ASWAN DAY 1 - TEMPLE OF PHILAE
We got to Aswan mid-morning and checked into the Cleopatra Hotel. Shortly thereafter, we took a short boat ride to the Temple of Philae. The Temple was originally flooded after the High Dam had been constructed. However, the Temple was moved to a new (present) location - block by block - with a grant from UNESCO in the early '70s.
A view of the Temple of Philae from the boat
Another view of the Temple of Philae from the boat
Yours truly at the Temple of Philae
Later that afternoon, we took a short sail boat ride on the Nile. These boats are locally known as "feluccas". The sail was fun to begin with.....we had a steady breeze that kept us going at a good clip, and also cooled us down some on this hot afternoon. However, at some point the breeze died off and we kinda sat in the water with the sun beating down on us! We were entertained by a constant stream of kids in little paddle boats who would draw up alongside and sing songs in a language of your choice! Spanish...Engllish...Italian....I'm sure they had no idea what they were singing, nonetheless, their command over these languages was impressive!
Soon the crew of the sail boat realized that we really werent having much fun anymore, and convinced one of the motor launches to tow us to the shore.
Feluccas on the Nile near Aswan