6th Voyage to Egypt: Nile Cruise from 31st January to 7th February, 2008

Another Nile Cruise! Because I have a year free of work, I can travel a lot. So we - my mother Irene and me - booked another voyage which was not very costly - destination Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and back, but we didn't order the accompanying excursion programme. It contains a lot of temple which we have visited lots of times before, so we decided to make our own programme, just seeing temples and places we haven't seen yet. And that was so nice, that this voyage just wasn't "another" Nile cruise voyage, but a very special one.

1st day: 31st January, 2008: Luxor

We flew from Berlin to Luxor and arrived there late afternoon. It was so cold, some 10 - 15 Celcius degree... They took us to our ship the "MS. Royal Regency", but that ship wasn't very royal. In fact, it was the worst ship I have ever experienced in Egypt. But never mind, we are here for visiting temples, not enjoying ships... The very same evening we took off from Luxor - on our way to Aswan.

2nd day: 1st February, 2008: Edfu & Kom Ombo

That morning we arrived at the small town named Edfu. We went to the Horus-Temple, a very nice one, because it is the most fully preserved temple in Egypt.
Then our ship left for Kom Ombo, where we arrived in darkness. The temple there was lightened very romantically. We knew it, but we decided to go in once again, because it looked so beautiful.

3rd day: 2nd February, 2008: Aswan

We made our own programme here in Aswan: By feluka, a local sail boat, we travelled to the other side of the river, the west side of Aswan, where - same as in Luxor - the tombs of the royals are located. We visited them and found them astonishing. Some were very large. A guide took us to the publically open tombs. After that, we took camels to ride to the monastery of Simeon, which is very large. One can see the chambers there, bathrooms, kitchens and, of course, the great chapel. It's nice. One hasn't to ride on camels to go there. It is not far from the tombs of the Nobles, so one can walk easily, but take enough water with you! - From the monastery we rode to the quarry nearby, where there is also an unfinished obelisk.
In the evening we visited the Nubian Museum, a modern one. It is nice, has some astonishing artefacts and also shows the history of the Blemmyes in parts. Take some time, if you go there. It's quite large.

4th day: 3rd February, 2008: Aswan

We took a feluka to the island of Elefantine. There is a large place with old temples and a museum. One can get an overlook on the whole history of Egypt. In the Museum you will not only find mummies of humans and animals, but also things from the tombs of the nobles of Aswan. Outside you can easily walk for another two or three hours. It's so large! There are maps showing from which time these temples and remaining buildings are. In old times, Elefantine was the place where the people have settled, not Aswan. So here you can find a lot of archaeology. Don't miss Elefantine Island! There are also artefacts brought from other places, sometimes whole temples. So here we can find the old temple of Kalabsha, which was very interesting for me, because we have visited Kalabsha half a year ago, and it is an important place connected to the Blemmyes.
In the afternoon we took a taxi to the place where the boats go to Philae Island, but unfortunately the temple was already closed. But at 6 p. m. there was a "Sound-and-Light-Show" in German language, so we decided to wait for enjoying that show. In the darkness, the boats took us to the island and there we saw the almost best show of all Egypt Sounds-and-Lights we ever saw. It was very romantically. First they take you through the main temple, and then you are seated and just listened to the show and the nice lights.
Our day wasn't yet over: Aboard the ship there was the Nubian Show with a lot of dancing, musicians and fun. A horse was dancing, too.

5th day: 4th February, 2008: Aswan, back to Luxor

In the morning we went to the local market called "Souk" which is famous in Aswan. It is located in the street parallel to the shore promenade.
Our ship left Aswan at midday time, going back to Luxor. We saw some temples and also trains on the shores. In the evening we celebrated the traditional "Galabiya"-party. Every guest should join in a typical Egyptian dress. They made some nice plays at this party.

6th day: 5th Feburary, 2008: Luxor

Breakfast at 9 a.m. The ship arrived very late in Luxor, at 10.30 a. m. We went to a local travel shop and ordered two journeys: one the next day, one the same day to the west shore of Luxor. There we saw all the places we haven't visited until now: First Medinet Habu, a temple of Ramses III., and it was so beautiful. The colours were brighten, and the two colummed halls so amazing. If you are in Luxor, just go there. After that temple we went to the tombs of the Nobles and visited five beautiful tombs, all very good preserved. Then straight to the Ramasseum, that is the temple of Ramses II., the great one. Here one can see the hugest statue of himself, lying on the floor, but incredible gigantic. Last thing we saw was Deir el Medina, the village where the workers of the Valley of the Kings lived. They made their own tombs there too, so we visited tombs, the old village, and also a temple of Hathor, which was quite younger than the rest, built by Ptolemy IV.

			Pictures from our day in Thebes West

7th day: 6th February, 2008: Abydos and Dendera

At 7.30 a.m. our bus to Abydos & Dendera took off. First we went to the farther north lying Abydos, driving in convoi. Abydos is the temple of Seti I. It is huge, really! You can see a lot there. Outstanding is the Gallery of the Kings: cartouches from all kings of Egypt to Seti I. who is standing in front of these cartouches together with his young son Ramses II. Behind Seti's temple lies the Osireion. In Abydos Osiris is buried mythically. After some midday meal in front of the temple the convoi took of back the street to Luxor, stopping in Dendera, which is the temple of Hathor. It's really nice and has lots of astrological drawings, frescos, and some kind of a secret chamber (the crypt) - don't miss it! Some paintings are beautifully preserved.
One hour time driving to Luxor, where we spent some evening time shopping in the Souks.

8th day: 7th February, 2008: Luxor, flying home

We have had some time, because our flight back was late. So we walked down the corniche, the shore promenade - up to the Karnak temple and back. Then we sunbathed before going back in cold wintertime Germany. What a nice panorama - the ship lying in front of the temple of Luxor!