Our day in Aswan began with a boat ride to Philae Temple and continued with a trip to the Aswan High Dam. The dam is one of the largest in the world and provides tremendous irrigation for the entire lower Nile River valley, as well as hydroelectric power for much of the country.
In the afternoon we boarded a felucca (sailboat) for half an hour on the river, and then transferred to a motor boat for a visit to the Nubian Village, complete with camel rides!
The night was short! Our wake-up call was at 2:30 a.m.!! We had to depart our lovely cruise ship by 3:30 in order to join the escorted convoy of buses and vans taking the three-hour trip to Abu Simbel. We were dubious about the value of a trip starting that early, but it was indeed a highlight. The Abu Simbel temple would have been flooded by Lake Nassar with the building of the Aswan Dam in the 1960's, so they dissembled it into 48,000 pieces and re-assembled it 500 feet to the west on higher ground. Wow.
We were back in Aswan by 1:00 and caught a boat to our hotel, the Movenpick Resort on an island in the Nile River. It was a gorgeous place to rest and relax for a couple hours.
Later we went for tea at the historic Cataract Hotel for sunset and Nile views, followed by a visit to the second-largest Coptic Christian Church in Egypt.
Ready to board our boat to Philae Temple
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for our ride to Philae
Philae Temple entrance
Philae Temple side view
Ahmed 'exaplains' the history of the temple
The group gathers at the meeting point
Cousins Dennis and Leora with Aunt Gladys
Heading back to the boats we almost lost Ruthie! She was "in DeNile" before we knew it! Boarding the boat she missed the step and down she went into the water. Quick action on the part of a dock assistant kept her from disappearing under the boat into the 40-foot deep lake.
Ruth, soaked to the waste, is attended to by a temple guard, who takes off her shoes and socks and puts them on the boat deck to dry. Ruth is in good humor in spite of the trauma.
Map of the Aswan Dam
Lake Nassar, behind Aswan Dam
Aswan Dam front side and the Soviet-Egyptian Friendship Monument
The Nile River below the Aswan Dam
Sam gets high at Aswan Dam
The unfinished obelisk in the granite quarry
Carrying goods to market
Sand Dunes on the west bank of the Nile in Aswan
Sailboats dot the Nile during our Felucca ride
Nubian staff entertain us on our Felucca. A felucca is a historic sailboat.
Vaughn and Barb enjoy the show.
A young boy comes alongside on his styrofoam raft and sings for us.
Kay loves her spot on the front of the motorboat.
West bank of the Nile
Kay mounts her camel!
Our camels take us to the Nubian Village. Go Dick!
Allen and Kay on their camels
Hang on Shelley! He will be down in a second!
Colorful houses in the Nubian Village
Spice stalls in the Nubian Village
Nubian woman in front of her home
Fern holds a baby crocodile
Something is amusing! Our group at the Nubian Village
A teacher shows us the Arabic alphabet.
Group photo at Abu Simbel on the shore of Lake Nassar
Mother (Aunt Gladys) in front of Abu Simbel
Vaughn shows her 'Griz' colors at Abu Simbel.
Ramses II faces at Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel entrance
presenting lotus flowers to the goddess
Lake Nassar
Abu Simbel
The return voyage through the desert. Sand. Sand. Sand.
Look at the hills reflected in the water!
Water? Actually, it's just a mirage!
We had lunch at McDonalds in Aswan so the group gives a collective 'M'.
It was an interesting experience with some local foods in the traditional McMenu.
Our lovely Movenpick Hotel on Elaphantine Island
Swimming Pool at Movenpick Hotel
Kermit takes advantage of the nice weather
Evening tea at the historic Cataract Hotel
Wendi, LaShawna, Mary Beth and Dick at tea above the Nile
Evening glow over the river from our teatime at the Cataract Hotel
2nd-largest Coptic Christian Church in Egypt
Interior of the church
Ceiling of the church
the Apostles
Aswan street scene
Aswan butcher shop
Three shop gals at the Aswan Airport.
We bid farewell to Aswan and fly to Cairo for the last 4 nights.
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