November 15 - On to Dendara

This is one of the best temples in Egypt for being able to see colour close to the original intention.  There has been quite a bit of careful restoration done in recent years,and I can see how much has been achieved just in the past four years.

This temple is dedicated to Hathor, wife of Horus and goddess of joy, love, and motherhood.

Here is Horus keeping an eye on things from this ceiling.

One of the absolute best things about this temple is the hidden crypt you can go down into if you are sufficiently agile, and the Guardians are feeling sufficiently benevolent.  My guide was able to ensure a sufficient level of benevolence with some folding green, and I was able to fold sufficiently to make it down the steep stair and narrow passageway.  the crypt is a long, narrow chamber with the most beautiful and intricate painted relief carving.

The clour here does no justice to the original, as the light is rather iffy down there, and flash is out of the question.  The original purpose of the crypt is not known, but it is believed to have probably been a place for serious mediation for priests advancing to higher levels of the priesthood.

and lastly, on the back wall:

The only know images of Cleopatra and her son Caeserion (She is on the right, he is the small figure in the middle, wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt,

And so, back to Luxor - on the back roads, making great time.