As part of my Masters degree in Egyptology at Macquarie University, I had an opportunity of a lifetime to join an archaeological mission in the Theban Necropolis at Luxor, Egypt, led by Prof. Boyo Ockinga.

It has been almost nine years since this amazing adventure, but the experiences I’ve gained over the three months spent in Egypt, working and travelling, will last a lifetime.

The ancient Egyptians had several different names for their homeland, among which is ‘Ta-Meri’, often translated as ‘The Beloved Land’, and stands out for us as reflective of the feelings that are evoked by my memories of Egypt. As this was my first time in Egypt I endeavoured to catch a glimpse of the many amazing sites that I had previously only seen in books and on television.

                              
Three months in Egypt allowed me to experience much of what the country has to offer. I made many friends who humbled me with their hospitality and generosity. Many moments will stay with me forever, such as the first glimpse of the Giza pyramids; a hot air balloon flight over Luxor at dawn on Christmas Day; admiring the golden sand dunes of the Sahara Desert stretching out endlessly; sailing on the Nile between the islands around the southern frontier of Aswan; a dawn pilgrimage to the top of the holy Mount Sinai, and many more.

This publication is the result of my journey through Egypt and whilst I am not a professional photographer, the sites I visited inspired me to capture their majesty. Thus my photographic journey is a unique one, viewed through the eyes of an aspiring Egyptologist discovering Egypt for the very first time. It is my wish that this publication will convey my visual memories of the land that I, much like the Ancient Egyptians, saw befittingly as ‘The Beloved Land’.

This beautifully presented hardcover travelogue conveys the visual memories of my journey, capturing the majesty that is Egypt, both past and present. A magnificent collection of over 300 colour photographs spread across 240 pages, that is sure to inspire.

The book can be ordered from the Shop page right here: https://benslabak.com/product/the-beloved-land/