Day 20: Abu Simbel

We checked out of the boat in the morning and headed off to the Aswan airport for quick day trip to Abu Simbel. We learned (from experience and the stories of other tourists) that Egypt Air does not operate on a “schedule” – planes just fly whenever. So we waited in the airport for almost 2 hours and finally we were off to Abu Simbel. It was worth the wait.

Abu Simbel is the location of two unique temples – different from all the other temples we have visited in Egypt. It was not constructed from quarry stones, but rather cut into a rock face. When the waters of Lake Nasser threatened to destroy Abu Simbel, it was moved to its current location and the uniqueness of the architecture was amazingly preserved.

Abu Simbel’s bigger and more famous temple was constructed to honor Ramses II. Four massive statues depicting his face sit, two on either side, in front of the entrance. Inside the Ramses II temple there are several rooms and the walls are decorated with beautiful and colorful scenes of Ramses vanquishing his enemies and standing with the gods. I particularly loved the scene showing Ramses II on a chariot with three arms firing arrows in rapid succession, as his horses gallop toward his cowering enemies (sadly no photos inside the temple here).
Me and Ramses II Temple.
Paul and Ramses II Temple.
And us together in front of Ramses II Temple.
Massive statues of Ramses II sitting at the entry.

The smaller temple was built to honor Ramses II’s wife, Nefertari (the beauty of the beauties). Six tall statues stand at the entrance to Nefertari’s temple, three on either side. Four depict Ramses II, and two depict Nefertari. That Ramses II definitely thought well of himself! At the feet of the statues, smaller figures stand, representing Ramses II and Nefertari’s children. Inside the Nefertari temple the walls are similarly decorated with beautiful and colorful scenes, most notably the “sexy” figure of Nefertari in a sheer dress.
Temple for Nefertari.
Me at the Temple for Nefertari. Even the small statues of children were taller than me!

After a couple of hours exploring Abu Simbel, we were back on Egypt Air and headed for our last night stay in Aswan. We stayed at the Moevenpick on Elephantine Island and had to take a little boat to get to the hotel. The hotel was nice and had a tall tower with gorgeous views of the island and the Nile. We were completely exhausted and spent the evening relaxing, looking out on pretty Aswan, and watching an embarrassingly bad, not to be named movie.
View of our hotel on Elephantine Island from the boat.

View of the Nile from our room.
Looking out on Aswan from the top of our hotel.