The Travel Bug: Wonders of Egypt #3/12 (Abu Simbel)

Abu Simbel is not usually on the standard tour package itinerary, and this was one of the customisations of the trip that we requested for. We managed to squeeze it in between the Cairo and Aswan parts of our trip by flying over from Cairo. Most others will do Abu Simbel as a day trip from Aswan, departing on the 3h bus ride at about 4am in the morning as part of a convoy. We strongly recommend that you do not spend a night in Abu Simbel. There is absolutely nothing to do there once you're done with the temple.

This was probably the most tiring and most taxing part of our trip. Located furthest south, the temperature was around 40degrees celsius, and there was absolutely no shelter to shield you from the scorching sun and cloudless sky as you embark on the 15 minutes walk from the entrance to the temple itself.

The pain was more or less worth enduring, as this Hillman Wonder is truely amazing. The temple was originally located slightly further down the hill, but with the rising waters due to the High Dam threatening to flood the temples, Unesco helped to rescue both the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor by relocating them uphill.

The 4 statues carved into the face of the cliff at the entrance are all of Ramesses II. In the process of moving the temple, the damaged statue was not restored, but transported exactly as it had been found.

Entering the temple, you are surrounded by pillars lining the entrance and stone carvings on the walls. The figures are all of Ramesses!

One of the rooms inside the temple.

4 statues sit inside the Holy of Holies, and twice a year the rays of the sun would enter the temple and shine upon just 3 of the statues on the right. The 4th statue on the left was Ptah, God of the Underworld, hence it was to always remain in the dark.

To be continued...