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The ruins of the palace at Thebes - the seat of the Egyptian Kingdom for hundreds of years - is the second of the 'big sites' around the modern day city of Luxor. It a a sprawling, jumbled collection of buildings and art from all periods of Egypt's history, and a fantastically photogenic place to visit during the day or night. 

Faces and hieroglyphs Ramesses II overlooking the courtyard

Giant colossi flank the entrance pylons Amenhotep's courtyard

Movers and shakers from all historical periods have passed through here. Above is a cartouche that reads "ALKSNDRS" - Alexander the Great, revered as a god when he conquered Egypt.   When Christianity reigned in the land, the ancient church often appropriated the religious sites, painting over the inscriptions with figures and stories straight our of the Bible.   And the Muslims did the same thing - even to the extent of building a mosque inside the temple that is still around today! Check out the door in the very center of the white wall - that was 'ground level' in the temple complex before it was archeologically excavated and renovated.

They are twins, aren't they?!

Susan and Alea offer sacrifices to Pharaoh Breck as evening falls.

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Heading back after an evening dinner, we walked around the lit-up temple.

What to us is a 'wonder of the world' is just another vast public park to the inhabitants of the city. What a fantastic place to love! (Notice the entrance to the mosque above?)

On that same walk, we came across this display of scarabs, a symbol of eternal life.
Speaking of eternal life, the final resting place of pharaohs is next!!

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