Our Morning View
from the Boat
Our day
began at 6:30a, right after breakfast. We went on a short motor boat ride to
the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilka. The temple was dedicated to Isis,
sister/wife of Osiris and patroness of the Ptolemaic rule. I can't keep all
their gods straight because there are a lot of them! Another beautiful,
intricate temple. This one even had a kiosk built by the Roman Emperor, Trajan nearby. As
years passed and Christians came, they put their marks on the temples as well,
the cross in different styles, and there are also some Christian etchings in some
areas.
Temple of
Philae
Next we
drove to the Aswan High Dam, Egypt’s contemporary example of building on a
monumental scale. It is quite something in the fact that if the dam was
destroyed all of Egypt would flood within 7 hours. Can you imagine? That is
what our guide told us. I will be eager to have the Internet to check some of
the things we were told. Later I asked a different guide an he said the area of
Alexandra would be fully destroyed. Since most of the inhabitants are along the
river, perhaps it is true in life but not in land? Of course there is a
military presence and each vehicle is checked. In addition, it is a no-fly
zone.
The Dam
Next stop
was the granite quarries which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the
hard stone used in pyramids and temples. Here we got a better idea how the
Obelisks were made as we viewed the Unfinished Obelisk at this site. It cracked
when they were cutting it out so they abandoned the whole thing.
Unfinished
Obelisk
We sailed
around Elephantine Island on a felucca, the traditional Egyptian sail boat.
Elephantine Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is the site of
some of the most ancient remains in Egypt, with artifacts dating to
pre-dynastic periods. Elephantine is Greek for Elephant. In ancient times, the
island was called Abu or Yabu, which also means elephant. The name may indicate
that the island was once a center for the trade of ivory. What a relaxing
time. Continue sailing around Kitchner Island (also known as Lord Kitchner’s
Botanical Garden, Plant Island, Gizirat al-Nabatat, Plantation
Island, or Gizirat al-Bustan). Lord Kitchner moved there after being given the
island for his campaigns in the Sudan. He imported plants from around the world
to create his famous garden. From the river you have a nice view of the Aga
Khan Mausoleum, an elegant pink granite structure built in the late 1950’s. We
saw many birds along the way. My camera is not great at getting most of them.
This felucca dropped us off right near our boat and we walked back with just
enough time freshen up and have lunch.
Felucca
Kingfisher
We relaxed
until 2:30p when John and I booked 2 additional things. 1) Visit to a Nubian
farm and 2) A carriage ride on the back streets and "real life" of
Aswan. The farm wasn't so interesting but the motor boat ride to it was
relaxing, breezy, and enjoyable while we saw a lot more birds. We did feed some
baby camels at the farm, saw some captured crocodiles, and a few goats. We had
tea and that was about it. When we got off the boat we got directly onto a
carriage. It was a fancy carriage. We drove through the back streets seeing
shops, fruit stands, women shopping, men visiting, children waving and
welcoming us, and a lot of the homes people live it. It is humbling, we have so
much and take it for granted. While the area for tourists looks much like any
other city, the back streets reveal the real life of the ordinary person. I was
pleasantly surprised today to see a couple Plumeria trees!!!
Nubian
House
Baby
Camels at Nubian Farm
Back
Streets 3
Back to
the ship, bidding farewell to our wonderful guide George just before dinner. We
will miss him tomorrow but we will be well taken care of by the guides we get,
I am sure. So after dinner we just worked on packing and went to bed. We have
to be ready for pick up at 7:15a tomorrow. Packing is a bit of a challenge
because the only things we are supposed to take with us to Abu Simbel is what we will carry around with us
for 2 hours. Ugh. Everything fit in one carryon bag that will be checked BUT -
the question is, how much will it weight? We shall see in the morning!
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