The Karnak Temple and the Temple of Luxor are both on the banks of the Nile in the city centre. Partially shaded by the porticoes and palm trees, the latter’s floor mosaics are clearly visible from the balloon. A little further downriver, you may catch a glimpse of the sacred lake at the Karnak Temple before continuing westwards, past villages, sugar cane and mint fields, towards the desert. Can you see the Memnon Colossi down below? The enormous statues mark the road to the Valley of the Kings that the balloon is heading towards, as the city gradually shrinks behind you. Soon, you will be floating above the edge of the green line of vegetation, with the mountains straight ahead.