You never really realize just how hot Egypt is despite the scorching sun that lights up every single thing in sight. “One or two days a year,” our guide said, indicating how much rainfall the country gets.

I wince in the heat.

“Ridiculous!” was my first thought until a mere five minutes later after we’ve walked from the bus to the entrance of the Karnak Temple that I realized that my feet, which were in sandals were burning pink.

The speed it took for my poor manicured feet to burn surprised me.

“Oh my gosh,” I realized. “It’s really hot in here!”

I spent the rest of our tour in the Karnak temple trying to ensure my feet were under the restful eye of the umbrella. Though the sites were by themselves beautiful, I loathed to remove myself from the umbrella’s protection and take a photo with me in them. “Hot hot hot” were my thoughts. 

There were no women really where we went today, making me feel that Egypt was actually a male dominated society. “Won’t Trader love this?” I thought to myself.

The Karnak is said to be the largest temple in the entire Egypt that glorified the Egyptian god, Amun Rah or their sun god. Multiple dynasties and pharaohs built upon this complex and the Hypostyle Hall in the Precinct of Amun-RE has a hall area of 50,000 square feet (that’s my house in Hong Kong multiplied by a 100), with 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows.

 
Diameter was over three meters and 122 of these columns are 10 meters tall and the rest are 21 meters tall. It was said that these are some of the existing wonders of the ancient world. I agreed. Though hot, the open-aired temple was beautiful.

The structure also houses the largest heaviest obelisk in all of Egypt. It weighs 328 tonnes and stands 29 meters tall.

Lunch was in a Caspian restaurant with dishes filled with cold salads, a kebab and tomato pasta, nothing totally impressive if you’re used to the Mediterranean food back home.

An almost four hour bus ride takes us to the Nile River where we board the boat, where we are to stay for three days.

Water is essential here. A big bottle costs me 4 LE each but they’re worth every drop.

By the time we were done with Karnak, I was almost done with my small bottle of water. It’s true what they say, you really have to be hydrated here if you are to maintain a comfortable trip.

Egypt is beautiful yet uncomfortable to go to. Really hope that the trip goes better.