Abu Simbel. Wow!

Sunday, March 22, 2015
Abu Simbel, Abu Simbel, Egypt
It was haaaarrrrrd getting out of bed at 2.45am for the drive to Abu Simbel, but worth it. The reason for the early call is to ensure you meet the convoy. You have to be part of a tourist convoy that has security guarding it. They have an empty bus leading and ending the convoy (in case of any breakdowns.) Each bus in the convoy also has to have an armed security guard. We have to cross through desert which is not considered fully secure thus the extra security. If your bus is late, too bad you miss out. Same deal on the way out. If you're late you stay in the nearby town until the next day and catch the convoy back.
Abu Simbel is mind blowing . It is really stunning. So massive and so beautiful and just so fricking old. Ramses II was one helluva guy!
The size of the temple is amazing and of course the carvings inside are stunning. Originally carved from one rock, it is a sight to behold.
Ramses II has his amazing temple, and there is a second temple dedicated to his wife Neferteri.

We had a long drive back to Aswan. I think we lost our convoy along the way back! On return to Aswan we went to a very well known restaurant called El Masry. At this place you order your main meal which is basically your protein. Then you just sit back while the food keeps flooding on to your table. There is soup and dips, vegetables and rice and bread. It's amazing value. Very typical Egyptian food. After dinner we headed to the local market and bought some spices. Then some of us had a meander through the market. I have to say the people are lovely and they have so few tourists at the moment so considering that they weren't too full on with trying to make a sale. Most people love to have a chat and were really nice. We gradually made our way home. Mike was snoozing. He'd managed to get into a bizarre position sleeping on his head. At least he found a way to get comfortable.
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Comments

Karolina
2015-03-24

Abu Simbel definitely worth the visit. Wow, the security seems full on - which is comforting - and not - all at the same time. Michael seems to be smiling a lot despite his pain. It is an amazing place, huh?

annmennen
2015-03-25

Everything is amazing!

2025-02-06

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