Aswan

Arrived at Aswan just after 9 am and immediately started our tour of the High Dam which was heavily guarded by soldiers - not much you can say about a Dam.  Followed this with a visit to the unfinished Obelisk – huge bit of granite in a quarry of granite – nothing exciting in my book.  We then went to the Philae Temple – Wow – this is what we were waiting to see.  Incredible temple that had been drowned by the Aswan Dam for 2 years and rescued by 18 countries who paid to have it dismantled and reassembled on higher ground.  Words can’t describe the sheer grandeur of this place and having Mohammed tell the history and transcribe the hieroglyphics was very special.  Again only saw about 6 other people there so had a really good look around.  It was extremely hot and by lunch time we had had enough and back to the bus for transfer to our hotel as we were desperate for a shower.

Arrived at the Movenpick Hotel, which is on one of the islands in the Nile,  had a long cool drink and a swim followed by a shower, updating the blog and getting ready for high tea.

view of the Nile from hotel room

Tomorrow we join the Nile cruise after sailing in a felucca around the islands in the Nile and a visit to a Nubian village.  We will not have internet again until we return to Cairo Friday night.