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.