The Israel Tour / Egypt Tour Experiences:

Days 1 & 2 – Monday/Tuesday, February 19-20: Depart for Israel, Arrival in Tel Aviv, Netanya

Today’s departure date finally came! God brought together 80 for this February Israel & Egypt tour option. We all flew into the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on different flights, arriving this afternoon and evening. Some in the group even came a few days early. But we all arrived safely. Some in the Texas group however, had issues with lost luggage.

We drove in two buses to our hotel in Netanya located right on the Mediterranean Sea coastline. We enjoyed a late dinner (really late for our Texas folks) before retiring for the evening. We are looking forward to our first full day tomorrow here in Israel, the land of the Bible.

​Day 3 – Tuesday, February 21: Caesarea, Carmel, Megiddo, Precipice of Nazareth, Tiberias

Today was our first full day here in Israel. We are all excited to engage with the Bible and the primary land where biblical events took place. The day’s weather was ideal, with a mix of sun and clouds and highs around 70. After a wonderful full breakfast, we loaded the bus and left about 7:35. We read Psalm 44:8 as we drove north to our first site. We also learned the song, “Oh, the Sun’s Coming Up.” 🙂

Caesarea Maritima

We drove north in the Sharon Plain to get to our first site, Caesarea Maritima. It was a city built between 22-10 BC by Herod the Great.We started the the theater where we read from Acts 10, 12, 21, and 26. Peter, Phillip, and Paul were all here sharing their faith in Christ. Among the ruins the praetorium (palace, where we saw a replica of the Pilate Inscription found in 1961 in secondary use), hippodrome, and the area of the harbor. We then entered the Crusader part of the city. We saw a short movie about Herod the Great. Before leaving the site, we also saw a porphyry (purple) marble statue and the aqueduct that brought fresh water into Caesarea from the Carmel Range.

Mt. Carmel

Our next site was the Carmel Range (or Mt. Carmel). This range separates the Sharon Plain with the Jezreel Valley. We drove to Muhraha, a Carmelite chapel located at the highest peak. On the beautiful grounds of this Carmelite chapel we read from Amos 1 and 9, Isaiah 35, Song of Songs 7 and 1 Kings 18 (the story of Elijah). We then ascended to the rooftop of the chapel for a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley below. The visibility was quite good.

Megiddo

After lunch at a family-owned Druze restaurant nearby, we descended to the edge of the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, an archaeological site that has about 25 levels of occupation that span 2,500 years! Upon arriving, we walked to the top of this Canaanite/Israelite site. We saw two Canaanite gate complexes, the gate, stables and palace area of Solomon (1 Kings 9:15), a sacrificial altar (Canaanite), and a grain silo. The also enjoyed a great view of the surrounding hills from here and the valley itself (Revelation 16:16). We left the site through the impressive water system that was designed and engineered to safely bring water into the city.

Precipice of Nazareth

We drove past Mt. Gilboa (1 Samuel 31), Jezreel (1 Kings 18, 21; 2 Kings 8), the Hill of Moreh (Judges 6-7) and Shunem (2 Kings 4) as we crossed the Jezreel Valley to the area of Nazareth. We ascended towards the top of the Precipice. A short walk took us to a panoramic view of the Jezreel Valley. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset from here over the Carmel Range. We read from Luke 4 about Jesus’ synagogue teaching. While Nathaniel asked, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” It was Philip who replied, “Come and see!” (John 1). We celebrated Jesus as Messiah here!

Sea of Galilee

It took about 50 minutes (driving past Cana, John 2 and 4) to arrive at our hotel (Nof Ginnosar) along the western coastline of the Sea of Galilee. We enjoyed dinner here followed by a gathering on the shoreline of the lake. It was a great first day here in Israel!

Day 4 – Wednesday, February 22: Arbel, Yardenit, Jordan River Baptism, Magdala, Capernaum, Ancient Boat, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride

Today was a beautiful sunny day, with temps in the low 70s. We spent the entire day all around the area of the Sea of Galilee. There were many biblical connections today, specifically with a focus on the life and ministry of Jesus. We left our hotel at 7:20, reading from Matthew 4 on the way to the trailhead of Arbel in the Valley of the Doves.

Arbel

We began the day by visiting Mt. Arbel, a mountain on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. About 30 in the group choose to hike the challenging trail that ascended about 1,100 feet to the top, while the others drove around the back side and walked to the top from the visitor center. Even though it was a bit hazy, the view of the lake was spectacular. We could even see the snow-capped Mt. Hermon about 35 miles to the north of the Sea of Galilee. We can’t know for sure, but it could have been the lower slopes of Arbel where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7) or the top of Arbel where Jesus met His disciples after His resurrection and shared the Great Commission (Matthew 28).

Yardenit/Baptism

We drove to the southern end of the lake where the Lower Jordan begins. Here 32 in the group reaffirmed their faith in baptism in the Jordan River at a place called Yardenit. Jesus Himself was baptized at Bethany Beyond the Jordan further south across from Jericho (John 1). The experience was special for all of us!

Kinneret Cemetery

Near by the southern end of the lake is the Kinneret Cemetery. Many Jews who were pioneers to the land in the late 19th and early 20th century are buried here. This includes Rachel Bluwstone, an Ukrainian who wrote many poems. Shlomo shared with us about kibbutz life. He also read, sang, and played some of her poems now put to tunes. She died in 1931. Her picture appears on Israel’s 20 shekel bill today!

Magdala

We drove back through Tiberias to the northwest side of the lake where we visited Magdala. Here, we saw an impressive but simple 1st century synagogue. There are only seven (or eight, depending on how you count them) synagogues that date to the time of Jesus in the country. Magdala is only mentioned once in the Gospels (Matthew 16). We also saw a few ritual baths (mikveh or mikvot, plural).

Capernaum

After a wonderful St. Peter’s Fish lunch in Magdala, we visited Capernaum. This Jewish town served as Jesus’ “home base” for His Galilean ministry. In the early 5th century synagogue, we read from Mark 1, 2; Luke 7, 8; and John 4, 6. We also saw the Byzantine church, octagonal in shape, that dates to about the same time period. This ancient church surrounds a 1st century house structure suggested, by tradition and archaeology, to be Peter’s house. Down on the lakeshore, we read from Mark 9. Serving in Christ’s kingdom requires a heart of humility and servanthood.

Ancient Boat / Boat Ride

We completed our day by driving back past the traditional Mt. of Beatitudes to Nof Ginnosar where the ancient boat is displayed. This was a 1st century wooden vessel discovered in 1986 by two brothers of the kibbutz here. From here we walked out to the dock where we embarked on our own almost hour-long boat ride. Being out on the water towards sunset was spectacular! We enjoyed a time of worship and praise. We also read Mark 4 and Matthew 14 about the two storm narratives. Jesus cares for us, especially when we encounter the “storms” of life.

Sailing back to the dock, we returned to our rooms to freshen up for dinner! It was a great day of focusing upon Jesus!

Day 5 – Thursday, February 23: Hippos, Beth Shean, Qumran, Dead Sea

Today we left the Sea of Galilee area and drove south to the region of the Dead Sea. The weather was once again mild, with partly cloudy skies and high temps around 70. It was another day of incredible sites with many biblical connections. We read from Matthew 5 as we loaded the bus and began our day to the first site.

Hippos/Sussita

We first drove around the northern end of the lake before turning south on the eastern side. Towards the southern end, we ascended to the top of the site of Hippos/Sussita, one of the Decapolis cites. This is an impressive archaeological sites with ruins that date from the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD. The ruins we saw were primarily from the Late Roman period. A number of Byzantine churches were discovered here. With a hazy view of the lake below us and Tiberias across the way, we read from Mark 5 about the transformation of the demoniac as we concluded our visit.

Beth Shean

From here we drove south of the Sea of Galilee through the Jordan Valley to Beth Shean, the only city of the Decapolis on the west side of the Jordan. This is a massive archaeological site, primarily Roman. Here we walked the colonnaded street, sat in the public latrenes, and walked through the impressive theater. Many in the group hiked up 190 steps to the top of the Old Testament site where Saul’s body was hung on the walls of the town square (1 Samuel 31, 1 Chronicles 10). The view was stunning of the Roman city below and the Jordan Valley to the east. As we exited the site, we enjoyed a quick lunch at Hezy’s just outside the archaeological park.

Qumran

Continuing south along there Jordan Valley, we arrived at Jericho. While we used the restrooms here, the archaeological site was closed (we will return and visit the site tomorrow). So we drove to Qumran located on the northwest corner of the Dead Sea. It was here at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! The discovery began in 1947, while the excavation took place from 1952 to 1956. First, we all walked to the cliff area above the archaeological site. Here we could see Cave 6. We then walked back down through the ruins where a small community of Essenes lived (or retreated to from Jerusalem, as a new theory suggests). To date, over 900 scrolls and fragments of texts scrolls have been discovered in 12 caves. The scrolls/texts date primarily from the 3rd century BC – 1st century AD. At the small archaeological site we saw cisterns, ritual baths (mikvot), and the scriptorium. In front of “Cave 4” (where the majority of texts were found), we read from “Psalm 151,” and Psalm 19. We celebrated the perseverance of God’s Word!

Dead Sea

To close out the day we enjoyed floating in the Dead Sea at a public beach nearby. This unique body of water is about 33% salt and minerals. It is also the lowest place on earth (nearly 1,400 feet below sea level). We then drove to Al Mog, a kibbutz-hotel whee we enjoyed dinner together and a free evening (note, the Texas bus drove to Ein Bokek and enjoyed dinner and overnight there. They will enjoy floating in the Dead Sea tomorrow morning before breakfast).

Day 6 – Friday, February 24: Masada, Ein Gedi, Jericho, Wilderness of Judah/Wadi Qelt, Jerusalem

Today was a day spent in the Judean Desert! This unique region of Israel offers many connections to historical and biblical events. The weather was again very nice, with sunny skies and highs in the 70s (although cooler in Jerusalem when we arrived tonight). We read from Psalm 18 as we left the hotel this morning at 7:25. 

Masada

To begin the day, we drove south along the western shoreline of the Dead Sea to Masada (metzada, in Hebrew, Psalm 18:1-2). This was built in the 30s BC as a palace-fortress by Herod the Great. We took the cable car to the top and began seeing the ruins from the 1st century. We saw huge cisterns, the western and northern palaces, the Roman Ramp, the synagogue, and the bathhouse. In 70 AD, this was the location where 967 Jews found refuge from the Romans following the destruction of the Temple. The holdout lasted about three years until all by five of these Jews (a few women and children) took their own lives. It is a story of bravery and courage! Some in the group took the cable car back down while many others in the group walked down the Snake Path.

Ein Gedi

We drove about 20 minutes north of Masada to get to Ein Gedi, one of only a few oasis here in the edge of the Judean Desert. We read from Song of Songs 1, 2 Chronicles 20 (the “Ascent of Ziz”) and 1 Samuel 24 (David hid from Saul here). We also saw a long snake (the first seen here by Dr. John in 30 years!). A number in the group hiked back to the water falls at the end of the canyon. It was amazing to see so much water here in the desert!

Jericho

We arrived at Jericho at the southern end of the Jordan Valley in time for a late lunch. We then climbed the site of ancient Jericho. We first looked east across the Jordan to recall a few biblical connections (e.g. Moses, Mt. Nebo, Dt. 31; Joshua crossing the river (Joshua 3), Elijah & Elisha (2 Kings 2), and Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3). We then saw an old stone tower that predates even Abraham and a small portion of the city wall on the southern end. Mud-bricks and a burn level could also be seen in a few places. We recalled the Joshua 6 story how the city was defeated (and burned) by the Israelites. Praise God for the historicity of the Bible as it happened just as recorded!

Wadi Qelt

On our way to Jerusalem, we took a unique narrow road up through there Wadi Qelt (the Judean Desert). We saw the amazing St. George Greek Orthodox monastery built into the cliff. Here is where we heard “the prophet Isaiah” greet us (Isaiah 40) and Psalm 23 sang by Shlomo.

We arrived at and checked in our hotel in Jerusalem. Following a wonderful Shabbat dinner, many in the group enjoyed an optional walk to the Western Wall. We are all looking forward to our first full day in Jerusalem tomorrow.

Day 7 – Saturday, February 25: Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Herodium, Bethlehem

Today was our first day in the Jerusalem area. We actually spent the morning in Jerusalem on the Mt. of Olives. Then we drove south of Jerusalem to the Bethlehem area. The morning temp was col (40s), but the bright sun warmed up the day to the low 60s by afternoon. We read from Psalm 125 as we left the hotel.

Mt. of Olives

We left the hotel at 7:30 and drove around the north end of the Old City enroute to the Mt. of Olives. The view of the Old City and Temple Mount was stunning from here. Walking down to Domius Flavet, a small chapel, we read from Luke 19 and Zechariah 14 about the kingship of Jesus. On the Temple Mount today stands the Dome of the Rock. In the days of the Bible, the 1st and 2nd Temples stood there.

Garden of Gethsemane

Walking down the western slope of the Mt. of Olives we arrived at a private olive tree garden where we considered the passion of Jesus. The Garden of Gethsemane could have been located anywhere on this western slope of the hill. We read from Luke 22 where we heard, “Not my will but yours be done.”

Herodium

We walked from here to the bottom of the Mt. of Olives where we loaded on our bus and drove south to Herodium. The palace-fortress was built by Herod the Great. While he died in Jericho, he was buried here, with his tomb discovered by Ehud Netzer. At the site we saw a video in the Reception Room. Most in the group then walked up the Royal Staircase to the top of the site. Here we could see the area of Bethlehem to the west, Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives to the north, the Judean Desert to the east, and Tekoa (the home of Amos the prophet) to the south. We descended down through the impressive water cisterns as we left the site.

Shepherds’ Fields

After grabbing lunch in Beit Sahour, we visited the Shepherds’ FIelds. We descended down to a large cave where we considered the unique role of shepherds in Jesus’ day. We read portions from Micah 2, 4, and 5 and Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus. The Savior of the world was most likely not born in a cave but rather a kataluma (guest room of a typical 1st century house dwelling). Jesus was born “just at the right time” (Galatians 4:4).

Bethlehem

We ended the day at an olive wood factory and store. It was so impressive to see how the olive wood products are made. The store is owned by Arab Christians, the Nissan family.

We drove back to the hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and a free evening.

Day 8 – Sunday, February 26: Yad Vashem, Israel Museum, the “Shephelah” – Lowlands of Judah: Gezer, Beth Shemesh, Azekah

Today was another wonderful day here in Israel. We were blessed with perfect weather once again (sun and temps in the mid 60s). In the morning the two groups went to two different sites. We connected back together about noon for the rest of the day. 

Yad Vashem

Both buses left the hotel at 7:20. Our bus drove to western Jerusalem to visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum and Memorial. It is named after Isaiah 56:5 (“To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name…”). We first entered the Valley of the Communities, marking all the towns and cities where Jews were killed throughout Europe. We then heard Shlomo’s testimony about how he lost 12 family members in Vilna, Poland. We then walked through the museum on our own, followed by a visit lastly through the Children’s Memorial. 1.5 million children were killed. It was a somber experience.

Shiloh

The second bus drove north into the Hill Country of Samaria and to the biblical site of Shiloh. Located about 20 miles north of Jerusalem, this was the location of Tabernacle for over 300 years until it was destroyed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4). At the site we saw a hologram of the Tabernacle and an impressive video presentation. By the ruins we read from 1 Samuel 3 (“Hineni” – “Here I am” was said here by young Samuel!), and Jeremiah 7.

Israel Museum

Both buses converged in West Jerusalem at the Israel Museum. We saw three things here: A 1:50-scaled model of 2nd Temple Period Jerusalem, the Shrine of the Book (where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display), and the archaeological wing of the museum itself. In the museum we saw highlights of artifacts, such as the Dan Inscription, the incense shovels from Tel Dan, the silver amulet from a Hinnom tombs, the Arad Holy of Holies, the Pilate Inscription, Herod’s bathhouse and sarcophagus, and many more. We ended with seeing a 1,900 year old “pie plate.” 🙂

Gezer/Aijalon Valley

About 1:30 in the afternoon we drove westward from Jerusalem to the Shephelah (lowlands). We passed by three proposed places for biblical Emmaus. Our first site of the afternoon was Tel Gezer. It is located in the Aijalon Valley. Dr. John excavated here in 2017. This was a Canaanite and Israelite/Judean city. We saw city walls and gates, including one built by Solomon (1 Kings 9). We descended the impressive water system. Leaving the site we saw the standing stones most likely from the Canaanite Period.

Beth Shemesh/Sorek Valley

Further south is the Sorek Valley where the city of Beth Shemesh is located. We climbed the tel (ancient mound) to see the view of the valley. The stories of Samson (Judges 13-16) and the return of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 6) unfolded before our very eyes!

Azekah/Elah Valley

Azekah was the last site of the day. Located along the Elah Valley, we climbed this site to see where David and Goliath battled. On the way we saw the location of Gath (the hometown of Goliath) just 5-6 miles to the west. David was armed only with five stones but he found his confidence in the Lord. We read the story from 1 Samuel 17. We could see the story happening right before our eyes!

We returned to the Hill Country of Judah and to our hotel in Jerusalem for a late dinner and an optional walk to the Promenade. We have one more day of the Israel portion of our trip.

Day 9 – Monday, February 27: Old City, Easter Gate, Pools of Bethesda, Holy Sepulcher Church, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Southern Wall Excavations, Western Wall, Garden Tomb

Today was our last day here in Jerusalem. Over half of the group will be flying home either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Some are staying in Jerusalem a little longer, while 27 of us are heading to Egypt. This last day was once again a cloudless sunny day, with highs around 70. We’ve had incredible weather on this trip!

Eastern Gate

We read form Psalm 48 as we left the hotel around 7:40. We drove to the northeast corner of the Old City and walked to the Eastern Gate. According to some, this gate has been closed since 810 AD, and perhaps a few times during the Crusader Period. We read from Ezekiel 44 about how the Messiah will walk through the Easter Gate of the city.

St. Anne’s Church/Pools of Bethesda

We then entered the Old City of Jerusalem (walls dates to the Turkish Period, 1537-1544) through the St. Stephen’s Gate (also called Lions and Jericho Gate). We enjoyed singing in St. Anne’s Church before seeing the archaeological ruins of the Pools of Bethesda (John 5).

Western Wall

From here we walked to the Western Wall. This wall served as one of the four retaining walls for Herod the Great in order to doubling the size of the platform of the Temple. This is the most holy place for Jews today. We took time to approach the Wall. There were a few Bar Mitzvah celebrations taking place.

Southern Excavations

Nearby we walked to the Davidson Center to see the Southern Excavations of the Temple. Within the center, we saw the SW corner of the Temple (with massive Herodian stones), the Herodian pavement, and the southern steps that would have led into the Temple in Jesus’ day. Sitting on these steps recalled the many times Jesus and the disciples (and Paul) used these steps. Whereas the Temple was a magnificent building (Mark 13:1-2), we are to be the Temple (1 Corinthians 3)!

City of David

We walked down outside the Dung Gate to the City of David. We first got a great view of the area from the observation tower before we walked down through the excavations of Area G (where Dr. John dug for a month in 1982) and Warren’s Shaft. At the Gihon Spring is where some in the group accessed the entrance to Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a 1,710-foot tunnel chiseled in 701 BC. We walked in water through this amazing discovery mentioned in 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 8:6. Others walked through the “dry” Canaanite tunnel. Both groups converged at the Pool of Siloam where we heard the story of John 9. Remarkably, the new excavation of the other larger part of the Siloam Pool is well underway now! They have scraped off much of the dirt and are close to exposing the other steps. 

Holy Sepulcher Church

We loaded on our buses and drove to the Jaffa Gate where we entered the Christian Quarter. After lunch we visited the Holy Sepulcher Church, the probable location for the crucifixion and burial site of Jesus. The church was built in 325 AD, but rebuilt over the centuries since then. Entering the very crowded church, we saw the Edicule that encloses the proposed tomb of Jesus.

Garden Tomb

At 3:30 p.m. we began our walk through the Muslim Quarter and out the Damascus Gate to the Garden Tomb. This is an alternative location for the crucifixion and burial site of Jesus. We saw the rocky scarp (Golgotha) and the proposed tomb. A special time of worship and Communion followed. We worship the Person, not the place.

We returned to our hotel for our Farewell Dinner. We shared in good conversation, thankful to God for the great experiences we encountered. Following dinner, those on the midnight flight home left for the airport.

Day 10 – Tuesday, February 28: Arrive Home/Free Day in Jerusalem, Flight to Cairo

Early this morning over half of the group flew back home to the States. Twenty seven of us enjoyed most of the day prior to our flight to Cairo. The weather was once again perfect, with sunny skies and temps around 70.

Temple Mount/Old City

A number of those going to Egypt enjoyed an early breakfast so that we could visit the Temple Mount. We walked into the Dung Gate and there to the Temple Mount. We saw the Al Asca mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the western side of the Eastern Gate.

We then walked to the Jaffa Gate to purchase our tickets for the Rampart Walk. We took the south walk that overlooks the Armenian and Jewish Quarters. From here, some continued to the Redeemer Lutheran Church. We walked up the 185 spiral steps to the top for a panoramic view in all directions. The rest of the morning and early afternoon was enjoyed exploring on our own.

Flight to Cairo

We loaded our bags and left the hotel at 2:30 for the Ben Gurion Airport. Our check-in and boarding process for our flight to Cairo went smoothly. Upon arriving in Cairo, we were met by our agents who escorted us to our hotel for a late dinner and overnight. We fly to Luxor (500 miles south and considered the “Heart of Egypt”) tomorrow morning.

Day 11 – Wednesday, March 1: Flight to Luxor, Valley of Kings & Queens, Temples of Medinet Habu & Hatshepsut, Felucca Boat Ride on Nile River, Temple of Karnak

Today began very early!  We woke up at 4 a.m. in order to get to the airport for our flight to Luxor. Located about 500 miles south of Cairo, Luxor is the heart of Egypt in many ways! The flight took a little over an hour.

Valley of the Kings & Queens

When we arrived in Luxor, we loaded the bus and headed directly to the Valley of the Kings. 63 pharaohs have been buried here since the start of the New Kingdom. We went into three tombs: Ramses IV (a Pharoah of the 20th Dynasty), Ramses III (the one who defeated the Sea Peoples), and Mernaptah (the Pharaoh who seized Canaan, including Gezer, and mentions “Israel” on his stele). We all purchased extra tickets to into the tomb of Ramses V & VI as well as the famous King Tut’s tomb as well. His mummy is on display here as well as his sarcophagus.

The well-preserved colors in all the tombs of the wall reliefs were stunning to see. The religious focus within the Egyptian belief system upon the after-life is plain to see in all these tombs! It took between six months and three years to build these tombs, some more complex than others. They began  building these tombs once the Pharoah became king.

Close by we also saw three smaller tombs in the Valley of the Queens: Amen Khopshef (son of Ramses III. He was a priest and scribe), Titi, and Prince Kha ‘Em Wast (another son of Ramses III). There are a total of 95 tombs in this valley.

Alabaster Shop/Store

Close by are many alabaster shops. We went to one whose owner and his workers were quite the comedian. It was interesting to see how some of the vessels are made. The final products made from stone are impressive.

Temple of Hatshepsut

On the opposite side of the cliff of the Valley of the Kings is the Temple of Hatshepsut. The temple was built in 1470 BC. Hatshepsut was most likely the Pharaoh’s daughter who rescued Moses (Exodus 2). She was the daughter of Thutmose I and reigned for over 20 years. She was despised by those who succeeded her, with her image and cartouches eliminated and/or scratched away (perhaps both Thutmose III and Amenhotep II did this?).

Temple of Medinet Habu

The last temple on the western side we saw was the Medinet Habu. This was a dedicatory temple built in honor of Ramses III. Depicted on the pylons is the defeat of his enemies, including the Nubians and the “Sea Peoples” (i.e. the Philistines of the Bible). Ramses defeated the Sea Peoples in 1170 BC. The wall reliefs show Ramses holding the heads of his defeated enemies by the hair. He also cut off their hands and penises to humiliate them.

Colossi of Memnon

We passed by the Colossi of Memnon. These are two huge figures that are displayed at the Temple of Amenhotep III. They are about 60 feet high.

Temple of Karnak

In the late afternoon, we crossed back to the eastern side of the Nile River by taking a felucca boat. After a quick bite to eat, we drove to the Karnak Temple. This temple was first built around 2100 BC. Many Pharaohs are honored here, including Thutmose III (who had 16 military victorious campaigns and took Megiddo in Israel) and Ramses II (who reigned 67 years and lived until 91 years of age, 1303-2113 BC). We also saw the obelisk of Hatshepsut and the relief of Shishak (see 1 Kings 14:25-28).

Following this packed-filled day, we checked into our hotel in Luxor and enjoyed dinner and a free night. We fly back to Cairo tomorrow for two days.