I woke at 0230 for a 0300 pickup for Abu Simbel. Before we left Aswan, we went through a checkpoint where the vehicles were inspected by mirror underneath. It was a 3h+ ride from Aswan and I dozed part of the way. We didn’t travel in a strict convoy in a manner that was prescribe back when the security risk was higher.
We arrived just after 0700. It was a good time as the morning sun was illuminating the facade of both temples. From the ferry from Wadi Halfa, I got the impression that the Abu Simble temples were bigger. Nevertheless both the exterior and interior were impressive and date back to around 1200 BC. They were rediscovered in 1813 and relocated when the Nile was dammed and Lake Nasser created.
Text continues after this gallery.
-
- Daytrip: Abu Simbel’s temples bathed in the morning light.
-
- Daytrip: Abu Simbel’s temples bathed in the morning light.
-
- Daytrip: Abu Simbel’s temples bathed in the morning light.
We had been given more than 2h to spend here but we only needed a little more than an hour. After a bit of a wait being constantly barraged by offers by touts of all kinds, we left for Aswan.
I was back in my room about 1330 and after a short rest, decided to venture to Elephantine Island. I wasn’t interested in the museum or ruins there, so settled for a walk through the Nubian village. It wasn’t anything I had never seen so it turned out to be a very quick outing.
-
- Going to Elephantine Island.
-
- Aswan on the Nile.
-
- Leafy walkways on Elephantine Island through the Nubian village.
