Sorry for the delay in posting. Our boat had internet issues that it took them several days to resolve. It was just our boat and nothing to do with what is happening in the Middle East right now although the timing is suspect. I would be more skeptical if I had not heard the general manager on the phone with IT trying to resolve it. I had images of him being on the phone with India who would ask him if he re-booted the server:). Whatever it was it got resolved this am.

February 27th, 2026

We had a nice leisurely morning on board the boat. We were still up early because we had gone to bed early due to the early morning departure from Cairo. Since the hot air balloon ride was canceled that gave us some time. We had breakfast and then went up to the top deck to watch us sail down the nile. It was another beautiful day and with the breeze on the top deck it was cool.

We passed lots of field workers and everyone waved hello.

This boat has a pool, not that it will get warm enough for anyone to get in it. But it is a nice size pool.

We hung out on the loungers and read for a bit and I walked around taking pictures and then we went to the lecture that our Egyptologist was giving on the Nile. Unfortunately it was more like a lecture from college and not very interesting so I won’t make that mistake again. Then it was lunch and we arrived at Qena and docked up next to another Viking ship. The only reason to come all to this part of Egypt is the Temple of Dendera. This is a Temple dedicated to the God Hathor. She is associated with music, dance and motherhood and helped women give birth. She is also know as lady of the sky. Her temple is one of the best preserved.

The temple from a distance.

The gates to enter the Temple and the moon rise over the ruins.

The Romans were also here and added to the Temple so we see the Roman architect in the columns.

The entire building, inside and out, floor to ceiling, and the ceiling, is covered in hieroglyphics. The one on the right depicts Cleopatra. You can tell by the head.

A lot of the carvings have been destroyed by the Christians when they came but a lot are still in great condition and tell the story of ancient times. The temple is also built on top of another temple and dats back to between 30BC and 14AD. They showed us the top of several columns buried in the earth after they moved some of the stones on the floor. They have not even begun to excavate yet for fear of damaging the temple on top.

This perfectly round stone wheel was found on the wall going around the temple.

We spent a couple of hours walking around and there was even a narrow passage between the walls that took you up to the roof.

Even on the corridors going to the top of the temple all the walls are covered with hieroglyphs.

The ceilings and the tops of the columns.

We then went back to the ship and got ready for dinner. After dinner we went back to our room to watch some TV.

When we get back to the boat today I will post the last few days so you will get a few posts in a row.