The Exciting Pyramids of Egypt by David H. Urmann

The amazing pyramids in Egypt are considered as the largest and most fascinating structures ever constructed. Most of these pyramids were actually built in the Middle and Old periods of Kingdoms in Egypt.
The amazing pyramids in Egypt are considered as the largest and most fascinating structures ever constructed. They constitute one amongst the most enduring and potent symbols of the ancient civilization of Egypt. Most of these pyramids were actually built in the Middle and Old periods of Kingdoms in Egypt.

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Taking the kids: Family fun at national parks

By Eileen Ogintz

Organized national park tours take the stress out of planning a family vacation.

That was 17-year-old Stephanie Little's reaction to her family's vacation plans to head to Yosemite National Park. "She's really kind of a beach bum," explained her mom, Michelle Little from their Oklahoma home.
Anyone who has toured the national parks with their kids -- and that includes me -- knows that despite the spectacular scenery (to grown-ups anyway), the up-close encounters with wildlife (put down that video game and look at that moose!) and the invigorating hikes (how much longer?), there are still the inevitable travails of traveling with children.

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Are timeshares worthwhile?

(AP) -- Question: I'm thinking about buying a timeshare. Would it be a worthwhile investment?

People often buy a timeshare and never use it, according to the author of "Timeshare Vacations for Dummies."

Answer: Timeshares can bring their owners substantial savings in time and money when planning vacations, but experts warn that they should never be viewed as a financial or real estate investment.
Timeshares are typically resort condominium units that multiple parties have the right to use, generally by the week, and are an alternative for people who don't want to rent and can't afford to own a vacation home or condo outright. The timeshare system also allows owners to trade weeks at a property with timeshare owners elsewhere.

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Taking the kids -- and keeping them safe

By Eileen Ogintz
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) -- It's never going to happen to you, right?

You're never going to be that hapless parent in the ER someplace far from home with a badly sunburned child (as happened to me in Hawaii), or one who has hit her head falling off a bike, broken his wrist on the playground or swallowed Dramamine from the glove compartment (yes that was me too) or worse.

A lot worse. Every day this summer, 17 children will die from unintentional, but mostly preventable, accidents reports Safe Kids Worldwide, www.safekids.org, a not-for-profit organization charged with reducing childhood injury. Forty-one percent of accidental deaths for children occur during the summer months. Kids will be rushed to emergency rooms nearly 3 million times this summer from car crashes, bike accidents, falls, drowning, ATV accidents and more. Experts believe many accidents happen on vacation.

"Parents may be distracted by the fun of a trip and have a tendency to not be as vigilant," says Dr. Denise Dowd, associate professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, and a spokesman for the Academy of Pediatrics. (Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics Website at www.aap.org for summer safety tips.)

Whether on vacation with the kids or enjoying the summer at home, you can't let down your guard -- even for a moment, says Alan Korn, director of Public Policy and General Counsel for Safe Kids Worldwide.

All of us shuddered at the news that 4-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing from a Portuguese resort condo in May. Her parents, both physicians, were eating dinner 50 yards away, returning to check on Madeleine and her younger siblings often. The hunt for Madeleine continues.

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But even that benign visit to grandma's can prove dangerous if the house hasn't been child proofed, says Dowd. "Bring your own portable crib rather than using one at a hotel or a relative's house that is who-knows-how-many years old," Korn adds, along with your own crib sheets. Those that are too large can be a hazard to a baby.

Get your baby's safety seat checked before you leave to make sure it's installed correctly. According to Korn, four out of five seats the Safe Kids' inspectors check at safety events around the country are not installed correctly. Even worse, children 4 to 8 (40 to 80 pounds) are not sitting in booster seats, though they can reduce the risk of injury by 59 percent. (For more on car safety and information on where you can get your safety seat inspected, visit www.usa.safekids.org or The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration www.nhtsa.dot.gov/)

Even if the kids whine, insist they wear appropriate safety gear -- life jackets on boats, and helmets when doing wheeled sports. The one time 12-year-old Tommy Michalson skateboarded without a helmet -- "on a wide smooth sidewalk," while his family was vacationing from Kansas in Colorado last summer he fell and suffered a head injury so severe he died 13 hours later. The anniversary of his death is this month.

"Our message and hope is that parents make sure that helmets are worn EVERY time their child participates in a wheeled sport, even if it is just on the driveway or a sidewalk," Cheryl Michalson, Tommy's mom, said at a Washington, D.C., safety event recently.

"Most people don't realize that injury -- not cancer, nor any other illness -- is the number one killer of children in this country," says Safe Kids' Alan Korn. Significantly more of these injuries happen in summer than any other time of the year, he explains, because kids -- and their parents -- are outside doing activities that while fun, can present risks, whether at a skateboard park, a hiking trail, a pool or a beach.

Be especially careful near water. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages 1 to 14, according to Safe Kids. Sixty-four percent of all children's drowning deaths occur during the summer. And it's not just babies who get into trouble. Insist older kids and teens swim with a buddy. "Drowning can happen so quickly," says Dr. Dowd.

Even 17 years later, Stew and Kim Leonard can't believe how quickly. One minute 21-month-old Stewie Leonard was helping his dad put up balloons for his sister's birthday party at a rented vacation house in the Caribbean; the next minute he was gone. Leonard thought his son had wandered into the kitchen where his wife was; she thought the toddler was with her husband.

By the time they found him in the pool a few minutes later -- a balloon floating nearby -- it was too late. At least half a dozen adults were around the pool at the time but no one noticed. Nearly nine in 10 drowning-related deaths occur while a child is being supervised "Just talking about it I feel a lump in my stomach," Leonard, the scion of a prominent Connecticut family, says. "Your eyes have to be glued on your child."

To promote water safety, The Leonards established the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation and, with the help of their four daughters, have written "Swimming Lessons with Stewie the Duck," and "Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim"(available with a CD for $4.95 from www.stewleonards.com. All proceeds go to the foundation; a Spanish edition will be out this summer.)

Worldwide Safe Kids suggests parents download a Water Watcher Card from www.usa.safekids.org: While you've got the card, you are responsible for watching the kids in the water. You're not to talk on the phone, read, or grab a beer until you've handed over the card to another adult, says Korn, noting that drowning doesn't happen like in the movies. "Nobody screams or thrashes. A child goes under and that's it."

"We want kids to have fun," he says, "But on vacation, you've got to keep being a parent." E-mail to a friend

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)

Copyright 2007 EILEEN OGINTZ, DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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A canceled flight, but no refund

By Christopher Elliott

Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) -- It's been two years since Niel Bratteli bought a roundtrip plane ticket from Dallas to Boston for his son. The airline, ATA, stopped flying from Boston to Dallas and his online travel agency, Travelocity, promised Bratteli a refund. But countless calls and e-mails later, there's no sign of the money. What's wrong?

Q: I don't know if this is a lost cause, because it happened more than two years ago. But I thought I'd ask. We booked a roundtrip ticket for our son to fly from Dallas to Boston through Travelocity on ATA Airlines in July 2005.

His outbound flight was in September and his return would have been in December. But that fall, ATA discontinued its Boston-Dallas route and canceled the return ticket.

After many e-mails and hours on the phone, Travelocity told us that it was up to the airline to process the refund, but that the money would be refunded to Travelocity, which would then credit us.

We have since received many promises that the refund was on the way, both by phone and e-mail. But we still don't have the refund. We inquired about it again last week, to which we received a form letter saying our "issue detailed requires further research by our Consumer Relations Department."

Travelocity asked for a copy of the actual billing statement from my card issuer along with my son's trip ID or ticket numbers. "Once received, we will be able to investigate and will contact you directly," they assured us.

Our e-mail included all past messages from them, which had the original confirmation and price of the ticket ($276). What should we do?

-- Niel Bratteli, Paris, Texas

A: I think you've already done enough. It's time for ATA and Travelocity to return your money. Now.

Under ATA's rules, also known as its contract of carriage, you're entitled to an immediate refund of the unused fare. (You can find the relevant portions in rules 135 and 260). There is no mention of a two-year waiting period, as far as I can tell.

Travelocity didn't live up to its promises, either. Its much-publicized "Travelocity Guarantee" leaves you with the impression that this should have been handled much differently. "If we learn of an issue from any of our partners or customers that might make your trip less enjoyable -- like hotel construction, a hurricane, or an airport closure -- we'll contact you before your trip and help make other arrangements," it says.

As I review the account of your son's flight, it seems you weren't contacted, you weren't offered an alternate flight, and Travelocity simply kept your money. That's disappointing.

I think you could have gotten a better answer from Travelocity, if not ATA. I list customer service contacts on my Web site to whom you could have appealed your case. Working the phones on a refund request doesn't make much sense. Everything needs to be in writing.

Of course, that's no guarantee that you won't get caught in a form-letter loop. When I contacted Travelocity on your behalf, it also asked me for your reservation number, even though I had already included it in your file. I guess they wanted to be sure.

After I re-sent your son's reservation information, a Travelocity representative contacted you and apologized for the delay, adding, "This is not our usual customer service."

I think that goes without saying. A check for $119, which covers the return portion of your son's flight, is in the mail.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. E-mail him at celliott@ngs.org.

Copyright 2007 CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT, DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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No place to park -- or sleep

By Christopher Elliott
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) -- Sandra Ferguson makes a reservation at a San Jose, California, hotel through ParkSleepFly.com. But when she tries to check in, the hotel has never heard of her. Does ParkSleepFly.com owe her a refund for the $180 she has to spend for long-term parking?

Q: I recently reserved a hotel room through ParkSleepFly.com, which offers hotel and parking packages near airports. Or so I thought. When I tried to check in at the Ramada Limited in Santa Clara, California, I discovered they had no reservation in my name.

I left my car at the long-term parking lot at the San Jose airport and phoned Ramada to see if I could get this sorted out, but they had no record of my reservation and couldn't help me.

That proved to be a costly mistake. I paid $180 for parking, and ParkSleepFly charged a $13 deposit and $5 transaction fee for a hotel I never got to stay in.

I called ParkSleepFly.com to find out what happened, and a representative refunded $18 and promised to contact Ramada for me. That was more than two months ago. I think ParkSleepFly.com owes me the difference between the potential cost of the motel and the cost of parking. Don't you?

-- Sandra Ferguson, Santa Cruz, California

A: Maybe. If ParkSleepFly.com sent your reservation to Ramada and received a confirmation from the hotel, then it would have done all it could. But if it never reserved your room, then yes, a simple refund of your reservation fee wouldn't cut it.

This is one of the most common -- and easily preventable -- hotel snafus. With all due respect to ParkSleepFly.com and other online travel agencies, your hotel confirmation isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Reservations get lost between a Web site and a hotel, for a variety of reasons.

Phoning the Ramada Limited a day before your arrival would have given ParkSleepFly.com a chance to fix this before you had to pay a $180 bill. But it also makes sense to double-check everything before you leave. I mean, you call your airline to confirm your flight. Why not dial the hotel, just to be safe?

Once you arrived at the hotel and learned you had no reservation, you might have considered hanging out for a while and politely asking for a manager. I realize you were about to catch a flight, and were probably worried about finding a Plan B for parking, but if you had a printout of your confirmation from ParkSleepFly.com, and could have spoken with a supervisor, it's possible that this could have been straightened out quickly.

I contacted ParkSleepFly.com on your behalf to find out what went wrong. You received a personal apology from the company's president, Tom Lombardi, who admitted that the ParkSleepFly.com "dropped the ball" on your reservation. "We have no explanation as to why the reservation did not make it to the Ramada," he said. "All the other ones since we have been working with them were received and honored."

ParkSleepFly.com offered to pay for your next stay at the Ramada in Santa Clara, or any other hotel it features at the San Jose airport.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. E-mail him at celliott@ngs.org.

Copyright 2007 CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT, DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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5 ways to fly for cheap

The deals are still out there, but travel experts say flexibility is key when looking for discount air fares.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Fly cheap while you still can. The money-losing airline industry is raising fares and adding fees as it struggles with record-high fuel prices.

Meanwhile, the weak economy has forced Americans to cut back on costs. Many are opting for "staycations" by choosing not to travel when they have time off.

But experts say there are still plenty of travel deals for those who want or need to get somewhere. "Everyone's saying the fares are going up, but there are still many, many, many cheap tickets," says George Hobica, creator of the travel Web site airfarewatchdog.com.

We asked Hobica and Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons, a magazine on accessible travel, for some tips on how to find them. The bottom line: You can get a cheap fare, but you're going to need to be very flexible.

1. Fly during the slowest days of the week

Tuesday and Wednesday are the slowest flying days of the week for business travel so demand is low, and so are the fares.

"The Monday and Friday flights are more expensive as many business travelers depart on Monday morning and return Friday afternoon," says Harrington. "The best deals are usually found on mid-week mid-day departures. Just ask yourself what flight would be the most unattractive to a business traveler and pick that one."

2. Fly during the slowest time of the year

Travelers who are serious about seeking cheap fares should travel only during the slowest time of year, says Hobica. That rules out holidays, as well as spring, summer and winter.

What's left? Fall. Hobica recommends traveling anytime between Labor Day and Thanksgiving for the best deals.

3. Fly to popular destinations at unpopular times

If you must travel during the summer, seek out destinations that are popular during the winter, says Hobica. Northerners should consider summering in Florida to take advantage of discount flights. But if Orlando in August fails to impress, budget-conscious jetsetters might prefer a Colorado ski town in the off-season.

Harrington suggests being completely flexible about the destination, based on the fare. "Check out the airline Web sites, and see what destinations they have on sale, then build your vacation around that destination," she says.

4. Buy during the cheapest times of the day

Airfares change three times a day as airlines periodically lower prices to fill up flights, and the early bird gets the worm, according to Hobica. "Early morning is the time to buy." he says, recommending that flyers check fares every five hours to try and snag a deal.

On the weekend, the best time to check is early Saturday morning and again at 5 p.m., when the industry is most aggressively trying to fill seats, he says.

5. Buy a travel package, even if you don't need it

Travel sites are brimming with vacation packages offering cut-rate hotel stays and car rentals. But if you're the type to skip over these packages without a glance, then maybe you should give them a closer look, says Hobica.

The packages are sometimes cheaper than the airfare alone, he says, especially for last-minute sales, where the airline is just trying to fill seats. "They're super bargains," he says. "Even if you don't need the rental car, you could just not pick it up, because the airfare is so cheap."

In the drive to reduce costs, airlines will be bidding bon voyage to many of their discount flights, analysts say. Hobica believes cheap airfares will become increasingly hard to find, so enjoy them while you still can.

"It's getting worse, as all these airlines are cutting back on all these routes," he says. "The airlines are finally getting price religion."

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Event Malaysia 2008

"#ffffcc" height="64">1. Gems of the World Date : January 1 - September 30, 2008 Venue : Genting Highlands Resort, Pahang Organiser : Genting - City of Entertainment 2. Terengganu Go Green & Seashutterbug 2008 Date : April 1 - June 30, 2008 Venue : Terengganu Organiser : Terengganu Tourism Action Council 3. Cirque Balagan Style Extravaganza Date :May 2 - June 30, 2008 Venue : Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Organiser : Radius Exhibits & Interiors Sdn Bhd 4. Malaysian Watercolour Society Art Exhibition Date : May 12 - June 8, 2008 Venue : Jiiva Fine Art, Muse Floor, Starhill Gallery Organiser : Jiiva Fine Art 5. Stirring Odissi - The Exhibition Date : May 27 - June 22, 2008 Venue : Galeri Petronas, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur Organiser : Galeri Petronas 6. Global Indian Shopping Festival 2008 Date : May 30 - June 8, 2008 Venue : Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur Organiser : Agenda Suria Communication Sdn Bhd 7. Lun Bawang Festival/Irau Aco Lun Bawang Date : May 31 - June 3, 2008 Venue : Lawas Organiser : Sarawak Lun Bawang Association 8. Traditional Costume and Musical Instrument Exhibition Date : June 4 - 30, 2008 Venue : Monsopiad Cultural Village, Sabah Organiser : Monsopiad Cultural Village 9. Anugerah: Sabating Ev Baron Kampiau Date : June 5 - July 31, 2008 Venue : Sabah Art Gallery, Sabah Organiser : Sabah Art Gallery 10. Remembering Double Six Date : June 6, 2008 Venue : Double Six Monument, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Organiser : Sandakan Municipal Council 11. SGM Sabah Charity Culture Festival 2008 Date : June 6 - 7, 2008 Venue : Sabah Organiser : Persatuan Soka Gakkai Malaysia 12. Sandakan Festival Date : June 7, 2008 Venue : Sandakan, Sabah Organiser : Sandakan Municipal Council 13. Launching of the 4th MAH Environmental Week 2008 Date : June 14, 2008 Venue : Sabah Organiser : Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Sabah / Labuan Chapter 14. Super GT International Series Malaysia Date : June 20 - 22, 2008 Venue : Sepang, Selangor Organiser : Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd 15. Fraser's Hill International Bird Race 2008 Date : June 21 - 22, 2008 Venue : Raub, Pahang Organiser : Fraser's Hill Development Corporation 16. Fiesta San Pedro Date : June 23 - 29, 2008 Venue : Portuguese Settlement, Melaka Organiser : JKKK Portuguese Settlement 17. Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' The Broadway Musical Date : June 24 - July 3, 2008 Venue : Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Organiser : Yvents Sdn Bhd 18. Borneo Cultural Festival Date : June 27 - July 5, 2008 Venue : Sibu, Sarawak Organiser : -

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Enjoy Your Time Watching Egypt

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Langkawi Legends & Folklore

Langkawi Legends & Folklore
Makam Mahsuri, Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls

Langkawi’s legends are often spoken of to visitors; part of the allure of the island is the mystery and fantastic tales spun around different places. Ironically, it was these beliefs that seemed to have held back Langkawi’s economic growth for some time.


Today, the people have embraced development, becoming more advanced in both their infrastructure and mindset as a result. The ancient stories of Langkawi, however, have not ceased to exist. Instead, these legends have become part of the attraction to draw visitors to help shape Langkawi’s landscape through tourist revenue.

Living standards of local people have improved, and it is remarkable to note how much the island has changed by becoming a successful commercial centre.

Probably the most famous tale from Langkawi is that of a woman who was accused of adultery 200 years ago. She was tied to a tree and stabbed to death despite her pleas of innocence. The story goes on to say that she bled white blood, and proceeded to curse the island for seven generations. Back then, the people of Langkawi held on to this account of Mahsuri as the reason for Langkawi’s lack of growth.

Looking at Langkawi today, the ‘curse’ was clearly broken, since the island is now a fantastic hub of activity. Still, the legend of Mahsuri makes for great stories and a tomb claimed to be hers is located in Kuab, aptly named Makam Mahsuri.

Some landmarks in Langkawi are named directly or have some claim from a fable. For example, Kuah Town has its own story to tell; the explanation of why its name means gravy in Malay.

Then there are even horror stories of a mythical vampire creature that resides in a cave on the Dayang Bunting Island.

Barren women who bathe in the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls can become fertile, because of a fairy that used to frequent it.

Padang Matsirat is not only home to Langkawi’s airport but also known as the ‘field of burning rice’.

These stories provide a touch of flavour and colour to Langkawi’s culture and image as a premier tourist destination. Year after year, visitors from all around the world marvel at these tales while enjoying their sun-soaked holidays.

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL, is the capital of Malaysia. Literally meaning "muddy estuary" in Malay, KL has grown from a small sleepy village to a bustling metropolis (population 6.9 million) in just 150 years. With some interesting sights, the world's cheapest five-star hotels, great shopping and even better food, increasing numbers of travelers are discovering this gem of a city.

Getting to Know Kuala Lumpur

Located on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur lies at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers. KL is a fairly sprawling city with residential suburbs that seem to go on forever. The adjacent towns of Petaling Jaya (originally developed as KL's dormitory suburb), Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang and Port Klang, have merged with KL to create a huge metropolis called the Klang Valley.

Weather

Protected by the Titiwangsa mountains in the east and the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the west, Kuala Lumpur has a year-round equatorial climate which is warm and sunny. Rainfall is plentiful-usually more than 93 inches a year-and especially heavy during the southwest monsoon from September to April. Temperatures tend to remain constant. Maximums hover between 88°-99°F and have never exceeded 99°F, while minimums hover between 71-74°F and have never fallen below 66°F.

People

Kuala Lumpur has a mix of different cultures. Unlike the whole of Malaysia, where Malays comprise the ethnic majority, the majority of Kuala Lumpur residents are Chinese. Additional major ethnic groups represented include Indians, Eurasians, as well as other indigenous races from East Malaysia and the Malaysian peninsula.

Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the official language but English is widely spoken in the city, especially in business and tourism, and is a required subject in all schools. Malays form the bulk of the members of parliament and dominate the political scene in Malaysia.

A Malay woman being prepared for her wedding (flickr user buntalshoot)

In the late 18th century, with Europe in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, large groups of Chinese from Fujian and Guangdong in southern China were brought to Malaysia (then called Malaya) to work in the booming tin mining industry. The Chinese in Kuala Lumpur mostly speak Cantonese with some speaking the Hakka dialect. Like all residents, the Chinese have benefited from Kuala Lumpur's excellent public school system and can communicate in English and Bahasa Malaysia as well as Mandarin.

Indians formed 10% of the population in Kuala Lumpur in 2000. First brought in by the British during their colonization of Malaysia, most Indians practice Hinduism and speak Tamil or Hindi and English. The majority of their customs and traditions are intricately tied with their religion. Hence, during the Hindu festivals such as Deepavali, Indians perform colorful rites and visit temples.

In the Thaipusam festival, devout Hindus skewer portable shrines to their bodies and carry them all the way from central KL to the Batu Caves--a distance of about 8 miles

The city has many places of worship catering to the diverse religious population. Islam is practiced primarily by the Malays and the Indian Muslim communities while other religions present in KL include Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism (mainly among Chinese), Hinduism (among Indians) and Christianity.

With the rapid growth of the economy in Kuala Lumpur and across Malaysia, a large number of foreign workers from Indonesia, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam and China have also emigrated to Malaysia, adding to the cultural and linguistic stew.

History

Founded only in 1857 as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and lacks the rich history of Georgetown or Malacca. After rough early years marked by gang fighting, Kuala Lumpur started to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896. Malaysia's independence from Britain was declared in 1957 in front of huge crowds at what was later named Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), and Kuala Lumpur continued as the new nation's capital. The economic boom of the 1990s brought KL the standard trappings of a modern city, including towering skyscrapers and efficient transportation systems.

Things to See and Do

Although Kuala Lumpur boasts some fascinating sights, many of the best experiences are to be found by wandering randomly, sightseeing, shopping and eating your way through the city. However, it's hot, humid and sometimes crowded, so schedule some air-conditioned downtime in shopping malls or restaurants into your plan. You may find that most attractions are only crowded on weekends and holidays and deserted on weekdays.

The following gives a brief description of KL's attractions by district:

City Center: This is the traditional core of Kuala Lumpur and the former colonial administrative center. Here you'll find Merdeka Square (Independence Square), the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Selangor Club. This district also includes Kuala Lumpur's old Chinese commercial center which everyone refers to now as Chinatown.

• Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka): Merdeka Square has a special place in the hearts of all Malaysians, for it was here that the Union Jack was lowered for the last time in 1957 and Malaysia gained its independence. Surrounding the area are a number of historical structures like Sultan Abdul Samad building (see below) and the Old City Hall. The Royal Selangor Club and St. Mary's Cathedral are two famous landmarks nearby.



Merdeka Square has special meaning for all Malaysians (flickr user SqueakyMarmot)

• Sultan Abdul Samad Building: Originally the offices of the Colonial Secretariat, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building later served as the first administrative center of the Malaysian government. Built in 1848 by British architects, this historical landmark is famed for its Islamic-inspired architecture. Today, it houses the Courts of Law. The 120-foot high clock tower is a popular gathering point for New Year's and National Day countdown celebrations and parades.



A view of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building from across Merdeka Square

• National Mosque (Masjid Negara): The Masjid Negara is unique in that it incorporates Malay-Islamic rather than the usual Arabic-Islamic architecture. It is known for its conspicuous turquoise umbrella-like roof. Visitors are asked to dress modestly--robes for those in shorts and head scarves for women will be provided.



The national mosque in Kuala Lumpur offers a fascinating look at Islam in Malaysia (flickr user Balaji Dutt)

• National Museum (Muzium Negara): This museum contains exhibits on traditional life of the various ethnic communities in Malaysia, numerous well-explained artifacts including fine clothing and shadow puppets, and a sizeable natural history section showing the range of flora and fauna native to the country.
• Islamic Arts Museum (Muzium Kesenian Islam): One of the most interesting museums in KL, the Islamic Arts Museum shows how Malaysian Islamic culture is connected to the Muslim lands to the west and also celebrates the uniqueness of Malaysian Islamic art.

Chinatown: Kuala Lumpur has a vibrant Chinatown that should definitely be on your list of places to see.

In Chinese culture, these red lanterns above the street symbolize good luck (flickr user akuppa)

• Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association: The Yuen family built this clan house (kongsi), the largest and oldest in KL, in 1906.



The colorful Chinese architecture on display here is a delight to see (flickr user cornstaruk)

• Sze Ya Temple: Built in 1882, Sze Ya, the oldest Chinese temple in the city, is dedicated to Shen Kong, the guardian deity for the local Chinese tin miners, and several other deities. The ornate interior and elaborate roof ridges are typical of religious Chinese architecture and visitors can still see patrons worshipping gods and ancestors.
• Sri Mahamariamman Temple: This elaborate Hindu temple is known as the starting point of the yearly Thaipusam pilgrimage to the Batu Caves north of the city, when Hindu devotees haul portable altars pierced to their skin with 108 lances.



Sri Mahamariamman Temple, with its beautiful Hindu carvings (flickr user Prince Roy)

Golden Triangle: The area of Kuala Lumpur located to the northeast of the city center, the Golden Triangle is where you'll find the city's shopping malls, five-star hotels, the Petronas Twin Towers and party spots.

• Petronas Twin Towers: Until recently the tallest buildings in the world, they are now second only to the newly built Taipei 101 building in Taipei, Taiwan. Visitors may pick up passes to marvel at the view from the Skybridge (level 41-42), one of the highest suspended bridges in the world. But note that in general you only have about 10 minutes on the Skybridge, and the views at the KL Tower (see below) are actually better.



Completed in 1998, the Petronas Towers ranked as the highest buildings in the world until 2004 (flickr user peter.macdonald)

• Aquaria: A gigantic aquarium housing 5,000 varieties of tropical fishes, Aquaria has an underwater tunnel, various exhibits of flora and fauna, and multimedia kiosks.
• Petrosains: A museum of the science and technology behind the petroleum industry, located in the Petronas Towers. A great place to bring kids, but it shouldn't be too high on the agenda for older folks.
• KL Tower: 1,100 feet above ground, the observation deck on the top floor provides great city views, and you'll actually be a few dozen feet higher than the Petronas Towers since the tower is built on a hill. Traveler's tip: The views from the KL Tower are far superior to those from the Petronas Towers, though KL Tower is not a particularly easy place to reach by public transport.



The KL Tower, 1,381 feet tall if you include the antenna, is the fifth tallest tower in the world

Tuanku Abdul Rahman: This is the traditional, colorful shopping district of Kuala Lumpur north of the city center that moves into high gear during the festivals of Hari Raya Puasa (Eid ul-Fitr) and Deepavali.

Brickfields: This area, located south of the city center, is Kuala Lumpur's Little India, filled with saree shops and banana leaf rice restaurants. Kuala Lumpur's main railway station-KL Sentral-is also located here.

• Thean Hou Temple: The Thean Hou temple is one of the largest and most ornate Chinese temples in the region. The six-tiered temple is dedicated to Tian Hou, or The Heavenly Mother. But it also houses two other altars, one for Shui Wei Sheng Niang, the Goddess of the Waterfront and another for Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Its grand architecture and fantastic views make it a tourist favorite.



The photogenic Thean Hou temple

Bangsar and Midvalley: Located south of the city, Bangsar is a popular restaurant and clubbing district while Midvalley, with its mega mall, is one of the city's most popular shopping destinations.

Damansara and Hartamas: Largely suburban, these two districts to the west of the city are home to some interesting restaurants and drinking areas.

Northern suburbs: This huge area to the north of the city is home to several attractions, such as Batu Caves, the National Zoo and the Indigenous Peoples Museum.

• Batu Caves: Hindus have used these caves as temples since their discovery in 1878 by William Hornaday. Crowds of Hindus visit the caves in January and February for the spectacular Thaipusam festival, when devout Hindus skewer portable shrines to their bodies and carry them all the way from central KL, about 8 miles away. The caves contain a large number of beautiful statues of the Hindu gods, with a golden, 130 foot statue of Lord Muruga at the entrance. Beware of the thieving monkeys and the bat droppings in the cave, and be prepared to climb 272 stairs to access the cave.



Batu Caves is a fascinating natural wonder and an important Hindu temple, as well as a nice excursion out of the city center (flickr user peter.macdonalsd)

• Muzium Orang Asli (Indigenous Peoples Museum): A quaint museum situated on Orang Asli land that showcases the cultures of the different peoples indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia. Over 3,000 artifacts reveal the history and lifestyles of the many tribes which occupied Malaysia before the advent of urban society. Definitely worth the journey.

Shopping

There's some great shopping to be done in Kuala Lumpur. Goods are available in every price bracket, and while electronics are a tad more expensive than in Singapore or Hong Kong, they are still often cheaper than in Europe. Kuala Lumpur's premier shopping district is the Bukit Bintang area in the Golden Triangle, named after the street of the same name.

Fans of electronic gadgets will delight in the multitude of choices at Low Yat Plaza, while shoppers hunting for the latest in affordable Asian style should definitely check out Times Square and Sungei Wang Plaza. Pavilion is a recent addition to the cluster of shopping malls in this area and houses a wide range of international retail brands in an ultra-modern complex.

Despite the onslaught of malls, KL still offers traditional shopping streets and markets. The best area for browsing is Chinatown in the City Center. Good souvenirs can be found in particular at the Central Market, a former produce market which has been converted into an arts and crafts market.

To really get a feel for Kuala Lumpur, be sure to spend some time among the crowds at street markets like this one (flickr user MyLifeStory)

Eating

Malaysians are obsessed with food and so it is hardly surprising that as the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur reflects this love affair with eating. You'll be able to find the entire range of Malaysian cuisine as well as food from around the world.

Tasty Malaysian snacks like these await you in Kuala Lumpur (flickr user SqueakyMarmot)

Here are a few options:

• Food stalls: "Coffeeshops" (kedai kopi) operate like a foodcourt with many stalls selling a variety of food, most of which is Chinese. Some coffeeshops offer streetside dining by placing their tables on the sidewalks. Coffeeshops are found on virtually every street in KL, but Chinatown in the City Center and Jalan Alor in the Golden Triangle have the greatest concentration. Be aware that they mostly open only at night.
• Mamak shops: Rivaling the coffeeshops in terms of their numbers, as well as in their prices, are what Malaysians call "mamak shops"--food outlets run by Indian Muslims. They can be found at almost every street corner in KL, although the Tuanku Abdul Rahman neighborhood is particularly well-known for its mamak shops. The food is halal, meaning it conforms to Muslim dietary laws.



Street vendors provide a quick, inexpensive way of getting both a meal and a cultural experience (flickr user Luca & Vita)

• Food courts: Clean and air-conditioned, the food courts found in shopping malls can also provide you with a good opportunity to sample Malaysian cuisine, although the prices will be a little higher than in coffeeshops or mamak stands.

• Restaurants: KL has a good number of restaurants, some of them offering better food than others. The Golden Triangle, Bangsar and Midvalley, Heritage Row and some areas in Damansara and Hartamas are the usual places for people looking for a restaurant meal. Beware that most restaurants close by 10 p.m., so you'll probably need to look for street food if hungry later at night.

An unforgettable image from Kuala Lumpur--the Petronas Towers illuminated

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The Columns of Ancient Egypt

When we think of Egyptian temples, one of the principle architectural elements that comes to mind is the column. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a temple such as Karnak without thinking of its columned halls, and what many visitors will take away with them is visions of pylons, obelisks, statues and columns. Column shafts were often decorated with colorful depictions in painted, carved relief, and remain some of the most interesting architectural elements in Egyptian structures.

Most people who have any familiarity with ancient Egypt will immediately recognize the form of Lotus and Papyrus style columns, but actually no less the about 30 different column forms have been isolated from temples of the various periods. Most of the time, the columns shafts were copies in stone of supports made from plants, resembling either a trunk or a bundle of stems of smaller diameter. Also the shape of the capital, the top of the column, also had a plant theme, and at the transition of the capital to the shaft, five bands might be found representing the lashing which held together the bundle of stems of which the earliest columns were made. Above the capital a low abacus usually connected the column to the architraves placed above it. However, there are exceptions to all of this. At least prior to the Graeco-Roman Period, we also find columns with tent pole and the goddess Hathor and other god or goddess motifs.
Actually, the type of column was usually, but not always dictated by its placement within the temple, and therefore most temples actually employ more then one design. Most of the time, "Bud" style columns were used in the outer temple courts, particularly away from the central axis of the inner temple. "Open" style capitals were most often found in the temples central areas. However, as time passed, into the late antiquities period, there was considerably more variation in these themes. In the Graeco-Roman period, column styles became especially varied, and many Egyptian designs were exported to Greece and Roman, where they underwent further evolutionary changes.
Left: Tent Pole style columns in the Festival Temple of Tuthmosis III at Karnak
In the very earliest of Egyptian history, columns were often made from one large monolithic block. However, in all later periods columns were usually built up in sectional blocks that were then first shaped and then smoothed from the top down. They were then normally painted, and afterwards, were difficult to tell that they were not cut from a single piece of stone. 

Major Types of Columns and/or Capitals
Plant Style Columns
Fluted Column

This early form of column first appears in the Step Pyramid enclosure of Djoser, but the form died mostly died out by the New Kingdom. However, their use continued in Nubia. These columns resembled and represented bundled reeds or plant stems, but during later periods, sometimes took the form of a polygonal column shaft.
What is probably most interesting about fluted columns in Egypt is that they very probably represent the first columns made from stone in the world. While the fluted columns may have lost their popularity as an independent style many of the future columns incorporated design elements from them, in effect, simply incorporating a more complex capital.

Palmiform Columns

The Palmiform Columns were also one of the earliest styles of columns in Egypt temple architecture. Example of this type of column were found, for example, in the 5th Dynasty pyramid mortuary complex of Unas. However, after the 5th Dynasty, these types of columns are rare, but continued to occasionally be used. Mostly we find examples during later periods at the Taharga temple in Kawa in Upper Nubia, and in some temples dating to the Graeco-Roman Period. However, they may also be found in the Ramesseum. There, at the inner side of the court, are two rows of ten columns. The four middle columns in each row are Papyriform columns while the others are Palmiform. These columns obviously had a palm tree motif, but did not actually represent the tree itself, but rather eight palm fronds lashed to a pole.

Lotiform Columns

Lotiform columns were perhaps used in non-secular buildings then in the temples. However, this is not to say that they were not also sometimes employed in religious architecture. The simple, lotus bud form of the column is enjoyed widespread use in the Old and Middle Kingdom temples. Its use declined during the New Kingdom, but again found popularity during the Graeco-Roman Period. This column usually has ribbed shafts representing the the stems of the Lotus, and capitals in the form of a closed (bud) or open lotus flower.
Just as a side note, Lotus plants specifically are not present in the earlier times of Egyptian antiquity. What we so often refer to as "Lotus" was in fact a type of water lily.

Papyriform Columns

There are several variations in this type of column. Some have circular shafts representing a single plant, while others have ribbed shafts that represent a plants with multiple stems. The capitals could be closed (buds) or open in a wide, bell-shaped form. During the New Kingdom, the shafts of most papyriform columns taper upwards from bases decorated with triangular patterns representing stylized stem sheaths. The earliest examples we know of the circular shaft style columns can be found in Djoser's Step Pyramid enclosure at Saqqara. However, these are not free standing columns, but incorporated into other structures. Though the circular shaft form of the column seems to have been used throughout Egyptian history, they saw widespread use during the New Kingdom, along with both open and closed capital styles.
We first find the multi-stemmed form of this column employed during the 5th Dynasty, but it was also frequently used during the New Kingdom. 18th Dynasty columns are particularly fine, with considerable artistic detail. They became more stylized by the 19th Dynasty.

Coniform Columns

This column style apparently quickly died out after their use in Djoser's Step Pyramid enclosure wall. It has not been found in later temples. The style is characterized by a fluted shaft surmounted by a capital representing the branches of a conifer tree.

Tent Pole Columns

Though we probably know of other applications of this style from documentation, apparently the only surviving, known examples are found in the Festival Temple of Tuthmosis III at Karnak. It is possible that very early examples of the style were also constructed of brick. There is little doubt that this type of column made of stone was rare. The column is basically a representation in stone of the wooden "poles" used to support light structures such as tents, and sometimes shrines, kiosks or ships cabins.
Why this tent pole design was used is perhaps somewhat of a mystery, though they certainly reflect back on the earliest of Egypt's structures and their wood counterparts. It is sometimes believe that the specific columns in Tuthmosis III temple were modeled after actual wooden poles of his military tent.

Campaniform Columns

Considerable variety existed in this style of columns. They sometimes took the shape of a floral column or pillar. Some had circular, ribbed or square shafts (pillars). They all had some form of flower shaped capital. Two of the best known of these are located in the Hall of Annals of Tuthmosis III at Karnak. At this temple, the, the structures take the shape of a pillar. They including two style of column, with one representing the heraldic plant of Lower (northern) Egypt, the Papyrus, and the other type representing the symbolic plant of Upper (southern) Egypt, the Lotus. They are positioned symbolically on the northern and southern sides of the hall. Such placement was not unusual, and we see many examples of columns positioned in the north and south of courtyards with northern and southern motifs. This specific types of column is rare, but their more stylized forms appeared most frequently in the Graeco-Roman Period.

Composite Columns

These columns were common during the Graeco-Roman Period. Composite Columns were probably an evolutionary extension of the campaniform columns with capitals decorations including floral designs of any number of real, or even imagined plants. There variation could be endless, and they became so utterly stylized that the original floral motifs could hardly be recognized. In fact, this type of column continued to evolve in Greece and Rome, becoming very different then the Egyptian variety.

While natural plant columns were the most common in Egypt, other column and pillar types could represent deities or their attributes. Examples of these include:
Hathoric Columns

This type of column never appeared prior to the Middle Kingdom, and was probably originated in that period. They are usually instantly recognizable by their capital in the shape of the cow headed goddess, Hathor. They often had a simple, round shaft. All considered, they were fairly common, and examples may be found in the temple of Nefertari at Abu Simbel and within the hypostyle hall of the Ptolemaic (Greek) temple at Dendera. The Dendera columns are probably the best known, where all twenty four columns have the head of this goddess on all four sides. We also know of several other temples with Hathor columns, including the temple of Nekhebet at el Kab. Sistrum columns are also associated with Hathor, but represent in the capitals and shafts the handles and rattles of the sistrum.

Osiride Pillars

All examples of this type of pillar are engaged, meaning that they are part of another architectural element. They appear to also have originated in the Middle Kingdom, and and take the form of a statue of the god Osiris on the pillar's front surface.

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Temples of Egypt

by Monroe Edgar
Writing an introduction to ancient Egypt temples is considerably more difficult then examining any specific structure, for a number of different reasons. First of all, the term "temple" is misleading, and secondly, the term covers a huge variety of different structures that evolved over such a vast period of time that many people have a difficulty comprehending just how long a time this period spans.

The Ramessuem on the West Bank at Luxor (Ancient Thebes)

For example, think of the Roman Coliseum (in Rome). It is almost 2,000 years old, and most of us would think of it as very ancient. Yet, when the Romans first came to Egypt, they were awe struck by Egyptian temples, some of which at that time were already more ancient to the Romans, then the Roman Coliseum is to us. So we must consider the effect that these temples had on the ancient Egyptians. Imagine the feelings of old tradition and holiness felt by a young priest when he first enters St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. How must a young Egyptian priest felt as he strolled the courts of the much more temple of Heliopolis, which was much more ancient to him then St. Peter's would be to a young priest of today.

For example, think of the Roman Coliseum (in Rome). It is almost 2,000 years old, and most of us would think of it as very ancient. Yet, when the Romans first came to Egypt, they were awe struck by Egyptian temples, some of which at that time were already more ancient to the Romans, then the Roman Coliseum is to us. So we must consider the effect that these temples had on the ancient Egyptians. Imagine the feelings of old tradition and holiness felt by a young priest when he first enters St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. How must a young Egyptian priest felt as he strolled the courts of the much more temple of Heliopolis, which was much more ancient to him then St. Peter's would be to a young priest of today. 


Webster's New World Dictionary defines temple as "1. a building for the worship of god or gods, and 2. A large building for some special purpose". For the second definition, they provide the example, "a temple of art". Neither of these definitions fit the ancient Egyptian temple very well, and yet, almost every religious structure in Egypt outside of the various types of tombs are almost always referred to as temples.
Certainly some of these "temple" structures do embrace both of Webster's definitions. In fact, it is difficult to imagine most any large, ancient building not falling under the second definition, including palaces and governmental buildings. However, our modern readers are more likely to think in terms of the first definition, that of a temple being a place of worship. However, this definition is simply too limited to fit even the structures that many modern Egyptologists better define as a "god's mansion". Even these temples sometimes had many other functions, acting sometimes as fortresses, administrative centers and even concrete expression of propaganda or royal retreats. However, it is difficult to define some other religious structures that are called temples as houses of worship or "god's mansions". They may have other political or all together different purposes.
It was the ancient Egyptian temple that received endowments. It was the mortuary temple and the cult of the dead king that funded the entire pyramid complex of the early kings, for example. Temples owned land, livestock and received donations, sometimes including the spoils of war, in order to support often large populations of priests, workers, and sometimes even an entire support town.

The Temple of Karnak at Luxor

The Temple of Karnak today remains the worlds largest religious structure, but what is perhaps even more interesting is that it might not have been, or indeed was probably not Egypt's largest temple. Certainly the Temple of Ptah in Memphis, though for the most part completely gone today, may have been larger. It was older, and located in what was often the capital of Egypt, and more often the administrative center of the ancient country. Other temples in the Nile Delta might have been just as large as Karnak, if not larger.
Sites such as Karnak, Dendera and Kom Ombo would most likely fall under the category of "god's mansion". They were more then religious "temples" however. While the god may certainly have been worshiped in these temples, it was also his symbolic home, if not considered his physical residence, and the functions of the temple were as much to serve his or her symbolic physical needs as they were for the god's worship. There was probably little or no "preaching" as such, or carrying the message of the god to the people by priests associated with these "temples". Rather the efforts were directed inward, towards the care of the gods.
Also, though we often make a very specific distention between mortuary temples of kings, for example, and temples such as Karnak, they were actually very similar. Kings were considered gods, and after their death, they required a "mansion" and the same attention as other gods. Both regular and mortuary temples served to keep the name of the king or god alive. 


The real distinction, religiously, seems to be in regards to structures that might not so easily be defined as "god's mansions". Nefertari's temple at Abu Simbel was certainly dedicated to the goddess Hathor, it would seem. But this also seems to be a situation where a "god's mansion" was built as much for political as for religious purposes. These great monuments at Abu Simbel, consisting of her temple, and the larger temple of her husband, Ramesses II, were not just temples. They were also reminders of Egypt's greatness to her southern neighbors. Other structures hardly fit within the "god's mansion" category at all. For example, Sed-festival Temples that celebrated the king's jubilees seem to have had a completely different purpose than "god's mansions", and ka Temples provided a residence not to the dead king, but for his soul.
Nevertheless, for convenience, we will refer to most religious structures other then tombs as temples in the remainder of this reference. 

Dynastic era temples may be found throughout Egypt, though the ones that have survived time are mostly in the south. They were built for many different forms of worship, as well as other purposes. Some were major temples dedicated to major deities, while others were dedicated to a number of different deities. Some were mortuary temples, where the temple was dedicated to the deified dead king, and where he was worshiped and cared for by his cult. There were also valley temples, which were often no more then monumental gateways connected to the king's mortuary chapel by a causeway. There were all manner of specialized temples, such as Sed-festival temples, ka temples, sun temples, coronation temples and others.
Many of Egypt's temples became complex systems of buildings, added to by generations of pharaohs over sometimes thousands of years. Such temples include those of Luxor and Karnak, but others long destroyed, such as the Temple of Ptah. In fact, there are any number of northern temples, though long gone, that would have rivaled the southern temples that we most often visit today. 


Most Temples had some sort of organized structure that evolved into a traditional, if somewhat varied floor plan. For example, the mortuary temple of 5th Dynasty kings invariably had an outer section and an inner sanctuary. The outer section would consist of an entrance corridor, followed by an open columned courtyard. Often, the pillars were inscribed with the king's name and title, and the northern columns would have scenes oriented to northern Egypt's symbolic gods, with a similar arrangement on the southern columns. Various additional minor chambers might also exist within the outer section, including, for example, an entrance vestibule or a guard station. Between the outer temple and the inner section there was usually a transverse corridor, and in the center of the long, west wall a doorway lead to the inner sanctuary of which the front section consists of a chapel with five niches for statues. Behind the chapel would be an offering hall, notable for a false door on the west wall that faces the pyramid, and before the door, an offering altar. Within the inner sanctuary there might also be additional rooms, such as vestibules and antechambers. Associated with both the outer and inner sections of the temple would be storage and other annexes to one side or both of the main temple components.
Non-mortuary temples often also had courtyards, chapels, offering halls, vestibules, antechambers, just like the mortuary temples. They tend to vary considerably in their style and elements, though temples built for specific gods tended to be more uniform (though not always). One of the major differences between mortuary temples and others was that the non-mortuary temples were very often added to, built upon and even usurped by various kings. Though in rare cases a mortuary temples, such as that of Djoser at Saqqara, became places of high holiness, and were built upon by later kings, most mortuary temples were never added to or usurped. They therefore most often were much more simple than major non-mortuary temples.
Latter temples took the form of fortresses, with massive entrance pylons and enclosure walls, huge courtyards, columned or pillared halls and inner sanctuaries.
Topics Applicable to Temples and Chapels

• The Columns of Ancient Egypt
• Construction in Ancient Egypt
• An Overview of Ancient Egyptian Cults
• Foundation Ceremonies
• Grand Festivals in Ancient Egypt
• The Location and Orientation of Ancient Egyptian Temples
• Mythology
• Offering Formulas and Rituals
• Pharaonic Egypt in Sketches
• Priests in Ancient Egypt
• Royal Cults of the Kings of Ancient Egypt
• Ancient Egyptian Temple Elements Part I: Approach and Entrance
• Ancient Egyptian Temple Elements Part II: The Outer Courtyards
• Ancient Egyptian Temple Elements Part III: On the Path to the Sanctuary
• Ancient Egyptian Temple Elements Part IV: The Sanctuary and its Environs
• Ancient Egyptian Temple Elements Part V: Associated Element

Specific Temples and Chapels
For Pyramid Mortuary Temples, see Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

• Abu Simbel - Nubia
• Aghurmi Temple and the Oracle of Amun - Siwa
• Ain el-Muftella, Temple of - Bahariya Oasis
• Alexander the Great, Temple of - Bahariya Oasis
• Amada, Temple of - Nubia
• Amenhotep III, Temple of - West Bank, Luxor
• el-Amarna, Tell - Deir Mawas
• Artemidos, Speos of - Mallawi
• Aten, Great Temple of - Amarna
• Aten, Small (Royal) Temple of - Amarna
• Beit el-Wali Temple, Nubia
• Bes, Temple of - Bawiti, Bahariya Oasis
• Dakka, Temple of in Nubia
• Deir el Bahari, Temple of - West Bank, Luxor
• Dendera, Temple of - Dendera
• Dendur, Temple of - New York
• Derr, Temple of - Nubia
• Dush, Temple of - Kharga
• Gerf Hussein, Temple of - Nubia
• Al-Ghuwaytah, Temple of - Kharga Oasis
• Al-Hager, Temple of Deir - Dakhla Oasis
• Hathor, Ptolemaic Temple of at Deir el-Medina - West Bank, Luxor
• Hercules, Temple of - Bahariya Oasis
• Hibis, Temple of - Kharga
• Horemheb, Speos of - Kom Ombb
• Horus, Temple of - Edfu
• Horus, Temples of (at Thoth Hill) - West Bank, Luxor
• Kalabsha Temple - Nubia
• Karnak, Temple of - Luxor
• Khnum, Temple of - Esna
• Kom-Ombo, Temple of - Kom-Ombo
• Luxor, Temple of - Luxor
• Maru-Aten - Amarna
• Medinet Madi (ancient Narmouthis) - Fayoum
• Mentuhotep II, Mortuary Temple of - West Bank, Luxor
• Merenptah, Mortuary Temple of - West Bank, Luxor
• Montu, Rattawy & Harpcrates, Temple of - Medamud
• Montu, Temple of - Tod
• Nekhbet and Thoth, Temples of at el-Kab
• Nile Delta, Minor Temples and Other Ruins of, Part I
  Abusir, Tell Atrib (Arhribis), Ausim (Letopolis), Behbeit el-Hagar, & Tell el-Dab'a
• Nile Delta, Minor Temples and Other Ruins of, Part II
  Ezbet Rushdi, Tell Far'un, Kom el-Hisn, Kom Abu Billo & Tell el-Maskhuta
• Nile Delta, Minor Temples and Other Ruins of, Part III
  Tell el-Muqdam (Leontopolis), Tell el-Qirqafa and Tell el-Rub'a (Tell El Robee, Greek Mendes)
• Nile Delta, Minor Temples and Other Ruins of, Part IV
  Tell el-Retaba, Saft el-Hinna, Samannud (Sebennytos) and Tell el-Yahudiya
• Nubia, Lost Temples of
• Nubian, Other Temples
• Osiris, Temple of (and former temple of Khentyamentiu) - Abydos
• Other Temples on the West Bank at Thebes, Part I
  Temples belonging to Amenhotep I, Amenhotep II, Siptah, the Colonnaded Temple of Ramesses IV, the Ramessid Temple, the Chapel of the White Queen and the private temple of Nebwenenef
• Other Temples on the West Bank at Thebes, Part II - Temples of Ramesses IV (mortuary), Amenophis son of Hapu, Tuthmosis II, and the North and South temples at Nag Kom Lolah
• Other Temples of the West Bank at Thebes, Part III: The Temples at Deir el-Medina - Temple of Amenhotep I, the Hathor Chapel of Seti I, the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor, and a small Temple of Amun.
• Other Temples of the West Bank at Thebes, Part IV - Mortuary Temple of Tuthmosis III, and the temples of Tuya and Nefertari, Tuthmosis IV, Wadjmose and Siptah and Tausert
• Philae (Now on Agilika Island), Temple of - Nubia
• Qasr Ibrim - Nubia
• Qertassi, Kiosk of - Nubia
• Ramesseum - West Bank, Luxor
• Ramesses II, Portal Tempel of - Abydos
• Ramesses II, Temple of - Abydos
• Ramesses II, Temple of - Minya
• Ramesses III, Temple of - West Bank, Luxor
• Red Chapel of Hatshepsut at Karnak - East Bank, Luxor
• Wadi al-Sabua (Sebua), Temple of - Nubia
• Sarabit al-Khadim, Temple and Mines of - Sinai
• Sarapeion, including Pompay's Pillar - Alexandria
• Satis, Temple of - Elephantine (Aswan)
• Senusret III, Mortuary Temple of - Abydos
• Seti I Temple of Millions of Years - West Bank, Luxor
• Seti I, Temple of and the Osireion at Abydos
• Shepseskaf, Mortuary Temple of (Unique, at South Saqqara)
• Shenhur, Roman Temple of
• Sobek-Re, Temple of - Qasr Qarun
• Sun Temples of the 5th Dynasty (Userkaf and Niuserre) - Abusir & Abu Ghurob
• Taposiris Magna, Temple of - Alexandria
• Temple of the Oracle - Siwa
• Tuthmosis III, Temple of at Abydos
• Tuthmosis III, Temple of Amun at Deir el-Bahari - West Bank, Luxor
• Umm Ubayda, Temple of - Siwa Oasis
• White Chapel of Senusret I, The - East Bank in the Open Air Museum, Luxor
• Al-Zayyan Temple - Kharga

About Egyptian Pyramids

Egypt Feature Story

Tell us What You Want to See on Tour Egypt

Welcome. We need your input, and in doing so, you can help shape the stories we will be presenting on Tour Egypt over the coming year.
This year we celebrate 10 years of serving the tourist who travel to Egypt, and the tourist industry in Egypt, actually a rather long haul for almost any web site. Tour Egypt dates back to the very early days of the commercial internet itself, when the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Tourism Authority requested our services in providing them with their official site. Over that period of time, we have written about every pyramid known in Egypt, almost every major and minor temple, and most of the major tombs, as well as other archaeological sites such as ancient cities. We have written about most of the major historical Christian churches and monasteries, and most of the major historical mosques and other archaic Islamic era monuments. We have also covered various aspects of ancient culture, including religion, though the centuries, and a host of other topics related to antiquities and ancient society, including the history of Egypt. We have also written about most all of the modern tourists destinations, as well as many articles about specific types of tourism and various aids to tourism (See our Home Page).
There is much more that we can write about, and we are always expanding our libraries. We also have various writers in Egypt who we send out to write specific stories. Now, we would like your input as to what you want to read. Think of it as having your own research staff in Egypt. You tell us what you want to find out about in Egypt, what interests you, from general topics to specific ones, or specific sites, and we will send out our staff to accommodate your requests. Keep in mind that we have extensively covered many topics, but feel free to tell us even if you would like to have even more extensive information on a topic we have already covered.
Your input is extremely important to us and to Tour Egypt. We need and want it. This is not a survey as such, or at least not yet. What we really wish for our readers to do is leave us comments by clicking on the comments link below and provide us with a short explanation of what you would like us to write about. Its that simple. You may even tell us other ways that you would like to see Tour Egypt improved.
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Jimmy Dunn
Webmaster and Chairman
Tour Egypt

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