Today we take the optional flight and tour to Abu
Simbel. Here we are arriving at the entry gates. The flat hill in
the background is the back of the monument.
We are standing in front of the monument looking back at Lake Nasser.
The cove you see here is the original site of the temple. Because of the
rising waters from the Aswan Dam, they had to cut the temple into pieces
and move it up here.
Here is the original facade.
This is our official tour group photo. Don't ask me all their names.
We take the water with us everywhere. Two bottles for a dollar (or five
Egyptian pounds) on the bus.
The ever-present Horus.
The head and crown have broken off and fallen at the feet. The rond part
is the crown. When they moved the temple, they decided to move it as they
found it, instead of putting it back together.
To the right of the main temple is the Temple of Nefertari (no, not Nefertiti).
The statues alway show the left leg forward, because that's the side
the heart is on. This signifies that the representation is of the person
when they are still alive.
Back from the tour, we hop on the boat and start our cruising down the
Nile.
The lush countryside on the banks.
Approaching the Temple of Kom
Ombo at night.
If you look under the eaves, you can see some of the original color showing
through.
More handiwork of the Coptic Christians.
A lot of the tours result in open-mouthed gaping.
The crocodile god.
Notice the gods pouring the ankhs (symbolizing life) over the king.
The stone in the innermost room of the temple where the "holy of
holies" rests. The holy of holies is a wooden boat that is carried
around the temple as a blessing.
I do like the night lighting of the temples, and the temperature is better
for visiting as well (only 90 instead of 105).
Behind the temple is the walkway where the citizenry can walk and read
the stories of the gods. Normal citizens were not allowed inside the temples,
at least past the open court area.
These engravings show some early medical instruments in the center, and
the birthing chair on the left.
