Sunsets on the Nile River

We had heard that the sunsets in Egypt were amazing and we weren’t disappointed. During our four day cruise down the river, we saw several different sunsets over the palm trees that line the coast. Even when we were in Cairo, our hotel overlooked the Nile and we saw some beautiful sunsets over the city. As the hot day comes to an end and cooler air moves in, the winds pick up and send sand into the air, giving the sun something to reflect off of in the otherwise clear skies. We have always been a fan of watching sunsets, but these will always be particularly special to us.

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Sunset in Cairo
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It May Look Like the Moon, But It is the Sun
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Sunset as We Departed Luxor

These are from Luxor after spending the day visiting the Valley of the Kings.

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The Start of the Sunset
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Simply Stunning
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As a Bird Flies Toward the Sun

Another beautiful night as we left Edfu to head to Aswan.

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From the Distance
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Zooming In
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Clear Sky

The view from our hotel in Cairo.

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River in the Foreground
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Orange Haze over the City
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Lights Starting to Turn On

 

The Domes of Rome

When traveling throughout Europe, the domes of cathedrals tower above the cities. Rome, however, seems to have more than its fair share of domes that dominate the skyline. It isn’t just the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, domes seem to be almost everywhere in the city. As interesting as domes can be when seen from the outside, they are often elaborately decorated inside and were often the focal point for the artists of their time. This week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is Arch, Dome, or Half-Circle. Looking at the skyline of Rome it almost seems as though you can find a dome around every corner.

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St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican
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Ornately Decorated Dome
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Multiple Domes
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Dome Ceiling
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Skyline of Rome
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Simple Dome
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Windows Inside of a Dome
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Church Dome
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Domes Across the Skyline
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Dome Inside of Another Dome
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Ancient Dome
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Domes Around a Plaza

 

The Ravages of Time

One of the most interesting things about traveling to different places is getting to see how places have evolved over time. There is only one constant in life and that is that change is always occurring. Whether it is the growth of certain cities, the collapse of civilizations, or just nature changing the face of the earth. We may get glimpses of the past or perhaps preserve treasured landmarks, but the reality is that change is all around us. Looking back at photos from places that we’ve visited, it seems that there are as many cranes erecting skyscrapers in our photos of historical landmarks as the sights themselves. We might view those as ruining our view of something special, but the reality is that it means that those cities are growing. Hopefully, but not always, that means prosperity for the people of the city and a change for the good. Normally we would do everything possible to keep these cranes out of our pictures, but sometimes it just isn’t possible. This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is Delta with photographs that symbolize change and the transition of time. Here are some photos that we normally wouldn’t share where the future is in direct conflict with the past.

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Sunset in Amsterdam
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Rooftops of Lucca
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Hercules Statue in Kassel
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Florence in Transition
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Athens Sunset
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Crane in the Background
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Morocco Coastline