late Period temple by constructing a magnificent portico. In fact, the portico consists of two rows of six limestone columns. Moreover, it has much colorful decoration. Only the foundations of the columns remain today since the portico demolished in 1826 AC. Moreover, the stone reused in the building of a sugar factory. To the south-west of the temple are remains of an east-facing limestone sanctuary. In fact, the sanctuary dedicated to Amun and protected by a turreted fortress wall. The entrance pylon and part of the hypo-style hall of this structure still seen. Yet, the rear parts reduced to the ground level and surrounded by water. South-east of the Amun temple, there are remains of a monumental gateway. In fact, they date back to the late Middle Kingdom reign of Amenemhet II.

The remains of the facade and a passage of this structure still survive. Moreover, Hermopolis El Minya has another small temple which built in the reign of Ramses II. The small temple has additions by Nero. It is where two seated colossi of Ramses stood before the entrance. On the edge of the village there are fragmentary remains of a temple. In fact, this temple dedicated to the goddess Nehemetaway, the wife of Thoth. Moreover, this temple was the latest temple which built at the site. Outside the temple enclosure on the eastern side of the site are remains of a Roman Agora. Moreover, there are also a restored Coptic basilica which constructed with many blocks. In fact, the blocks are from Ptolemaic monuments and follow a Greek style of architecture. Most of the graceful granite columns still stand in the structure of the church.

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In fact, it is the best example of a monument from this period in Egypt. Nearby, there is a long architrave which inscribed with a Greek text and lies on the ground. The British Museum excavation team also uncovered parts of the town site of the site. At the western side of Hermopolis El Minya site, there are mud-brick houses. In fact, the houses date back to the Third Intermediate Period. The majority of buildings belonged to the wealthier families of the town. Three successive levels of construction identified. In the Graeco-Roman part of the town, the “Dromos of Hermes” uncovered. In fact, its existence known from papyrus texts. There is also a paved processional street which runs from north to south through the city. In fact, this street contained re-used stone from earlier times. One of these elements is an alabaster altar which inscribed with scenes and titles.

In fact, the scenes and titles were of Amenhotep III. The Graeco-Roman parts of the Hermopolis El Minya built over many earlier destroyed structures. In fact, these structures date back to the New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period. Over 300 fragments from a large alabaster stelae of Osorkon III also discovered. In fact, they date back to the Third Intermediate Period. The oldest feature which found at the site was a Middle Kingdom cemetery. In fact, the cemetery also excavated in the 1980 by the British Museum team. Moreoevr, the cemetery enclosed by a massive mud-brick wall. Furthermore, the tombs consist of small vaulted chambers with a superstructure. Over time, new graves superimposed over older ones to the top of the enclosure. In fact, many pottery jars found at the site. The later cemetery which associated with the site can seen now at Tuna El Gebel.

How to get to Hermopoils:

Hermopolis located on the west bank of the Nile. Moreover, the town is about 8 km north of Mallawi and 7 km east of Tuna El Gebel. The ticket office for the site is at the open-air museum and tickets cost 35 Egyptian pound.