UPPER EGYPT - ABU SIMBEL

We left our cruise boat at Aswan and ventured on South to Abu Simbel by local bus. Our journey took us to within thirty miles of the border with Sudan and well South of the Tropic. The hotel in Abu Simbel was within walking distance of the temple of Ramses II. At the time the High Dam was built at Aswan,and the valleys above flooded, the temple was moved lock-stock-and-barrel to higher ground

The hotel construction was with mud bricks and a mortar top-coat. In the grounds an antique Sakia (water wheel) was set up.

UPPER EGYPT - KOM OMBO & ASWAN

Our cruise boat called at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. We encountered some eager aquatic souvenir sellers en route.

The temple at Kom Ombo was floodlit at night.

Architectural features such as Ptolemic column capitals were much in evidence at the Philae site at Aswan.

UPPER EGYPT - CRUISING THE NILE

We cruised the Nile to Aswan in great luxury, cocktails and all, and in stark contrast to the subsistence agriculure evident on its banks.

UPPER EGYPT - NEW LIFE

While cycling around the West bank we also saw a young donkey. Donkeys and donkey carts are ubiquitous along the Nile and tractors are still rare by comparison.

UPPER EGYPT - TREE FROM OUTER SPACE

In our hotel garden on the West bank of the Nile we encoutered this amazing tree (warts and all). The trunk was huge - at least two feet in diameter.

UPPER EGYPT - TOMB PAINTING

We also cycled up to the Valley of the Kings for a second visit and took in the wall painting in the tombs. This one is atypical (most have heirogliphics and pictures).

UPPER EGYPT - MEDINAT HABU

Together with Tazeena Firth and Robert and Jill Watson we made a side trip to Upper Egypt in early March.

Luxor was our starting point. We stayed on the West bank, where had already seen many of the sights, but not the amazing temple at Medinat Habu. We rode there on rented bikes. It was mostly constructed by Ramses III. Despite the passage of more than three milennia there are still some pretty vivid colours on the walls and ceilings.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY

When diving on the wreck at Bluff Point. Pixi went down with Robert and Jill Watson and Peter (Foxy) Fox and tried out a waterproof housing for her Sony camera.

FISHING ON THE WAY BACK FROM TEWILA ISLAND

We spent the weekend around Tewila Island about 11 miles from Abu Tig marina. Pixi did a wreck dive with some friends on Sunday then on Monday morning we headed back. Of course, morning-time is good for fishing and so we hung out a line. Sure enough we hooked a fish. It was our second tuna caught on the same lure and was a bit bigger than the first. Pixi was soon on the internet looking for recipes.

"AT HOME" IN ABU TIG MARINA ON THE RED SEA

After traversing the Suez Canal and a trip up the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan, "Intsomi" and her crew are resting in Abu Tig marina near Hurghada in Egypt. We are enjoying visits from family members. Pixi's mum is in the picture. If you click on the picture you may be able to make out "Intsomi" in the background. Pixi is getting back into diving and Bill is trying to kite surf (mmmmmm....). At present, Bill's speciality is the "body-drag" but when (if) he finally gets up we'll have to post it on the Blog. Abu Tig is part of the huge El Gouna resort, a rather smart "ghetto" North of Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.