Day 27: Aswan and Abu Simbel
May 25 2005
Today we woke at 3am to be on the bus at 3:30, to catch the convoy at 4am to Abu Simbel. Due to the terrorist incident in 97, tourists now travel to Abu Simbel in groups of more than 40 buses with police escort in the front and back. It's pretty cool but it really limits the time that you can travel since there are only 2 convoys per day and both are in the morning.
We arrived after 7am and the sun was still pretty low on the horizon. The temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefatari were really beautiful. The temple of Ramses II has 4 statues in the back. From right to left: Horus, Pharoah Ramses II, Amun-Ra, and the god of Evil. Twice per year, the sun shines all the way to the back: on Ramses II birthday and corronation day. At least it used to be like that until the temple was moved during the creation of Lake Nassar due the High Dam. The god of Evil, however, always remains shaded. It's really cool.
Jen's favorite part about the temples were the colossus of Ramses in the front of his temple. They were really huge and well preserved. Jen liked how they were smiling. Michael's favorite part was the hieroglyphs in the temples. They were surprisingly well preserved and depicted interesting scenes of offerings, and conquest.
Now we have free time in Aswan! The plan is to hang out and enjoy the ludricrously hot weather. Hooray we have a pool!
Tonight, there's dinner at a Nubian household and dancing and stuff. We have no idea what to expect. Tomorrow is camel rides and felucca's! Should be loads of fun.
Michael and Jennifer
Today we woke at 3am to be on the bus at 3:30, to catch the convoy at 4am to Abu Simbel. Due to the terrorist incident in 97, tourists now travel to Abu Simbel in groups of more than 40 buses with police escort in the front and back. It's pretty cool but it really limits the time that you can travel since there are only 2 convoys per day and both are in the morning.
We arrived after 7am and the sun was still pretty low on the horizon. The temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefatari were really beautiful. The temple of Ramses II has 4 statues in the back. From right to left: Horus, Pharoah Ramses II, Amun-Ra, and the god of Evil. Twice per year, the sun shines all the way to the back: on Ramses II birthday and corronation day. At least it used to be like that until the temple was moved during the creation of Lake Nassar due the High Dam. The god of Evil, however, always remains shaded. It's really cool.
Jen's favorite part about the temples were the colossus of Ramses in the front of his temple. They were really huge and well preserved. Jen liked how they were smiling. Michael's favorite part was the hieroglyphs in the temples. They were surprisingly well preserved and depicted interesting scenes of offerings, and conquest.
Now we have free time in Aswan! The plan is to hang out and enjoy the ludricrously hot weather. Hooray we have a pool!
Tonight, there's dinner at a Nubian household and dancing and stuff. We have no idea what to expect. Tomorrow is camel rides and felucca's! Should be loads of fun.
Michael and Jennifer
posted by Michael at 6:15 AM
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