welcome to villa al diwan

villa al diwan have its new swimming pool

2011-09-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Brooke Hospital for Animals - luxor

2010-12-27T04:26:00.000-08:00

The Brooke is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules through direct veterinary treatment and community programmes around animal health and well-being.

The Brooke is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules through direct veterinary treatment and community programmes around animal health and well-being.

We work with individuals, groups and organisations to ensure working equine animals get the living and working conditions they deserve. With over 800 staff in the field we currently work in eleven countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The Brooke’s work also benefits poor people who rely on these animals for their livelihoods. The majority of working horses and donkeys are owned by individuals who use them to support their primary means of income to sustain often large and extended families. These animals are becoming ever more important in developing countries to alleviate poverty, assure food security and promote self-reliance.

Current situation - Egypt
Access to good quality, affordable vet services still remains a challenge for many working animals and their owners in these communities. This is because most established vet service providers simply do not provide the kind of specialist services that working horses, donkeys and mules need.

However, with the Brooke’s help, training and guidance, local healers, farriers, saddlers and owners are taking an active role in providing animal welfare and health services.

Making a difference
The goal of the Brooke’s programme in Egypt is to ensure measurable improvements are made in the welfare of working horses and mules.

Our programme in Egypt reaches out to 230 communities in seven regions: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Edfu, Alexandria, Mersa Matruh and the Nile Delta

In 2009, and continuing in 2010 we will be:
•providing quality vet services through Brooke clinics and supporting and developing Local Health Providers (LHP) so they increase their responsibility for treatment and prevention
•training paravets and farriers in the communities in which we work
•improving animal welfare practices across all regions by providing pre-treatment training sessions; community meetings; and best donkey and horse competitions
•conducting regional welfare assessments to give evidence of improvements in the welfare of high-risk animals
•at a national level, we are carrying out animal-friendly research into:
◦respiratory diseases (Cairo)
◦tumours (Luxor)
◦de-worming

In 2009, we helped 115,000 working horses, donkeys and mules (across 230 communities) through our clinics and mobile teams; through training local health providers; and by carrying out community-based education work.
to read moore about the brooke please click here

Animal welfare of Luxor

2010-12-27T04:22:00.000-08:00

Animal Welfare of Luxor is addressing a desperate need to educate the children of non-tourist Luxor in the proper care of their animals and the animals that work for their family.

AWOL is a small UK and Luxor registered Charity that works on the west bank of Luxor outside the tourist areas in the very poor farming villages of El Marise and Armant. Though we call them villages it is a very large area for AWOL to cover. It is hot, dirty and at times quite distressing but also very rewarding.

AWOL - because the children are the future.

to read more about animal welfare of luxor, please click here

Animal Care In Luxor

2010-12-27T04:13:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt like your heart was going to break? That sensation when you see something you just can't imagine possible and you have no control over? That happened in the dusty back streets of Luxor, Egypt. Kim and her Aunt Julie, whilst on holiday, saw people struggling to feed their families and abusing their means to do so. Small underfed donkeys being beaten and suffering from neglect by owners who needed them so badly. What could be done?

Julie Wartenberg has always had a love for Egypt and strong interest in Egyptology, and kindly brought her Niece, Kim Taylor for various holidays to explore the country.

Kim Taylor was not really 'into' Egyptology, but was constantly looking at the condition of the working animals in the back streets of Luxor. So Kim and Julie devised a way to ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING about the things that they were seeing.

"In life we often see things that we would like to change, but to get the opportunity to totally change your life around and put your ideas into action is rare" ... Kim Taylor

Julie Wartenberg used her retirement package from IFAW as a set up cost for the new charity which enabled ACE to rent a small piece of land and build a washing area. As well as donating a large sum of her own money in towards the running costs in our first few years. Julie also worked tirelessly to organize all the paperwork needed to set up a charity in Egypt and the UK, along with relentlessly fundraising to ensure the future of ACE.

Why a washing area?
The one thing that stood out in Kim's mind amongst all the sad sights of Luxor was the saddle sores on the horses' and donkeys' backs. Most of the saddle sores are caused because dust, dirt and sweat accumulates under the tack, if it is washed off it will help to prevent the sores. Every day we told the owners of the horses and donkeys that their animals would be in a better condition with a little preventative care.

That was more than ten years ago and for the first few years Kim, who has been the Centre Manager, from the start, cried every day as she felt that, despite all the trying, ACE were getting nowhere.

Originally ACE was to be a preventative centre, but as we progressed we soon realised that, we needed to give a full Veterinary service also. For example, if a man came into ACE with an animal with a cut in its leg, this could and would not be sorted just by washing.

Julie and Kim wanted ACE to be more than a place where people could bring their horses and donkeys, for a roll in the sand pit, a shower and a drink of clean water. They wanted somewhere that could then offer a full check over by an out-patient vet so that problems could be identified, and proper treatment options made available by fully qualified vets.

These problems could then either be resolved in the out-patient clinic, or if necessary the animal could be admitted as an inpatient for treatment.

So now, ACE has a Veterinary Hospital which gives free veterinary care and treatment to all kinds of neglected and abused animals. ACE also runs an educational programme where up to 300 children a week come from local schools to learn that animals feel pain and should be treated with respect as they serve their human masters. ACE is doing all that we can to ensure better animal welfare standards in the future for all animals. But we need your help to continue …

ACE is an ever-growing, great team of professionals and volunteers all working towards the same goal - To relieve and prevent the suffering of the animals in Egypt.
To know more about animal care in Egypt click here

King Tut suffered 'massive' chest injury, new research reveals

2010-11-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Tut's head, new research suggests that he sustained a "massive" chest injury, possibly caused by a hippo. Photo by Sandro VanniniA new study shows that Tutankhamun, Egypt’s famous “boy-king” who died around the age of 18, suffered a “massive crushing tearing injury to his chest” that likely would have killed him.
X-rays and CT scans have previously shown that the pharaoh’s heart, chest wall, the front part of his sternum and adjacent ribs, are missing. In Ancient Egypt the heart was like the brain and removing it was something that was not done.
“The heart, considered the seat of reason, emotion, memory and personality, was the only major organ intentionally left in the body,” writes Dr. Robert Ritner in the book Ancient Egypt.
The new research was done by Dr. Benson Harer, a medical doctor with an Egyptology background, who was given access to nearly 1700 CT scan images of Tut that were taken by a team of Egyptian scientists in 2005. Dr. Zahi Hawass, head of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, gave permission for the work.
“Zahi was very kind he let me get access to the entire database of all the CT scans,” said Dr. Harer.
It has been suggested that tomb robbers, operating sometime between 1925 and 1968, may have stolen the heart and chest bones. The new research shows that while robbers stole some of Tut’s jewellery they didn’t take the body parts. Instead they were lost due to a massive chest injury Tut sustained while he was still alive.
This isn’t the only medical problem Tut had. In 2005 a team of researchers reported that he had a broken leg and earlier this year an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that Tut suffered from malaria, something that may have contributed to his death.
to read more click here

New Statue found on west bank,Luxor

2010-11-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

The SCA mission working on the site known as Kom Hetan on west bank,Luxor has found the upper part of a double statue of red granite for Amenhotep III (1410-1372 B.C) in the north west of Amenhotep III temple site.

The statue represents Amenhotep III next to Re Hor Akheti in a shape of a falcon or hawk. Amehotep III left behind many statues with different Ancient Egyptian gods like Amon Re,Mut,Bastet,Sobek and Sekhmet.The German mission who is working on Amenhotep III temple behind the statues of Memnons has found nearly 80 statues of Sekhmet as she was the goddess of healing and the King was sick for a while at the end of his reign. When Dr. Zahi Hawass was checking the south east area of the temple he found a number of statues underground in an area was infringed by farmers nearby since a long time ago and Dr. Samir Farag the governor is negotiating with the farmers in the surrounded area to take the land for a compensation in order to convert it into an open display area for the found artefacts

New Discovery at Giza

2010-11-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

An Egyptian archaeological mission directed by Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), has discovered a large mud brick wall dating to the reign of King Thuthmose IV (1400-1390 BCE). The wall was uncovered in the area located in front of King Khafre’s valley temple on the Giza plateau.Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosny added that the discovery was made during routine excavation work carried out by the SCA.

Dr. Hawass stated that the newly discovered wall consists of two parts: the first section is 75cm tall and stretches for 86m from north to south along the eastern side of Khafre’s valley temple and the Sphinx; the second part is 90cm tall and is located in the area north of Khafre’s valley temple. This section is 46m long and runs from east to west along the perimeter of the valley temple area. The two parts of the wall converge at the south-east corner of the excavation area.Hawass explained that according to initial studies carried out at the site, the newly discovered wall is a part of a larger wall found to the north of the Sphinx. This wall was constructed by King Thuthmose IV as an enclosure to protect the Sphinx from winds. According to ancient Egyptian texts the construction of this wall was the result of a dream which Thuthmose had after a long hunting trip in Wadi El-Ghezlan (Deer Valley), an area next to the Sphinx. In the king’s dream, the Sphinx asked the king to move the sand away from his body because it choked him. For this favor, the Sphinx promised to make Thutmose IV King of Egypt. To accomplish this task, Thuthmose IV removed the sand that had partially buried the Sphinx and built an enclosure wall to preserve it.

Hawass pointed out that archaeologists previously believed that the enclosure wall only existed on the Sphinx’s northern side because a 3m tall by 12 m long section had been found there. This theory has now been disproven thanks to the discovery of the two new wall sections along the eastern and southern sides of the Sphinx.In addition to the two sections of the enclosure wall, the SCA team found a mudbrick wall on the eastern side of Khafre’s valley temple. Hawass believes that this wall could be the remains of Khafre’s pyramid settlement, which was inhabited by priests and officials who oversaw the activities of the mortuary cult of Khafre. This cult began at the king’s death and continued until the eighth dynasty (ca. 2143-2134 BCE), which was the end of the Old Kingdom.Essam Shehab, supervisor of Khafre’s valley temple excavation, said that the mission also dug a 6m deep assessment trench in the area located in front of Khafre’s valley temple to search for any activity dating to the Middle Kingdom (2030 – ca. 1660 BCE). Initial inspection did not reveal any Middle Kingdom activity in the trench as it was filled with almost 5m of sand. Such amount of sand, said Shehab, suggested that the area was abandoned during the Middle Kingdom.Excavations continue in order to reveal the rest of the Thuthmose IV enclosure wall and any other secrets still hidden within the sand.

Luxor again and again

2010-10-12T02:55:00.000-07:00

Thebes was the capital when Ancient Egyptian civilisation reached its zenith, where grand temples were built in the name of the gods and extravagant tombs glorified the Pharaohs even in the afterlife. These monuments are one reason why one trip to Luxor is never enough; they are abundant and discoveries are ongoing.
Luxor is one of the most congested places on earth, but I'm not talking about unruly traffic; it's the number of monuments. The wealth of historical sites to visit leaves you worn out by the end of the day, especially if you are on a short visit. There is, of course, a relaxing way to enjoy the city . to read more

A painted burial chamber of the 25th Dynasty priest Karakhamun was discovered on Luxor's west bank,

2010-10-12T02:34:00.000-07:00

"Karakhamun's tomb is one of the most beautiful tombs of the 25th Dynasty because of the preservation of the colour and the unique quality of the scenes," Pischikova said. "Now," she continued, "the team is consolidating every fragment of the decoration found in the debris. The rest of the tomb must then be cleared of debris, the decorations consolidated and cleaned while the pillared are reinforced. Our final goal is to reconstruct the tomb in situ after restoring and placing all its fragments back to its original place."

According to the ACP website, Karakhamus is described as the most enigmatic figure in the Assassif necropolis. Nothing is known of his family and even he himself did not seem to have any important administrative positions. His priestly title does not signify any particular importance. His Nubian name is one of the reasons why studies that mention Karakhamun date his presence in Thebes to the 25th Dynasty. The tomb's architectural features as far as they are known also confirm this date.

Karakhamun's serpentine ushabti is of Nubian style with facial features that suggest a pre-Taharqo date, probably Shabaqo. "It is possible to suggest that it is the largest tomb in the necropolis with two pillared halls and multiple burial chambers," the website wrote, adding that it was built for a person of no important position who must have had close connections to the royal court or the royal family itself. Further exploration of the tomb could shed more light on its date and the identity of Karakhamun himself.

The Gold Mask of Tutankhamun and Its Significance

2010-10-12T02:30:00.001-07:00

British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered the Gold Mask of Tutankhamun (ca. 1332-1323 B.C.) in 1925. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Harry Burton recorded the spectacular find in crisp black-and-white photographs, each carefully taken inside the Burial Chamber of the adolescent king's four-room tomb. Developed from fragile glass negatives, Burton's pictures have since etched an indelible impression of ancient Egyptian royalty into the popular imagination. He masterfully captured the mask centuries after Tutankhamun's funeral, a ceremony that occurred more than 10 years following the religiously turbulent Amarna Period of Akhenaten (r. 1353-1336 B.C.), the frail young ruler's iconoclastic father. to read more

Desert Roads Lead to Discovery in Egypt

2010-10-12T02:25:00.000-07:00

In the practice of what they call desert-road archaeology, the Darnells found pottery and ruins where soldiers, merchants and other travelers camped in the time of the pharaohs. On a limestone cliff at a crossroads, they came upon a tableau of scenes and symbols, some of the earliest documentation of Egyptian history. Elsewhere, they discovered inscriptions considered to be one of the first examples of alphabetic writing.

The explorations of the Theban Desert Road Survey, a Yale University project co-directed by the Darnells, called attention to the previously underappreciated significance of caravan routes and oasis settlements in Egyptian antiquity. And two weeks ago, the Egyptian government announced what may be the survey’s most spectacular find.

New statue of Amenhotep III uncovered!

2010-10-12T02:22:00.000-07:00

The upper part of a granite double statue of king Amenhotep III (1410-1372 BC) was unearthed at Kom El-Hittan in the west bank of Luxor. Kom el-Hittan is the site of the temple of Amenhotep III, which was once the largest temple on Luxor’s west bank. The temple originally had two entrances: one on the eastern side where the Colossi of Memnon reside, and one at the northern side, where the double statue was located. The statue was found during a routine excavation carried out by an Egyptian team of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

Statue of ancient Egyptian god Thoth Discovered at Amenhotep III's Mortuary Temple

2010-10-12T02:16:00.000-07:00

Archaeologists have discovered a colossal statue of the ancient Egyptian god Thoth at the north-western side of King Amenhotep III's funerary temple at Luxor.
The red granite statue depicting Thoth, the ancient Egyptian deity of wisdom, is 3,5 metres tall and 140 cm wide. In a statement, Dr Zahi Hawass said that evidence found at the excavation suggests more colossi could be found here still. The first traces of these large statues were uncovered during works aiming at controlling the subterranean water level on Luxor's west bank.

responsible tourism

2010-04-04T02:12:00.000-07:00

this film about responsible tourism
http://www.on-location.eu/viewer/shockingfootage2/

Qurna history project

2010-04-04T02:01:00.000-07:00

Qurna was the village on the west bank at Luxor, Egypt. It existed for over 200 years. From late 2006-2009 the people have been relocated and most of the buildings demolished. The Qurna History Project continues to collect, document and display its history. On this website you can find information on: Qurna History Project

Endangered Historical Sites in Egypt

2009-11-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to HaWea

Endangered Historical Sites in Egypt

What do we want from our three and a half thousand year-old temples?
Do we want to turn them into a Hollywood version of Ancient Egypt? Or to become the centre of a commercial enterprise wholly subordinate to money-making tourist projects? Or do we want to preserve our patrimony, without further damage and in an authentic setting, for future generations?

Luxor Caleche (horse drawn carriage - hantour)

2009-11-16T02:24:00.000-08:00

Caleche (horse drawn carriage - hantour)
Caleches, also known locally as 'hantours' are plentiful. You will be offered rides by drivers and touts - constantly. They will even drive beside you as you walk down the road, trying to persuade you to buy a ride. They will offer to take you to the market and give the impression that it is a special market or that the market is only open that day (the main big market is open every day, all day).
Despite the efforts of local animal charities, and although the position has improved in recent years and is still improving, few of the horses appear to be well looked after. The drivers tend to gallop the horses and use their whips unnecessarily. Rarely do you see a horse in the shade or drinking.

If you really must ride in one, please choose carefully. Select one that looks well looked after and not too thin. Do be careful what you pay. Initially you will offered a ride for, say, ten pounds. If you accept quickly, without clarifying the cost, you may be charged ten English pounds per person. Resist for a while and the cost will drop and will become Egyptian pounds. Ultimately, you should not pay more than the taxi fare. Make sure you do not pay more for the ride than the price they enticed you with.
If you do take a ride, drivers will often try to persuade you to stop off at various shops or restaurants, typically owned by their 'cousin', where they will earn a substantial commission on your purchases. Even if you say you do not want to go, they will often stop outside anyway. If you say you are not going in they will sometimes go in themselves and leave you in the caleche, hoping you will follow them. They can make more from the commissions than from driving, so they can be quite keen to get you into a shop. Usually, their commission does not come off the shop owners profit - it is added to your purchase cost. So if you do want something it can be better to return later without a local 'escort' and haggle a better price.

Don't get caught
We have seen people agree a ride for, say 20 pounds, expect to pay 20 Egyptian pounds for the group but at the end of the ride get charged 20 English pounds per person.
Make it clear that the agreed price for a caleche ride is in Egyptian pounds and for all of you.

Luxor Video

2009-10-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

city and principal component of Al-Uqṣur urban muḥāfaẓah (governorate), Upper Egypt . Luxor has given its name to the southern half of the ruins of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes . Area governorate, 21 square miles (55 square km). Pop. (2006) governorate, 451,318.

Carry-On Luggage Restrictions and Requirements

2009-09-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Carry-On Luggage Restrictions and Requirements

By Kazi Niyaz

Carry-on luggage is now under considerably more difficult restrictions due to unfortunate events. The Transportation Safety Administration has set up some new luggage rules, with many airlines subsequently adding a few of their own for extra security. Among these are the new liquid and gel inspections. Here are some of the most important carry-on luggage restrictions and requirements you should prepare to follow when traveling. However, do not limit yourself to these instructions; the best information is from the TSA itself.
The liquid and gel inspections is set up in what's called the "3-1-1" rule: the liquid must be in a bottle with a maximum volume of 3.4 ounces in a 1 quart-sized, transparent bag with 1 bag per traveler. This is for most liquids and gels, including hand sanitizer. In order to prevent delays, you should simply leave this in your checked luggage. Not all liquids and gels are prohibited, however. All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, baby formula or breast milk (if a baby is present), and anything that is important in saving a person's life (organs, bone marrow, blood, ice to cool) or plastic surgery (implants, saline solutions, etc.) are all allowed. You should declare any of these above items to prevent delays.
As for the carry-on luggage itself, the rules follow in something called total inches. The standard rule is 45 total inches, meaning that your bag's dimensions simply add up to 45. Technically, you could have a 1-inch by 1-inch by 43-inches carry-on, but most airlines are expecting 22-inches by 14-inches by 9-inches. Take care when measuring your bag, however. These rules are designed for the measurements inside the bag, not the outside. They don't even consider the possibility that you could be carrying things on the outside pockets of the bag. Not only that, but once you get past the check at the airport, you have to make sure your bag somehow fits under your seat. Otherwise, it's move it or lose it.
However, if you happen to encroach on any of the size limitations, you might still be able to be let through without any problems. Domestic airlines haven't been properly demonstrating the full examination of carry-on luggage; many people have admitted that their bags were outside of the allowed sizes, but were still let through by the officials.
The last check that some, not all, airlines will do is check for the weight of the carry-on bag. The range of allowed weights starts at a low of 16 pounds set by Virgin America and ends at a high of 50 pounds for Midwest. American, Continental, US Air, and Delta are at 40 pounds. Other airlines like United and Southwest do not currently have a limitation on the weight of the carry-on.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kazi_Niyaz

Tips on Packing a Suitcase - The Stack Method

2009-09-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

Tips on Packing a Suitcase - The Stack Method

By Kathryn Castle

Packing a suitcase properly has thwarted many a traveler! But it's not too tricky if you know the tips. The goal, as always, is to maximize space while avoiding a case full of wrinkled and unwearable clothing. Luckily there are several ways to achieve this. This article looks at the Stack Method.
1) Figure out ahead of time how much and what kind of clothing you'll need for your trip. Clearly a week-long city break requires more than a weekend to the country. Ask yourself: What does the weather report say? Will you have laundry facilities where you're going? It goes without saying that you won't need hiking boots for a beach holiday or a suit at a camp site!
2) Pack only small toiletries if possible. Make sure to seal them in plastic bags to protect against spillage. If you really need bigger bottles or packages, at least make sure they are a practical shape - flat instead of round or uneven. Choose bottles with screw-on or secure caps that won't suddenly burst open.
3) Before you begin packing, make a list. Then cut down this list by about 10% or so. It helps if you figure out your outfits beforehand, so you know if all the items are really necessary. Once you're made sure you're not taking too much unnecessary stuff, you're ready to pack.
The Stack Method
1. Start with shirts, t shirt and tops. Stack them all on top of each other without folding them. Make sure the more easily wrinkled ones are at the bottom.2. Now fold the sleeves all in together.3. Fold the shirts in half. You should end up with a roughly rectangular shape. Because they are in a big bundle, your tops are more wrinkle-resistant and the shape means they will fit nicely into your suitcase.4. Fold trousers and jeans individually in half and stack them again in order of wrinkliness!5. Hold this pile in half like you did with the shirts and place your trousers rectangle into the suitcase alongside the shirts pile6. If you have skirts and dresses, lie them down in the suitcase over the your two rectangles. Tuck the ends around the piles to save space.7. Stuff your shoes with underwear and socks and fit them into the gaps in your suitcase.8. Do the same with toiletries and any other possessions - but if possible, keep them towards the center to prevent excessive bumping and possible spillage.
Kathryn Castle writes on a range of subjects for HolidayCheck, including how to look your best on holiday or while traveling!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Castle

10 Reasons Why People Travel

2009-09-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

10 Reasons Why People Travel

By Shirley

When people decide to leave the comforts of their home and venture to other locations there is usually a reason behind it. Whether the cause to travel was a last minute whimsy or had an actual purpose, it makes one think about all of the reasons why people travel. Reflect on the last time you left your location and ventured to another one. Did it have a purpose behind it? Let's look and see if your motive to travel matched any of the one's listed below. These are not listed in any particular order.
1. Romance- There are thousands of people who are involved in long distance relationships. At some point though, they need to see each other. For the sake of love, people will travel for hours to spend as much time as they can with the love of their life.
2. Relaxation- All work and no play is not a good thing. People need to get away from the stress of everyday life, and a nice sunny location with a beach might just be what the doctor ordered.
3. Family/ Friends -Many people have family/friends that are located in different parts of the world. They need to visit with them even if it's for a short period of time.
4. Religion- There are places in the world that hold religious importance for many people. Religious travel is often related to a purpose such as seeing where the last pope was buried, or traveling to the town where Jesus was born.
5. Death- A relative, friend or acquaintance has passed away and travel is required to attend the funeral which is located out of town.
6. Honeymoon- You're getting married and are going somewhere special to celebrate. This usually occurs right after the wedding, but there are many occasions where people celebrate a honeymoon years later.
7. Education-You're getting your education somewhere other than where you live or you are going away on an educational school trip.
8. Celebration- Wedding, Anniversary, Birthday, Birth- There's always something to celebrate and it doesn't always happen where you live.
9. Medical/Health- Sometimes the treatment you need isn't available in the city/town where you live. Often the best medical care is costly and requires travel to receive it.
10. Work- Job requirements might mean a fair bit of travel is involved. Even if the travel is within your own country it still has a purpose attached to it.
Overall, traveling can be a wonderful experience or it can be draining, expensive and just plain torture. Nonetheless if you need to go then embrace it for what it is, and try to make the best of it even if it wasn't planned.
Shirley Merith is a certified travel professional with over 20 years of travel industry experience. She is also a college professor, professionally trained public speaker and freelance travel writer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_Merith

Blue Horse Gallery to host reception for Egyptian students

2009-09-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

" BELLINGHAM - A welcoming reception for Whatcom Community College's Egyptian Initiative Program students will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Blue Horse Gallery, 301 W. Holly St.
The program, funded by federal grant money, brings Egyptian students to Whatcom Community College for a year to work on their education, do an internship and meet with the community.
The Egyptian students will introduce themselves to the community, discuss their culture and answer questions, said Kim Wright, Blue Horse Gallery's marketing coordinator.
Artwork by children from the La Galta Village near Luxor, Egypt, will be on sale during the reception. Proceeds will be donated to the village to help with medical treatment, food supply and other community programs, Wright said.
The reception is open to all community members. Visit bluehorsegallery.com for more information. "

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Villa al diwan comment :

in Jan 2009 , Mr. Wade Marlow organised trip to Egypt with a group of artists and they stayed at villa al diwan . he asked us to invite kids from the village to do paintings work, he offer them the materials to do so. now we see how much work Mr. Wade is doing behind the scene.

We take the chance here to thank Mr. Wade Marlow and his people for the great work they are doing. We will our best to thank Mr. Wade in our own way when he comes back to the villa next time in Jan.2010

Wireless Internet service at Villa Al Diwan

2009-01-26T13:28:00.000-08:00

We offer a complete selection of internet access through :

Wireless Internet connection and USB modem (HSDPA) USB dongle are now available at villa al diwan.

New Dinning area

2009-01-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

To let our guest enjoy their time while they have thier meals at the villa, we provide a new dinning tables which enough for 12 persons or more.

Insects

2009-01-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

The main insect problem is flies. There are no more than on a hot English summer day, but they can be a nuisance.
There are mosquitoes in Luxor. They do not carry the deadly diseases that are prevalent in some other parts of Africa. Most visitors never see a single one, but they are around, they do bite and they can draw blood. Mosquitoes are usually only a problem at dawn and dusk. If you are out at those times, cover your legs and arms. They can also be a noise nuisance at night in the hotel room. We suggest packing a fly swat.
If the thought of mosquitoes bothers you it is best to take some precautions. Many regular travellers recommend taking vitamin B tablets for a week before the trip and daily whilst you are in Egypt. Apparently it makes the blood taste nasty to the mosquitoes so they leave you alone. In most Luxor supermarkets and pharmacies you can buy cans of ‘OFF’ (in a red can) to spray on your exposed skin before you go out and 'after bite' cream can also be purchased.
For when you are in the room there are products that you spray into the air rather than on yourself which are easily available in Luxor. (If you stay in a hotel then they will spray your room for you if you report a problem). An alternative to sprays are the solid tablets that you place on a heater pad and plug into the mains socket. These give off a chemical gradually through the night to deal with mosquitoes and other flying insects.
There are other flying things. Dragonflies abound in season (they migrate like birds, so they are not around all year). They are normally above or near water, so you are almost bound to see them in the Nile-side hotels. Dragonflies (and damselflies) do not bite people.

Occasionally there will be large hornets. These are the same insect family as 'yellow jacket' wasps, but can be a lot bigger. They only leave the nest in early to mid autumn, so are not a problem most of the year. Hornets do sting. The sting is similar in nature to a wasp sting, although in the species of hornet found in Egypt the sting is actually a little more toxic, and a little more painful, than a wasp sting. This is not a major problem for most people (apart from the pain) but if you are allergic to wasp stings and need to do something when you are stung, then you should be prepared to take similar preventative or remedial action against a hornet sting if you are in Luxor when hornets are around.

LIZARDS

There are small lizards in Egypt. These are not a problem, but be aware that they are around and that they may even climb the wall of the hotel.

Your Children in Luxor

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Is Luxor safe for children?
Most Egyptians love children. If you take children of any age to Luxor, you will find that they are welcomed just about everywhere and that they will receive a great deal of attention. Of course, in any country there are people who ignore all local and international standards and behave in a way that is inexplicable to the vast majority of people. Having said that, in Egypt children are at least as safe as they are anywhere and a great deal safer than in many 'developed' countries.

Restaurants
Nearly all restaurants welcome children and some have highchairs. There is a McDonalds (in the area to the rear of Luxor Temple), with Snacktime close by which has a whole floor for children, with excellent, good quality indoor play equipment and Smiley children's menu.
Provisions
It is worth taking with you the things that you know you will need and that you can fit within your luggage allowance. Some things are priced competitively in Luxor, but some things, especially imported things, are more expensive in Luxor than in the UK. However, if you come without something there is no need to worry as you should be able to find all the essentials, such as baby milk, nappies, creams and lotions. Baby things that you might expect to find in a supermarket in 'western' countries are more likely to be found in ‘pharmacies’ in Luxor.
Charges
Most entrance tickets and transport in Luxor are free for children up to the age of six. We are not aware of anyone being charged for entry to any of the sights, including the tombs and the National ferry, for any child who is, or looks 6 or younger. There is no need to mention the younger children. It is taken for granted that they do not pay. Just go to the ticket office, buy tickets for the adults and older children and don't mention the younger ones unless they do. A lot seems to be down to the official when assessing ages.
Children between 7 and 13 (inclusive) usually pay a reduced rate which is around half the adult price but rounded up to the nearest LE5. Children who look 14 or more will need a student card to get the reduced student rate.
Weather
We all know that it is hot in Luxor and that the sun is strong. It is probably best to avoid the very hottest months, June - August, when temperatures can soar to the high fifties in the sun. Obvious, as this seems, it is worth saying that the highest factor sunscreen should be used. Medical advice is that nothing under factor 30 is very effective. There can be fairly strong breezes on and beside the Nile and this can disguise the heat so you don't always realise how strong the sun really is. Protection is important all the time, even when it does not appear to be so hot. Please use the parasol for the pushchair and use huge rimmed hats to keep the sun off the child’s face and neck.
Cruise Boats
Many of the cruise ships have a minimum age limit and will not take children for safety reasons.
Balloon Rides
There does not appear to be a minimum age limit for the balloon rides although they would need to be tall enough to see over the edge of the basket, which is about 1 Metre.
Pavements and Roads
The pavements in Luxor are not all flat and even and a lot of the curbs are very high. Ramps between the pavement and the road are scarce. These problems combine to make taking a pushchair on the pavements in Luxor quite difficult. It can be done, but many people with chair-aged children prefer to push them along the edge of the road, especially between the tourist area at the southern end of Luxor and the Corniche. Using the road may encourage the occasional car horn but it is not uncommon for people to walk at the edge of the roadside and is often preferred to climbing and descending the many high curbs along the way.

Remember! your child under 16 does not need a Visa if on parents/guardians passport. If they have own passport then a Visa is required

Do I need Visa?

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A visa for entry into Egypt is required for visitors from most countries. Visas are available in advance from the Egyptian Embassy in the visitors home country but visitors from some countries, including the UK, the rest of Europe, the USA and Canada, can arrive without a visa and get one on arrival at the entry airport.
Children need their own visa if they have their own passport. Children do not need a separate visa if they are on a parent's passport. It is one visa per passport, not one visa per person.
Currently, nationals of Iran, Bangladesh, Tunisia, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq and Eritrea need clearance from authorities in Cairo before a visa can be issued.
You can get a visa in advance from your own country or from the country you visit before going to Egypt.
To apply for a visa in advance you need to take the application form (it can be downloaded from the embassy or consulate web site), a passport photo of the applicant and the passport of the applicant, which must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of issue of the visa. You also need the fee in cash or in a form acceptable to your national embassy or consulate. In the UK the acceptable alternative to cash is a postal order payable to 'The Egyptian Consulate'. Cheques and credit cards are not accepted. In some cases you may also need proof of your return from Egypt, such as the return half of an airline ticket. Check with your local embassy whether that applies to you - you do not need proof of return if you have a UK passport.
If applying by post the same documents are required but the fee has to be sent by the alternative method (a postal order in the UK), not in cash. You will also need to add a return envelope, self addressed in block capitals, with sufficient postage for registered or recorded delivery.
For holders of UK, Canadian and most European passports, a single entry tourist visa in advance is £15. A multiple entry tourist visa, which allows any number of visits within a 6 month period, is £18. The multiple entry visa allows a maximum cumulative time in Egypt of 3 months within the 6 months validity.
The cost of a single entry visa in advance for holders of USA, Russian, and some Scandinavian passports is £12 and a multiple entry visa is the same. German passport holders pay £13 for a single or multiple entry visa. South African nationals get one free.
Please check the cost of the visa at time of application in case there have been any changes.
Buying a single entry visa on arrival at Luxor will cost 15 US dollars, which is under £10. For all UK, European and American passport holders this is cheaper than buying a single entry visa in advance. However, if you are returning within 6 months it is cheaper to buy a multiple entry visa in advance than to buy single entry visas on arrival each time.
Please read the ARRIVING AT LUXOR AIRPORT page to avoid paying too much
for your visa in the arrivals terminal
If you are a national of a country other than Canada, Europe, or the USA, check with your local Egyptian embassy whether you are allowed to get a visa on arrival.

How do I Dress in Luxor, Egypt

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Generally
The local culture, the weather and exactly where you are will influence what you wear.
Egypt is a Muslim country. The culture and dress code are not as strict in Egypt as in some muslim countries but it is still necessary to be modest, especially for ladies. Many disregard the dress code and just because they didn't hear what people were saying about them doesn't mean it is the right thing to do. It is much better to be sensitive to local culture and to dress in a way that will avoid offence.
Luxor is hot. Even in the winter, temperatures are generally high during the day so you will need light cottons at any time of the year. During October to March, it can get cooler in the evening and overnight so include a fleece, jacket, cardigan or jumper in your luggage. You can feel the chill on a cruise boat and on the train because they tend to turn the air conditioning to a low temperature.
Men in Luxor
For men, what to wear is less of an issue than it is for women. Normal trousers and shirt, T-shirt or polo are fine. Make sure they are lightweight and natural fibres - cotton is best. Polyester or any similar artificial fabric will become uncomfortable very quickly. By all means wear shorts in the hotel. Lots of people also wear them along the Corniche but most people would wear full length trousers in town. Certainly wear full-length trousers in mosques.
Women in Luxor
Our advice is to dress modestly but it is up to the individual. Apart from the need to respect local custom and religion there are two other benefits from modest clothing - first, it will protect you from the sun which is fierce most of the time and will soon damage exposed, unprotected skin; second, the more modest you are the less attention you will attract.
A basic wardrobe would be loose cotton or linen trousers and/or a longish skirt and tops with sleeves that are at least half-length. No-one expects you to cover your face nor do you have to cover your head. However, you should not expose cleavage or thighs and preferably also cover knees and elbows. Clothing, such as blouses, should not be transparent.
It is useful to carry a shawl or large scarf to help with covering up when you go to sensitive places, such as temples, or if you find yourself amongst a group of 'admiring' men.
Shoes
You will need 'practical' shoes. The roads and pavements are not very ‘walk friendly’ in a lot of places and most of the sights require trampling over unmade ground. Comfortable shoes or trainers with sturdy soles are best. Sandals are ok in the hotels and on cruises but there is a lot of sand, dust and rubble around which make sandals uncomfortable for walking around the streets.
Holy Places
It is always necessary to dress modestly to enter a mosque or other holy place. Some require extra covering up – please check. Ladies remember your shawl. Some require you to remove your shoes before entering.
Cruise Boats
The dress code is much more relaxed on a cruise boat than it is in town. Dress as though you were in the hotel. Shorts, swimming costumes, bikinis are all fine, but have something handy to cover up for when the ship gets to a town.
On four and five-star ships it is normal to dress up slightly for the evening meal. Few people would go as far as a tie for men or a long dress for women, but smart casual is expected. Long-sleeved shirt and full length trousers for men, dress, trousers or skirt with blouse for women.
Touring
Whereas Luxor is an ancient city with tourists, the Red Sea resorts like Sharm El Sheik and Hurghada are primarily tourist places and the dress code is much more relaxed. Shorts and T-shirts are fine for both genders but any form of nudity is illegal. When travelling from Luxor to other resorts you will go through traditional towns and villages, where the dress is normally more conservative than it is in Luxor, so on the bus or in the car, be ready to cover up. Cairo is a city where dress is modest and business-like. It would not be thought acceptable for men or women to wear shorts or vest-type T-shirts.

Listed here are Banks found in Luxor

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Listed here are Banks found in Luxor, Egypt:-
1-Central Bank of Egypt
http://www.cbe.org.eg/
2-Bank of Alexandria
http://www.alexbank.com/
3-National Bank of Egypt
http://www.nbe.com.eg/en/main.aspx
4-Banque Du Caire
http://www.bdc.com.eg/
5-HSBC Egypt
http://www.egypt.hsbc.com
6-Commerical International Bank
http://www.cibeg.com/en/Pages/default.aspx
7-Crédit Agricole Egypt
http://www.ca-egypt.com/
8-Piraeus Bank
http://www.piraeus.com.eg/
9-ABC Bank
http://www.arabbanking.com.eg/
10-Arab African International Bank
http://www.aaibank.com/
11-Barclays Bank Egypt
http://www.barclays.com/africa/egypt/barclays_in.htm
12-National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD)
http://www.nbad.com/
13-BNP Paribas
http://bank.bnpparibas.com
14-Banque Misr
http://www.banquemisr.com/
15- Opened recently in Luxor: The NSGB "National Société Générale Bank"
http://www.nsgb.com.eg/Pages/default.aspx

Egypt ends convoy system

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(01 December 2008)
Tourists visiting Egypt can now move around far more freely thanks to the end of the convoy system.
The system has been running for the last 11 years and required coaches travelling between cities and resorts to join up with police escorted convoys which restricted when tourists could travel due to terrorism concerns.
However, as of today the system has been ended during daylight hours although it will still be required between 6pm and 6am.
Discover Egypt commercial director Philip Breckner said: “For Discover Egypt clients travelling to and from Luxor to the Red Sea, it will also allow for more convenient travel times.
"It will also allow for travel between Luxor and Marsa Alam and Port Ghalib, which until now has not been practical.
“This is a great bonus for those choosing to travel and holiday in Egypt and agents, need to be aware of this when selling packages for December and 2009”.
by Edward Robertson

to read more

Life in Ancient Egypt

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Houses and villa of ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptian houses looked different than modern Egyptian houses. The earliest houses were made by tying reeds together in the shape of a beehive. The New Kingdom houses were made out of mud bricks. They were made by tying wood beams together with papyrus rope to make a frame. The frame was covered with white limestone plaster.

Keeping Cool
In order to keep the house cool the Egyptians had to be very careful about what they were doing. They couldn’t cook inside because it was too dangerous to cook over an open fire indoors, and it would just get way too hot inside. Instead, cooking was done outside or on the roof. The Ancient Egyptians kept cool by having small windows at the top of the house.

Annual Nile River Flood
When flooding season came, people who lived by the Nile River had to move away. When the flood was over, the owner of the house would knock the house down and build a new one on top. Eventually the pile would get big enough that the house was safe from the flood.
If every year you had to move because of a flood, why live there? The Egyptians liked to live there because the Nile River gave the Egyptians rich soil that was good for growing crops. So the Egyptian farmers would stay at their villa, which means farm, even though they would have to move and rebuild year after year.
Food To Feed Ancient Egypt
The Egyptians ate many different things. They also ate well. Even the poorest people ate a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables. The rich ate meat of many kinds, mostly cows and sheep. Some priests related pigs with Set, an evil god, and made it so most people did not want to eat pigs. Egyptians ate calves, oxen, and poultry like duck, goose, stork, and pigeon. Meat was expensive because there were very few grazing pastures for the cows and sheep and other animals to eat. Some people salted down fish and duck to try to preserve it. When you salt down meat, the salt sucks up all of the moisture and the meat.
Bread
I’m guessing that most people today would take our bread over Egyptian bread. It had a hard, rough feel to it. This was because when the Egyptians were grinding the grain, sand would mix in with the flour that came from the grain. They couldn’t take it out before they baked it so the bread tasted kind of rough, like you’re eating dirt. Eating this gritty bread caused an Ancient Egyptian’s teeth to wear down to the roots.

Drinks
Drinks were an important part of a meal. The rich drank wine and almost everybody else drank beer. When somebody held a party, it was called a "House of Beer." To make their beer, the Ancient Egyptians would half bake loaves of barley, then crumble it into barley and water. They sealed this mixture and let it settle. They didn’t want to drink all those lumps so they strained the beer before they drank it.
To make wine they picked a bunch of grapes and squeezed all of the juice out by stepping on them in a trough big enough to hold at least six men. This mixture was sealed in a clay pot with the date and vineyard almost exactly like today.

Plates
The rich ate off of plates of gold, silver, faience, and bronze at a low table. People with less money ate off of earthenware plates.

Thebes

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one of the famed cities of antiquity, the capital of the ancient Egyptian empire at its heyday. Thebes lay on either side of the Nile River at approximately latitude 26° N. The modern town of Luxor, or Al-Uqsur, which occupies part of the site, is 419 miles (675 km) south of Cairo. Ancient Thebes covered an area of some 36 square miles (93 square km). The main part of the city was situated along the Nile’s east bank; along the west bank was the necropolis, or “city of the dead”—an area containing the royal tombs and mortuary temples, as well as the houses of those priests, soldiers, craftsmen, and labourers who were devoted to the service of the Egyptian rulers. The Thebes area—including Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and Karnak—was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
History
The ancient name of Thebes was Wase, or Wo’se. The nome (province) of Wase, the fourth of Upper Egypt, is known to have existed from the 4th dynasty onward. The earliest monuments that have survived at Thebes proper date from the 11th dynasty (2081–1939 bc), when the local nomarchs (governors) united Egypt under their rule. From this time Thebes frequently served as the royal capital of Egypt and was called Nowe, or Nuwe (“City of Amon”), named for its chief god. The Greek name Thebes (Thebai) may have been derived from Ta-ope, the ancient Egyptian name for Luxor.
During the 12th dynasty (1938–1756), the royal residence was moved to the area of Memphis, but the kings of Egypt continued to honour Amon, their family god, and hence built temples at Thebes. After their invasion of Egypt and seizure of dynastic power about 1630, the Hyksos had little or no control over Thebes, and it was the lords of that city who finally drove the Hyksos out of Egypt (c. 1530–20). Then began the era of greatest prosperity for Thebes. The 18th-dynasty pharaohs rebuilt it and made it their capital, embellishing its temples with the spoils of Asia and the tribute of Nubia. During the 15th century bc great palaces, brightly painted and surrounded with gardens, rose on either bank of the river. Many noble families kept estates in the area, and in the crowded streets foreign traders and mercenaries mingled with the citizens. The pharaohs of the New Kingdom vied with each other in building great temples on the east bank and even larger mortuary temples on the west.
The height of Theban prosperity was reached in the 14th century bc in the reign of Amenhotep III (Amenophis III; reigned 1390–53), much of whose vast wealth from foreign tribute was poured into the temples of Amon. For a brief period in the reign of his son Akhenaton (1353–36), Thebes fell on evil times; the city was abandoned by the court, and the worship of Amon was proscribed. With its restoration by Tutankhamen (reigned 1333–23), however, Thebes soon regained its revenues and prestige, and it retained both through the reigns of Seti I (1290–79) and Ramses II (1279–13), who still resided for part of every year in Thebes. The city continued to be richly endowed; according to ancient sources, Ramses III (reigned 1187–56) donated 86,486 slaves and vast estates to Amon’s temples.
Under the later Ramessids, Thebes began to decline; the government fell, it seems, into grave economic difficulties. During the reign of Ramses IX (1126–08), about 1111 bc, a series of investigations into the plundering of royal tombs in the necropolis of western Thebes uncovered proof of corruption in high places, following an accusation made by the mayor of the east bank against his colleague on the west. The plundered royal mummies were moved from place to place and at last deposited by the priests of Amon in a tomb-shaft in Dayr al-Baḥrī and in the tomb of Amenhotep II. (The finding of these two hiding places in 1881 and 1898, respectively, was one of the great events of modern archaeological discovery.) Such maladministration in Thebes led to unrest. Control of local affairs tended to come more and more into the hands of the high priests of Amon, leading to a situation in which, after the death of the last Ramses in the 11th century, the government of Egypt was shared between the pharaoh in Tanis and the high pontiff at Thebes. Intermarriage and adoption strengthened the ties between them, daughters of the Tanite kings being installed as “God’s Wife of Amon” at Thebes, where they wielded greater power.
The Napatan (Nubian) pharaohs made Thebes their capital in the 7th century bc. Its fame among the early Greeks was such that Homer speaks of the wealth of “hundred-gated Thebes.” In 663, however, it was sacked by Ashurbanipal’s Assyrians, and, although rebuilt by the Saite governors (vassals of the Assyrians), it never fully recovered. In Strabo’s time (c. 63 bc–c. ad 23), the city had dwindled to a mere village visited by tourists who came to see the ancient temples.

Archaeology
Four of the main complexes of ruins are discussed in separate articles. (See Karnak; Luxor; Valley of the Kings; Valley of the Queens.) Among the other chief sites of Thebes are the royal mortuary temples, the palace of Amenhotep III, and the Tombs of the Nobles.

In the New Kingdom, when the pharaohs hid their tombs in the secret Valley of the Kings (in western Thebes), ostentation had to be concentrated in their mortuary temples, which rivaled each other in size and magnificence. Although they were designed for the performance of rites connected with the mortuary cult of the builder, they were all dedicated to Amon, the supreme god of Thebes, and had the character and essential form of a New Kingdom temple. They were built in a sequence generally corresponding to a topographic arrangement from north to south. Only traces of most of the earlier ones remain. The most important will be mentioned here
The temple of Hatshepsut (reigned 1472–58 bc) at Dayr al-Bahrī is the earliest large 18th-dynasty structure to survive and one of the most impressive. There in the bay of cliffs, next to the pyramid-temple of Mentuhotep II, the queen’s architect Senenmut designed (c. 1473) a series of colonnades and courts on three levels. The approach from the valley led through an avenue of sphinxes, and in the forecourt was a garden planted with trees and vines. On either side of the sloping ramp leading to the next level, against the terrace face, was a gallery whose roof was supported on a double row of columns; a similar gallery ran along the westward side of the court on the next level, with side chapels dedicated to Anubis and Hathor. The top terrace contained a hall of columns, with further chapels on either side and a sanctuary dug into the cliff behind. Many of the surviving series of reliefs in the colonnades and chapels are of great beauty and considerable interest: one depicts the transport of two obelisks by barge from Aswān to Karnak, another the divine marriage of Queen Ahmes with the god Amon and the resultant miraculous birth of Hatshepsut herself, and a third the maritime trading expedition sent by the queen to Punt, the land of incense on the Red Sea. The mortuary temple of Amenhotep III (reigned 1390–53 bc) must have been the largest and most splendid of all the Theban temples. It was, however, almost completely demolished by later pharaohs, and all that is left today are a few foundations, a huge stela 33 feet (10 metres) high, and the two great statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, which once flanked the gateway in front of the temple pylon but now sit like lonely sentinels in the middle of a field. The statues represent Amenhotep III but the name Memnon is of (later) Greek origin; with their crowns the statues were about 70 feet (21 metres) high, each hewn from a single block of stone.

The northern one, after cracking in an earthquake, was the “singing Memnon” celebrated in classical times because on certain days, shortly after sunrise, it emitted a curious high note; numerous Roman tourists, including the emperor Hadrian (reigned ad 117–138bce and his wife Sabina, came to Thebes to hear this marvel, but in the reign of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (193–211) the statue was patched with masonry and never “sang” again.
The temple of Seti I (reigned 1290–79 bc) at Al-Qurnah survives only in part, the forecourt and pylons having disappeared. It was dedicated in part to Ramses I, the father of Seti, and was completed by Seti’s son Ramses II (reigned 1279–13), who figures in the reliefs. The walls are decorated with scenes of purely religious content in which the pharaohs make offerings to various gods or are favoured by them
The Ramesseum, or mortuary temple of Ramses II the Great, though much ruined, retains some of its ancient grandeur. The wide outer pylon is decorated with vigorous scenes of the king’s wars against the Hittites in Syria, and the inner pylon has episodes from the Battle of Kadesh (1275) and scenes from the festival of the harvest god, Min. Tall figures of the king in the guise of Osiris decorate the pillars of the inner court. In the first court stood a seated colossus of Ramses II; only fragments of it are left, but enough to show that it was of enormous size. It must have been more than 55 feet (17 metres) high and weighed about 1,000 tons. The hypostyle hall beyond the second court is similar in design to that of the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak; beyond were further pillared halls and a sanctuary that has now disappeared. Around the temple, within the high brick enclosure wall, are very extensive remains of vaulted buildings that must have been magazines (storehouses), stables, workshops, and houses belonging to the temple staff. The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus (fl. 1st century bcbce described the Ramesseum under the name of “the Tomb of Ozymandias.”
The temple of Ramses III (reigned 1187–56) at Madīnat Habu is the latest and most southerly of the great New Kingdom mortuary temples. The general plan was modeled on that of the Ramesseum: a wide front pylon, outer and inner peristyle courts separated by a second pylon, a large pillared hall and two smaller vestibules, and the sanctuary surrounded by smaller rooms. The hypostyle hall is partly ruined, the pillars having been dismantled to the level of the first or second drums, but the temple is otherwise well preserved. Scenes carved on the walls of the inner halls show the king performing acts of worship before the gods. There are also scenes of battle in which the king in his chariot mows down the Libyans, attacks an Amorite city, and leads Libyans, Asians, and sea raiders as prisoners before Amon and Mut. On the external wall of the temple, a great sea battle between Egyptians and the Peleset (Philistines) and other Sea Peoples is depicted with much lively detail. Another outstanding relief is that on the outer face of the great pylon, which shows the pharaoh hunting wild cattle in a reed-covered, marshy landscape. Adjoining the temple are the remains of a palace. The high gate in the eastern side of the perimeter wall of the temple area is battlemented like a fortress. Within the precinct are other, smaller temples: one dates from the reign during the 15th century bc of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III but was altered and added to in various reigns and during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. There are also several mortuary chapels, a sacred lake, a well, and remains, as in the Ramesseum, of houses and vaulted magazines built of mud brick.
South of the temple of Madīnat Habu stand the ruins of what must have been one of the finest buildings in western Thebes: the palace of King Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy at Malkata. It is in fact four palaces, one of which was occupied by Tiy. There was also a vast artificial lake, still traceable by a line of mounds to the southeast of Malkata, which may have been a harbour for shipping connected with the Nile.
The limestone foothills that lie parallel to the river and about 3 miles (5 km) away from it are honeycombed for a distance of more than 2 miles (3 km) with the Tombs of the Nobles, mainly of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties. The usual plan of these tombs included a forecourt, a transverse chamber, a long, corridor-like room, and, at the end, a chapel containing statues of the deceased and his family, in the floor of which a shaft or passage ran down to the burial chamber. After the funeral the shaft was filled in, but the chapel and anterooms were kept open and visited by the family of the tomb owner. Near the villages of Dira ʿAbū al-Negaʾ al-Asasif, Al-Khū khah Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qurnah, Dayr al-Madīnah, and Qurnat Muraʾi, several hundred tomb-chapels are still open to view. The walls are decorated with mural paintings, many of them wonderfully fresh and full of vivid interest, depicting the daily occupations of the ancient Egyptians. The dead are shown, in the outer rooms of these tombs, inspecting the workmen on their estates or in their hours of leisure hunting birds in the marshes or game in the desert, listening to music, or playing checkers with their wives. In the infinite variety of these homely scenes, the whole cycle of the farmer’s year, from plowing to harvest, is depicted; sculptors, metalworkers, weavers, and brickmakers ply their trades; and butchers, brewers, and cooks prepare food for the deceased’s table. The treasurer goes on his rounds of inspection, and the vizier receives foreign envoys to the pharaoh’s court. The merry patterns on the roofs derive from those in houses of the period. In the inner chapels fewer secular scenes are found. The funeral ritual is usually depicted: the cortège crossing the Nile, the ceremony of “Opening the Mouth” by the tomb door, the funerary feast; while in the innermost chamber there are representations of the deceased man and his wife in the company of Osiris and other gods undergoing the ordeal of judgment known as the “weighing of the heart” or being given nourishment by the goddess in the sacred sycamore. In the tombs of the late New Kingdom, purely religious scenes predominate.

In ancient Egypt there were other great cities, but none that has left so great a legacy to posterity. The great temples of Thebes with their historical scenes and inscriptions, the tombs with their wealth of illustration of daily life and religious belief, and the countless antiquities that now fill the museums and private collections of the world, are all aspects of that legacy. Few other sites have contributed more to the store of knowledge about early civilizations than that of ancient Thebes.

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Welcome To Villa Al Diwan
This is our personalized invitation we extending to all our guests. Luxor is an old land, deeply marked by the time and the people who have lived here, leaving a unique legacy of art, culture and traditions. Dip into our traditions and experience our lifestyle. Take advantage of a holiday in Luxor and take home an unforgettable experience.
We have built Villa Al Diwan as if we are going to live in it ourselves, following the philosophy of Hasan Fathy. In this way it very different from any tourist accommodation, planned as a business venture. Our policy assures our guests of a high standard of quality, care for details and efficient, reliable service. We are committed to making your holiday as pleasant as possible. We aim to find the best solution to meet your needs and to realize your every expectation. We always go the “extra mile,” to make your experience and stay in Villa Al Diwan unforgettable.
Our life centers on hospitality and this affects every aspect of our business. We don't have customers or clients, but rather guests and friends. It’s our privilege and pleasure to look after our guests. We are passionate about making our guests feel special and creating a friendly environment for them, at all times.
We believe in the direct relationship between the owner and the guest. Even more importantly, we believe in the friendship that develops from the first contact by e-mail many months pre-ceding the meeting of our guests, in person. The direct relationship with our guests, without any tour operator or travel agent, allows us to promise you the best balance between price and quality, faster responses to your requests and reservations and clear, reliable communications. Without any intermediary we are free to concentrate on meeting the needs of our guests and to guarantee the maximum care of your vacation home.

Accommodation
Villa Al Diwan Your Home Away From Home
"Al-Diwan" in our local dialect and village tradition means ''a coming together'' or "a gathering place". We hope that you will consider the villa your home during your stay and that here in La-Galta village; you will come to know the real Egypt. Villa Al Diwan is an architectural master achievement. Combining contemporary comfort, and oriental refinement. You will reside in an enchanting environment. Villa Al Diwan, is one of the most beautiful villas of Luxor and opens its doors to a few privileged. Consider yourself one! We have built Villa Al Diwan as if we were going to reside in it ourselves, maintaining the philosophy of Hasan Fathy. In this way, it is different from any tourist accommodation, you may have experienced. Our policy assures our guests of a high standard of quality, care for details and efficient, reliable service.
The Villa is located just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of Luxor city, in the quiet La Galta village, at the edge of the Western banks of the Nile in Luxor.
Villa Al Diwan has a direct view of the Nile River; from the terrace of the villa one has a beautiful view over the Nile valley, the Theban Mountains, the green fields, and the natural life around the villa. Our geographic position is absolutely exceptional. We are close to the Theban Necropolis, the world-wide and renowned cultural center, with just the Nile River separating us from the bustling town of Luxor, which makes Al Diwan easily accessible. This exceptional five bedroom Villa is available for vacation rental, all year around. The Villa, can exclusively be reserved for you. The 5 rooms of the Villa can accommodate 10 people, in exceptional comfort. On the first floor there are five air-conditioned bedrooms - two with king sized beds and the other three with twin single beds. The main bedrooms at the front of the property have terraces overlooking the Nile. The master bedroom (one of the terraced rooms) also has an en-suite shower-room. There are also two additional bathrooms on this floor, to be shared by the other 4 rooms. Every room of the villa has either a domed or a vaulted ceiling. The ground level comprises of : a dining room, open views of the river Nile from a well appointed ground-level terrace, a snug area with chimney (for the winter nights of course!) a comfortable sitting area, a kitchen, a bathroom, a storage room and an office, which opens out onto the terrace-garden. Up on the large panoramic roof terrace, overlooking the Nile and the surrounding countryside, the views are simply spectacular and breathtaking!
WE ARE PROUD TO BE HERE AT YOUR SERVICE. We are opening our world to you!
Villa Location
How to reach Villa Al Diwan?
Our geographic position is absolutely exceptional: we are close to the Theban Necropolis, the world-wide, renowned cultural centre, just a 3km distance from the city center, if you travel via boat. 5km, if you cross the river via taxi, or 15km, if you cross Luxor bridge to the West bank. See the maps to know where we are situated. We always take care of our guests once they arrive at Luxor (we can arrange for meeting of our guests, at any port in Egypt). Just correspond to us with the detailed dates of your arrival and we shall arrange it for your convenience. If you want to find Villa Al Diwan yourself, enclosed are details as to how you are able to reach us:
Across the Nile:
You can take the local ferry from Luxor Corniche, to West Bank. The ferry crosses the river constantly, until late in the evening, when it becomes less frequent. You can also cross the river by private motor boat (Captain Omar is always ready to be of assistance!). There are ample taxis waiting at the ferry terminal, to take visitors around the monuments, so you can ask any one of them, to take you to La Galta Village, Villa Al Diwan. Or you can go to the local taxi stop and take the one that goes to La Galta village (south direction).
By Road:
You can take a taxi from Luxor, which will take the lengthy route across the new Nile Bridge (7km south of the city). As soon as the taxi has left the bridge, it will take a right turn, after 4km you will reach La Galta Village. Then you will head towards the river. You will find us, just to the north of the terminal of the local ferry.
Bicycles can be hired in Luxor or at Al-Gezira villa, on the West Bank. 1km after leaving Al-Gezira, take the first road to your left. Continue for another 4km, until you reach La Galta village.
Once you are sure that you are in La Galta village, then look for the Nile River and try to find the local ferry boat there, we are located close to it – approximately a few meters, on the north.
Our Services
We have built Villa Al Diwan with the concept of a home away from home, this way it ensures a different type of tourist accommodation facility, as normally expected. Our policy assures our guests of a high standard of quality, care for details and efficient, reliable service.
We are committed to making your holiday as pleasant and hassle free, as possible. We aim to find the best solution to meet your needs and to meet your every expectation. We maintain going the extra mile, to make your stay in Villa Al Diwan unforgettable!

The staff will do their best to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. At your disposal during your stay, we have a house-manager (Edris) to satisfy your every request.
A cook (optional upon request) shall provide you with sumptuous traditional Egyptian dining.

To conserve water and energy, the staff will provide clean sheets and towels only every second day. Please request by management, if you require more frequent services.

You may wish to have breakfast, dinner or lunch on the ground floor terrace overlooking the river, or even on the floor terrace. Notify Edris before he sets the table.

Each bedroom has an air conditioning unit that will heat and cool the room. Instruction sheets are available.

Feel free to use the washing machine in the west. Bathrooms are located on the upper floor and soap is provided.

There is a laundry drying rack on the roof and an iron and ironing board on the ground floor.

The staff can arrange laundry service for you, if you would prefer.

For your total peace of mind we also provide the service of a guard and a gardener, as well as domestic help, to ensure your stay is as comfortable and safe as possible, putting your mind at ease to focus on enjoying your vacation.

Our driver will be there if you may be in need of private transportation facilities.

Omar is the captain of the motorboat ''Cataract'' and his services shall be required if you need water transport, to go to the city or when you need to enjoy your time across the Nile River.

We meet our guests upon arrival at most airports in Egypt and can arrange transfer to the villa, for your convenience.

We will be happy to arrange guided tours in Luxor area and further a field.

Our guides are Egyptologists and they will assist you with guided tours, for an unforgettable trip.
We would welcome any suggestions on how we can improve our services. We aim to please and assist, in making your vacation fun and memorable!
Have an enjoyable stay at Villa Al Diwan!
Our policy assures our guests of a high standard of quality, care for details and efficient, reliable service.

Rates & Booking

Villa Aldiwan weekly rental rates
From 1st May to 30th September
700 € / week

From 1st October to 30th April
900 € / week

New year, Easter and Christmas
1000 € / week

1-Above prices include: linens, bath towels, housekeeping, electricity & daily cleaning,water, electricity, gas and taxes. and it doesn`t include meals.

2-Additional services are available upon request, such as Breakfast ,lunch or dinner, and are to be paid separately.

Before Booking, please read our terms and conditions carefully:

1-A deposit of 20% of the total costs should be paid by money transfer, to confirm your booking. Transfer options include, but are not limited to, Western Union and bank drafts. The remaining payment due for the entire stay is to be paid upon arrival.

2-We accept payment in many different currencies, such as UK pounds, US $, Euro or Egyptian pounds. See currency converter

3-Rates for longer periods of stay are calculated individually, in accordance to length of stay, time of the year and amount of occupants.

4-Minimum stay in Villa Al Diwan is 3 nights, when available. Check Availability (This link opens with new Windows format)

5- Al Diwan is a drug free resort and strictly does not allow the use of drugs on the premises, which is in accordance with Egyptian laws and regulations.

6- For additional information concerning our villa or the surrounding area, please contact us via e-mail and we shall reply at our earliest convenience.
For reservations or more information please contact us at: info.aldiwan@gmail.com or villaluxor@gmail.com

Contact Us
We pride ourselves on our excellent level of service. We are a small business concern and take great pride in offering you the visitor, "the personal touch ", often lacking with larger companies and resorts. For booking and additional information, concerning our villa or travel services, please contact us via e-mail or call us directly and we shall reply at our earliest convenience. We shall gladly meet you in person, if you are in Luxor.
Luxor for Tourism Development & International Trade Ltd. Mr. Alaa Aly Taie

57 Ahmed Esmat St. off TV. Str

Telefax: +2 095 2364852

Mobile: +2 0101601214

E-mail: info.aldiwan@gmail.com

About Us
Who are we?
We are a Franco-Egyptian Limited company, specialized in tourism development, Real Estate Marketing and Management & Consultation Services. Our commercial name is ''Luxor for Tourism Development & International Trade Ltd.'' and registered under Licence N° 11237- 23/05/2004. The company Director is also one of the partners, Mr. Alaa Taie, who has experience in the tourism and real estate market in Luxor, for several years. He is able and willing to answer all enquiries, in both English and French. We pride ourselves in our excellent level of service. We are a small business and take great satisfaction in offering you the guest, personalized service, often lacking with larger companies and resorts. We have a small team of conscientious, trustworthy and dedicated staff, who aim to ensure security & comfort for our guests. Luxor Development, works directly with the owners and do not use any intermediary or middle man. This system allows us to offer true and affordable prices to our guests.

How we serve you?
1) Real estate service (legal consultation- constructing / finishing departments- property management) 2) We can assist you to find your dream home, here in Luxor or Aswan.
3) Our legal department will secure your side, by checking the Property documents, making sure if it is legally permitted or not, before we sell any property to you.
4) We can assist you with an extended stay visa, enabling you to buy and reside in Egypt.
5) We are ready to help you with property insurance, to cover yourself from any problems that could arise with your property.
6) We assist in furnishing and decorating your property according to the style and décor that you prefer, as we have our professional staff, who shall assist you to finalize the necessities of your property, in the accordance with the best standard, in a very short period and maintaining a very reasonable cost.
7) We offer maintenance and after sale service for your property (security-cleaning-maintenance).
8) We can assist you with the management of the rental of your property, whilst you are not in the country. This guarantees that you benefit from your property, in a very secure manner. You can manage it from your home destination and we are here to take care of your property and guest, in your absence.
9) We keep you updated with all the new trends, concerning the Real estate field in Egypt, if you are interested in that field for future business development.
Here are some of added services offered:
Legal Service
A reputable lawyer is a vital & integral part of buying an overseas property. We constantly work with legal experts from throughout Egypt and we would be more than capable and happy to refer you to someone.
Foreign Bank Accounts
Should you require a foreign bank account, we can assist with this service. This can be done either during your visit, via your lawyer or directly with the bank, by post.
Local Knowledge & Further Information
If you would like any other information or advice on local schools, leisure facilities, good restaurants &/or further information that you may require, we will do our best to find you the right answers and shall reply at our earliest convenience with response to your concerns.

Why Visit Luxor?
Travel to Luxor and you will know why it is one of Egypt's great tourist attractions. It is also commonly known as the world's largest open air museum. Tourists have been visiting the area since the Greco-Roman times, so you won't be the first! There are so many splendid temples and monuments to visit.
Luxor is an obligatory stop for the first time cultural tourist to Egypt and for many repeat visitors. A second attraction is the natural beauty of the Theban Mountains and the Nile River, which offer outstanding scenery for all types of tourists. A third attraction is the local village life present in the Luxor and throughout the river valley, relevant for the cultural tourist. This beauty is not at all unique to Luxor as it is found throughout the Nile river valley and in many of the country's Oases. Finally, a fourth attraction is the mild, dry sunny weather of the region for most of the year particularly in the winter months