OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO ASWAN

From Cairo the transport was overnight train around 13 hours on this... another experience... especially with around a 3rd of the tour group coming down with 'upset tummies' (extreme euphemism). We did manage to pass the night away with a cabin party though - at one stage there were around 15 of us in a 3-person cabin with Peter's neon flashing cellphone providing the lighting.

On arrival in Aswan we went to Phillae temple which was on an island. Here Hani (the tour guide) gave us a brief history lesson which involved great role playing from a number of the tour group.


Phillae Temple










Recreation of the birth of the god Horace


















Sunset at Phillae temple














From Aswan we took an early morning flight to Abu Simbal which was amazing - definately the best temple we saw. Abu simbal was created for King Ramses II and was carved entirely out of one mountain. The hyroglyphics and colours that are still present are mind-boggoling. What is even more amazing is that this entire mountain of temple has been moved. 6 years ago it was moved because of the flooding of the land in this area due to the Aswan dam. They cut the structure into 7000 enormous blocks and moved it about 100m further up the land.



Temple for Ramses II at Abu Simbal
















Sharyn with the Ankh(key of life)













'Recipies' for medicines from another temple














From Aswan we took a felucca cruise down the nile for 2 days. i left it up to the boys to take photos of this leg of the trip so will post those when I get a copy. It was so much fun though - we just lay in the sun all day long then sat round campfires at night.