AswanDay 9Click on the symbol above to see the Photos for Day 9 We were now in Aswan, and after breakfast went off to explore the town and send some emails. Also bought Menatel cards and phoned home - mainly to rub it in that they weren't here! That afternoon we headed off to ride Camels up to St Simeons monastery. Camels are not particularly comfortable to sit on, although I seemed to be alone in that view. I think it's a case of too much horse riding, I kept trying to pick the stride so I could go with it, and there wasn't one. You basically just rock around all over it. I managed to shift around so much that my cushion went flying out from under me nearly taking me with it......not a good look. Had to start all over again then....and it's not that easy staying on when they get up and down! Anyway, they were good fun - couldn't imagine being on one for too long though.... That evening we had our last night on the boat. Most people went to the Philae temple Sound and Light show - I was too tired after the party the night before, and was facing an early start (3am!!!) for Abu Simbel. So I settled my bar bill (which was not inconsiderable!), then built it up again sitting in the outside bar watching the sun go down - being taught Nubian backgammon by Arafa (I'm sure he was cheating!). When I got back to the room later on, the staff had made the towels into the shape of a heart for our last night.
Day 10Click on the symbol above to see the Photos of Abu Simbel Woke up just after I'd gone to sleep (or so it felt!) to go to Abu Simbel - 3am! They have to move you in large bus convoys for security, so timing was crucial. Hopped on the bus with our breakfast boxes, and then couldn't get back to sleep until we were five minutes away.....however, got to see an amazing sunrise over the desert, and loads of mesas, buttes and kopjies, so I was happy (and Miss Montgomery my geography teacher in Standard 9 would be so proud!). Kirsten was looking after us for the day, as Julia had drawn the short straw and had to stay back and organise the move from the boat to the hotel (complicated by the fact each group was going to a different hotel). Kirsten found us a guide, and we got the story of the temples, and how they were moved when the dam was built and was going to flood them. Truly awesome sights - you don't realise how big they are until you're standing next to one of Ramses feet (and he has many - why build one statue of yourself when you can build four???) and it's twice the height you are. Ramses built a temple for Nefertari there as well - his favourite wife (also his 19th wife - took him a while to get it right I guess!). Back to the hotel in Aswan, where I elected to have my first bath of the holiday rather than lunch....utter bliss after all those showers. That evening we headed out to dinner at Omar's house in a Nubian village. The boat trip out was great - a band suddenly appeared from the roof of the boat, and started playing traditional music and getting everyone up dancing. Then they launched into their own version of "She'll be coming round the mountain". Dinner was really lovely, and a few of us had henna tattoos done. I got six mini Eyes Of Horus round my arm. Then back to the hotel to get ready for another early start....6am train to Cairo for everyone else and Luxor for me and Deanna.
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