A leisure ride on a sailboat brought another wonderful day to an end. Amr, our guide, demonstrated how clear and pure the Nile is by drinking a glass full of it. But our days truly never end. We made our way back to the cruise ship where we donned our Egyptian apparel and partied like an Egyptian.
We walked through colorful markets where we found perfumes, spices, oils and traditional talismans and souvenirs, along with fashions and other sundries. The US Dollar was very strong in Egypt and you could purchase a lot with just a dollar.
As we sailed the Nile in our Felucca, memories from Sunday School came flooding back. I remembered when I was young and the story of Moses in the basket. You could just imagine the basket floating in the bulrushes and the Princess finding the baby. The River was so quiet and serene. A perfect end to our perfect day.
Day 8 – November 5, 2024
We returned to the Nile and boarded a Felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat. We sailed to Elephantine Island. The island is home to two serene Nubian villages. It once played an integral role in the ivory trade. We visited with Mr Muhammad, in his home, as he explained the history and cultural of Nubians. .
Mr. Muhammad, an 80 year old Nubian that graciously opened his home to us.
stove and heat for the home
We also enjoyed a quick visit to the school.
They told us of their plans for their future. They wanted each of us to sit with them at their desk!
The children showed off their math skills.
The school had a very good library and computer lab also.
Day 8 – November 5, 2024
No free time for us as we trek to Abu Simbel, by Egyptair. The temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari were originally carved into the mountainside. They were painstakingly relocated to save them from being submerged by the damming of the Nile. These temples stand as monumental testaments to ancient Egyptian artistry and engineering. These remarkable structures boast intricate hieroglyphics and stunning sculptures. They tell stories of power and devotion. These stories reflect the grandeur of a civilization that flourished millennia ago. As we approach, the sheer scale and beauty of the temples captivate our senses. They invite us to imagine the vibrant ceremonies and daily life. These events once echoed within these hallowed walls.
Egyptian Crop Circles? No they are aqueducts to supply water to a very arid desert area.
Day 7 – November 4, 2024
Uncovering the wonders of the Temple of Kom Ombo. Dedicated to the deities Sobek and Horus, it was constructed as two symmetrical temples aligned in parallel. They were initially built during the Ptolemaic period. The Romans expanded them after conquering Egypt. This resulted in a blend of both local and Greco-Roman architectural styles.
It was originally an Egyptian city called Nubt. This means City of Gold. (It is not to be confused with the city north of Naqada that was also called Nubt/Ombos). Nubt is also known as Nubet or Nubyt (Nbyt). It became a Greek settlement during the Greco-Roman Period. The town’s location on the Nile was 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Aswan (Syene). This gave it some control over trade routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley. Its main rise to prominence came with the erection of the Temple of Kom Ombo in the 2nd century BC.
The beautiful sunset and the rising moon, created an peaceful atmosphere.
Day 7 – November 4, 2024
We began this day exploring one of the best preserved temples in Egypt – The Temple of Horus. This is a classic example of Ptolemaic architecture. It has massive stone walls and towering pylons. It is also one of the few temples in Egypt where inscriptions on its walls describe how it was built. They also show how it was used in ancient times.
To realize the size of the structures and to imagine being built without modern machinery is beyond comprehension.
DAY 6 – NOVEMBER 3, 2024
After seeing the Valley of the Kings from the Air we went to explore it closer.. It is a series of tombs nestled between rugged rocky terrain. This setting contrasts with the lush greenery of the Nile’s Eastern bank. We entered King Tut’s tomb, which contained treasures a pharaoh would need in the afterlife. These included clothing, food, chariots, games, and ceremonial items. These precious artifacts have since been relocated and are now seen in the museum. However, the tomb is still resting midst richly adorned walls.
KING TUT
Day 5 (Nov 2)
We were up at dawn to fly to Luxor, where we boarded our cruise ship Jaz Celebrity , home for the next four days. After checking in on the ship and grabbing lunch we were off to the temple of Karnak.
It’s said that 30 pharaohs presided over the building of the temple, sprawling and vast ancient site. Seeing the Precinct of AmunRe, whose mud brick wall stretched over one and a half miles around. Gaze over extensive hieroglyphic descriptions, marking moments in history and end at the temple of Khonsu. A smaller more intimate temple, dedicated to the god of time and the moon. Then off to explore the complex at the Abu Hagag mosque, although the structure itself only dates to the 13th century, it’s site has been used as a place to worship for more than 3500 years and is still in use today
An evening walking tour through Luxor temple located on the banks of the Nile river was beautiful as the sun set. An avenue of human-headed sphinxes created a dramatic and inspiring entrance. The temple unfolds with a series of striking and architectural elements that include massive columns, colossal statues and hieroglyphics.
Day 4 (Nov 1)
A guided tour of Giza was on the agenda for today. We stood in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza. They are the only Wonder of the Ancient World to have survived into the modern era. Built to stand as tall as 480 feet, the Great Pyramid of Giza continues to amaze. It impresses with its size and construction precision. Several of us entered the Pyramid where you had to crawl and stoop to get to the main burial room. Once there, we posed for a picture in the burial area. Then, we made our way back out of the tomb. Riding a Camel at the Pyramids has been on my bucket list forever. Today I fulfilled that dream! The 4,500 year old Great Sphinx was next. It is the largest monolithic statue in the world. It was carved from a single limestone bedrock.
Adventures with Cindy 