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Published: January 3rd 2011
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The whole reason for travelling so far South in Egypt was to visit
Abu Simbel. Next door to our hotel was the travel agency
Swan Tours so we decided to put our trust in them. We knew that tourists had to travel in an armed convoy and that it left at something ridiculous like 3am. Therefore we were mightily relieved when they told us that there was also an 11am convoy. Unfortunately we got into an argument with them when they wouldn't give us a receipt for our money. "But we are the famous Swan tour agency, why do you want a receipt?" they asked. Eventually we got a note saying we had paid for our tour!
Although it is possible to travel on a public bus at different times without the convoy, we decided to take the comfortable option of a private car which left us with no options. First of all we had to go the the place where the armed convoy would begin. There must have been a hundred vehicles there! Soon we were on our way and leaving town. Although we passed close to the High Aswan Dam, we didn't get a view of it. We then
proceeded to speed through the desert leaving us wondering why we had to travel in convoy if that convoy then spread out over several miles as soon as it got moving. The scenery was impressive but three hours of it had us pleased to have brought our ipods along! The natural pyramids were quite a sight but we were often left with our hearts in our mouths as we overtook another car with oncoming traffic looming large ahead. Two days later
tragedy was to strike the night-time convoy but it was sadly no great surprise. Our hearts go out to the survivors of the awful crash and the families and friends of the victims.
On arrival at Abu Simbel we had to get past the tacky touristy shops, find the ticket office and have a quick look around the visitors' centre. There is a lot of information to read about the relocation of the temples to save them from the flood when Lake Nasser was created. It was very well put together and the miniature models of the two temples whet our appetite for what was to come.
Seeing the Grand Temple of Ramses II in broad daylight was amazing. Seeing it at sunrise
must be indescibable and perhaps it is worth the effort of the early start! Four huge statues of Ramses sit at the temple's entrance and inside huge columns dwarf the visitors and the wonderful paintings which adorn the walls. It was just fantastic. Even the store rooms are intricately decorated with hieroglyphics and paintings. Photography is NOT allowed inside but Russ managed to sneak in a couple of shots.
Just a few hundred yards away is the "small" temple of Nefertiti. Again the beauty of the place was breathtaking but this time the no photography rule was very closely monitored! You can spend a long time just gazing at the walls but you will never be alone! There are many, MANY other tourists there with you all the time!!!
It seems that there isn't much to say about a visit to Abu Simbel. It is simply beyond words and is an unmissable sight of Southern Egypt. We were relieved to get back to Aswan in one piece though, so have some valium ready for the journey, or fly!!
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The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas
Another interesting blog and yet more great photos!