Kom Ombo Temple

Upon disembarking our falucca, after three days of sailing, we got in a van and drove about 20 min to Kom Ombo Temple.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty in the Egyptian town of Kom Ombo. Some additions to it were later made during the Roman period. The building is unique because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder, along "with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor) and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands)." The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis. (Copied and pasted from Wikipedia).







These columbs, which stand outside the temples main entrance were cut by Muslim invader for use in building a mill of some sort.










A series of inscriptions are in the temple showing and naming many of the known theives of the day. This picture shows what is done to theives here: they are forced to allow a lion to eat off their hand.





This temple had some of the best preserved wall carvings of any of the temples or ruins I saw. The number of hours it would have taken to do this would be astonishing. The work on the walls stands in contrat with the temple of Ramses II in which most of the paint is still easily visible on the wall carvings. The style of wall sculpting can also be seen to bee much more detailed in Kom Ombo then in the temples erected earlier.





A view of Kom Ombo from the coartyard

My Darling Son

I DID read your posting in order>...(To all others...start at the bottom and read up)...It was wonderful to follow your trip!

I can only dream of how exciting it is to touch and feel those ancient stones. Your pictures are so appreciated...I look every day.....and am filled to the brim with excitement when you have left your trail!

I got a real kick out of some of your photography tricks ....my favorite being Vicky picking up the pyramids....Every pictures emits such joy and happiness. it was interesting to hear you tell about how dirty the city was and it made me so glad that you saw it before you decided to go there to work!

I adored the pictures of the children. Take as many as you can....I would love to do a photo book on children from around the world....from the places you have been. I especially love the elementary group. Remember the one you took of the children in the rain...on your travels last year. Get a few up-close...to show their beauty!!! Oh I wish I could be with you as your personal photographer.

The boat trip sounded amazing...tell Vicky when I see her again I shall be asking her how she solved the no bathroom dilema!! LOL!

The train ride sounded hairy....but I must say it was nice that you could sleep through it all. I was pleased that you did capture at least one shot. Did you take any pics inside the train?

Oh Daniel, it great that you have Vicky to share it all with. I really think we will see you both this summer cause Dad and I are planing to be out for some of our summer...want to be there for the birth of Baby Standring...and I will be waiting for a SLIDE show and BIG presentation on all of this....smile, smile.

Meantime do keep our appetite wet and keep on posting. I know that you have expressed how LONG it takes to gives us a peek.....but for us on this end of the globe....it means so much!!!

I will return the favor too.....Tomorrow we are having a dinner here at Heidi....and Sunday, Valentines day...Daddy has asked me to have something special for his girls and grand kiddies....So I am taking them bowling and then out for Chinese food(Canadian style). The girls as soooo pleased and excited....it was darling of Dad to send us all such a awesome gift too!

I will post, on Monday, you and of course Daddy some pictures of our events .

Until then...I await your new patch of travels pictures.....

Lovingly, Mother..xoxoxoxox

Posts up and Coming

Please start reading my Egypt travel post beginning with the one labled Dubai. I've made an effort to make all of these entries chronologically. I've got lots more to post but have been in this e-cafe for over three hours and am ready for the beach (My hotel is on the Red Sea).

Soon to come:
Temples, temples and more temples

and
quading across the desert (this was awesome)

I hope everyone is well.
I love you all.

Dan and Vicky: Terrorists at large

Sailing from Aswan to Luxor

Sailing down the Nile was amazing. It was nice to have a few days to observe some more remote area's along the Nile and catch some of Egypts rural beauty. Nothing but the sound of wind and rushing water for three days. Aside from Vicky being not so pleased initially that there was no bathroom facility on board eveything else was great. Our boats cook was excellect, and an iced cooler asured an ample supply of cold beer and wine.




The boat we sailed on was "The Nile Corcodile" (not crocodile). Here it is view from a hill on the Nile's banks.





Along with being exceptionally stylish, this headscarf also helped to protect my fragile pink skin from the Egyptian winter sun.




These boys lived near a beach we docked at on our second night. Again we were given the opportunity to buy beads and trinkets. They were cute.












On our last night, our boats crew (of three) got together with another boats crew (of 3 or 4), broke out the drums around the campfire and had a sweet sing along. Unfortunately I took the footage before I joined in the singing. The guys got a real kick out of me because I got so into the music. It was so fun.

Abu Simbel

I've already posted some pics from Abu Simbel earlier so I'll keep this one short.

It's too bad that taking pictures is not allowed inside the temples. The artwork inside is really spectacular.

Nubian Villiage

On our first Evening in Aswan (The place I last posted from) we boarded a Falucca and sailed up the river to a Nubian Village. The Nubian travel by foot, camel or Falucca.










The Children were excited to see the foreigners arrive in their village and came to greet us. These girls were selling cheap beads and bookmarks.




I visted the local school and then joined some Nubians for tea and shisha.



I take some time out to enjoy the playground



Holding a pet Crokodile

The Night Train from Cairo to Aswan

As the sun set on our last evening in Cairo, Vicky and I were astonished to find that our hotel room has a perfect view of the pyramids. We never notice before because it was impossible to see through the smog ;)






As the sun set over Cairo, we borded the over night train with first class tickets to Aswan. First class in Egypt means something very different than first class in Canada. It means you get a seat... and there won't be a goat beside you. I ended up taking out my sleeping bag and sleeping on the floor for the night. I slept like a log while my travelling companions stayd in their seats, slowly acquireing sore necks and sleepless faces. Moving to the floor allowed me to put up the armrest between Vicky's seat and my own, allowing her to sleep lying down on two seats.



The dirtiest windows I've ever seen. Surprisingly this was the cleanest window I could find on the train. The one in my car did not allow any view of the passing scenery.




I made friends with a goup of four Egyptian children on the train. This boy's name is Steven. I gave each of the children a coin from China. They must have felt the need to return the favor because two of the boys brought me an Egyptian coin each (like I didn't have a pocket full already). Of course I acted like their gift was very special. The girl brought me a twinkiee and the other boy a pice of candy nougat which I MMMMMMed the whole time I ate it.

The Pyramids of Giza

To see Egypt back in it's glory days would have been amazing. I found these structures to be awe inspiring. The pyramids, being purfectly smooth and chalk white, topped with a golden cap must have filled travellers with a sense of fear and wonder.

Cairo

Cairo is the antithesis of Dubai. It is a filthy city. I had been thinking about taking a job in this city until I came here. Aside from the ratty appearance held by most of the city, the air quality is the worst I have ever experienced. Cairo makes the air in China's major cities seem like fresh air. The city literally smell like an exahust pipe. This being said, I had a great time visiting the city. After all, it does hold the Cairo Museum and the Pyramids of Giza, not to mention a huge street market.





The urban sprall here is insane





Sugar dates... Sugar dates and figs... Sugar dates and pistachios




The Cairo Museum

Dubai

Dubai is one of the most immaculate cities I have ever seen. There are so many beautiful and stylized buildings. Even the high-way overpasses are beautifully painted and decorated. The Burj Dubai, now renamed the Burj Khalifa is an incredible testament to what man can accomplish. The building is so tall that it is not possible to fit the whole thing into my camera's frame. It is nearly 1km tall. Though Dubai is full of tall buildings, the are all dwarfed by the burj. I've tried to include a few pics of the building, but it is impossible to communicate the feeling one gets standing beside a collosus like this. This is the tallest structure ever built by man. Tower of Babble: eat your heart out.
















After lunch, Vicky and I wandered Dubai for a bit. I thought this mosque was particularly pretty.


I copied and pasted this photo from wikipedia since they clearly had a camera capable of wider angles than mine.


Hi everyone I thought I'd write an update of where V and I are. We are presently in Hurghada and taking the day to relax and visit the internet. It's bloody slow here... I've got soooo many pictures. I will try to post them in the same order as we visited the sights.

Seeing as the first place we stopped in was Dubai, I'll start with some pics from there.

We are having an unimmaginably great time here. I hope you are all well.

Dan

Auntie DeeDee's wonderful pictures!

Wow DeeDee....your photos of the animals are fantastic....I sure hope you put them on the pentax sight and show them what your little humble K-m can do!

It must have been delightful to see these creatures....to be close enough to take photos....

Thanks for sharing....especially love the bird...is it a pink flamigo?

Lovingly your sister, Judithann.

HI DAN & VICKI!! ENJOYED YOUR POST FROM EGYPT WOW!! AT THE PYRMIDS & TEMPLES. HOW EXCITING! WILL ANXIOUSLY AWAIT ANY NEW POSTS & PITCURES!! SURE SOUNDS LIKE A FANTASTIC TRIP. LOVE TO YOU BOTH "AUNTIE" LAVINA.

Helllloooo from Aswan!!!!!

The Nile as seen from Abu Simbel (where V and I were this morning)

Nefertiti's Temple


Vicky at the entrance to the temple of Ramses II


Me in front of the temple of Ramses II



Hi everybody. I am presently in a very slow internet cafe in Aswan. It is a small beautiful town that sits on the edge of the Nile (as does every other place in Egypt). I have so many things to post, but can't bare to sit here for another hour. It's taken me that long to check my e-mail. For now I will post two pictures from the Temples at Abu Simbel. The size of these things is breath taking, especially when you consider that they were all built without the benefit of machines (I guess slavery does have it's upsides...). Unfortunately pictures are not allowed inside these temples. There is not a single spot in these temples that lacks adorning artwork. The two temples, which stand side by side are the temples of Ramses II and of his wife Nefertiti.

Adventures I will post proactively will include:
my visit to Dubai and the worlds largest building.
Around Cairo
The Pyramids and the Sphinx
Around Aswan
My visit to a Nubian Village

Tomorrow, Vicky and I will set sail down the Nile for 3 days aboard a Felucca (a traditional, single sailed Egyptian vessel). We will be sailing from here in Aswan, all the way to Luxor. I'll be sure to post some pics from this as well.

We are having a fantastic time and loving Egypt very much.

My Love to you all

PS - I'm allergic to Camels (big surprise)