Driving from Luxor to Aswan – Part 2

After driving for about two and a half hours we reached Kom Ombo Temple. Normally when you visit Kom Ombo you do so after sailing down the Nile until you reach the Temple and you disembark and approach the Temple by foot. On previous occasions we reached Kom Ombo in the early evening and made the visit just as the sun was going down. As the Temple is beautifully lit it’s a breathtaking site as you look at it from your ship. You then walk through the streets, climbing gently upwards until you reach the Temple entrance.

On this occasion, because we were coming in from the road rather than the river we came to the Temple from the rear, parked and then walked around to the entrance. It was at that point that we recognised where we were as we saw the view down over the streets to the river bank where our Nile cruise ship would have berthed.

It was around 12 noon when we entered the Temple and it was very quiet, which gave us the opportunity to take our time and we could really enjoy Emad’s knowledgable descriptions of the architecture of the Temple, the meanings of the wonderful hieroglyphics and the story behind the original construction of the Temple.

It truly is a breathtaking place and it’s hard, as always in Egypt, to try and envisage just how the Ancient Egyptians could physically construct such massive building with the tools that they had at the time.

Since our last visit the Temple authorities have opened up the Crocodile Museum, which explains the relevance and importance of the crocodile in the history of the Temple. It’s very much a state of the art feature and adds even more to the enjoyment ofÂ a visit to Kom Ombo.

If you are taking a Nile cruise I really think you will find Kom Ombo Temple one of the highlights of your trip.

From Kom Ombo we then drove the relatively short distance to Aswan where we were to stay at the Movenpick Aswan Hotel. Continue reading “Driving from Luxor to Aswan – Part 2”

December 3, 2012December 3, 2012

Driving from Luxor to Aswan

Day three of our trip involved us driving by road from Luxor to the beautiful city of Aswan (or Asswan as its’ correctly spelt). Barbara and I have visited Aswan on a number of occasions but each time we have arrived by Nile cruise ship. As we’ve sailed down the Nile to Aswan we’ve seen the road that seems to follow the river and often wondered what the drive would be like.

We’ve also seen the railway track that at certain points seems to hug the river too. As we’ve sailed we’ve watched the farmers tending their fields as well as the people who’s settlements and houses are perched right on the river bank. Driving down gave us the opportunity to see what was on the other side of the bank and drive through the various small towns on the way to Aswan.

In total the drive took us about two and a half to three hours but our driver wasn’t’ rushing and often we found ourselves caught up in reasonably busy traffic. So I imagine we could have arrived in Aswan more quickly but we weren’t’ in a rush.

What was really noticeable was the intense greenery of the fields and farms between the road and the Nile and the almost complete desert conditions of the land on the other side of the road. According to conversations we had on the drive the majority of Egypt’s citizens live either on the edges of the Nile or in Cairo. From the lush greenery of the land beside the Nile you can see why. For mile after mile we passed field after field of banana trees, corn, cabbages and other root vegetables being tended by farmers and workers who seemed oblivious to the almost 30 degree heat. Continue reading “Driving from Luxor to Aswan”

November 30, 2012November 30, 2012

Visiting Luxor – Day 2 continued…

Visiting Luxor – Day 2 continued

After our stomach-busting lunch at the wonderful Lebanese restaurant at the Steigenberger Nile Palace we were then invited to have a look at some of the hotel’s rooms and facilities, which I have to say were very impressive. The standard twin rooms are very good but if you request the rooms with Nile views, for a small extra charge, then I think you’ll have the perfect base for your stay in Luxor.

Even more impressive are the standard suites that can accommodate 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Having a main bedroom and a lounge, the children can be accommodated by using the large double sofa as a bed. Superior rooms have large terraces and wonderful panoramas of the Nile.

The hotel boasts several restaurants including Nubian, Lebanese and Italian which will give guests the opportunity to eat in different surroundings each night. With 2 outdoor swimming pools and excellent gym facilities and tennis courts the Steigenberger is an excellent hotel if your based in Luxor after your Nile cruise.

After our visit to the Steigenberger Nile Palace we took the opportunity to return to the Maritim Jolie Ville to re-charge our batteries as we were booked to see the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple that evening.

Sure enough, after what seemed the briefest time trying to catch 40 winks at the Jolie Ville it was time to catch our mini-bus transfer to Karnak Temple to enjoy the famous Sound and Light Show.

To reach Karnak Temple from the Jolie Ville entails travelling from one side of Luxor to the other. Not a long journey, maybe 20 minutes or so, and it was interesting to see Luxor at night and to drive along the Corniche as the residents took the opportunity to take an evening stroll in the warm atmosphere that Luxor enjoys almost year round.

On arrival at Karnak Temple it was clear from the number of coaches in the car park that there are still an awful lot of people visiting Egypt, and especially the Nile, from all over the world and we could hear all sorts of different languages being spoken as well as hearing lots of American, Australian, Canadian and South African accents.

Barbara and I have been to the Sound & Light Show at The Pyramids and that is really impressive and not to be missed so we were expecting much of the same. However the Sound and Light Show at Karnak is very different. It starts right amongst the Temple itself and the audience walks to various spots in the Temple ruins and the sound and light performances take place in and around the audience. As you can imagine the effect of the booming voices of the narrators as well as the atmospheric lighting create spine-tingling effects.

Each time a narration ends you are signaled to move deeper into the Temple’s ruins to see and hear more of the story of the Temple and of Ancient Egypt. Eventually you reach the “Sacred Lake” where you are invited to take seats facing the lake and the finale of the presentation takes place as you look to the far end of the lake which looks over Luxor city, the Nile and across the river to The Valley of The Kings. It was a magical experience.

Barbara and I would highly recommend it but I would emphasise that the ground underfoot throughout the presentation is very uneven and definitely not suited to those in wheelchairs or for anyone unsure of their footing. There were people in wheelchairs at the beginning of the show but they soon found it impossible to go forward after the initial narration and even those with walking difficulties were really struggling towards the end and were missing out on the experience as they were so far behind the narration by the time they had caught up.

I can only imagine that those people asked if the Sound and Light show was suitable for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties and had been told that it was. I’m not sure if that was because those who were asked were trying to be helpful and encouraging or if they were merely trying to sell tickets but I can state categorically that it is not suitable and if you are told otherwise then I would ignore that advice.

After our Karnak Temple experience we travelled over to the excellent 5 Star Sonesta St. George Hotel where we had been invited to have dinner and have a look around the hotel by the management but I’ll save that until tomorrows’ post.

November 27, 2012

Visiting Luxor – Day One

Hi again.

Following on from yesterday I’d like to tell you more about our latest visit to Egypt just over 15 days ago.

This time we flew from London Heathrow to Luxor on Egyptair’s scheduled flight and arrived at Luxor Airport about 8.00pm. After a short transfer we arrived at the hotel we would be based at for the next 2 nights, the Maritim Jolie Ville.

The Maritim Jolie Ville is located on Kings Island, an island situated in the Nile itself. It’s a Swiss-owned hotel and accommodation is in attractive bungalows located throughout the hotel’s extensive grounds. Our own accommodation was very spacious and quite luxurious and was about 5 minutes walk from the reception and the main restaurant.

With gardens that reach right to the edge of the Nile the hotel is uniquely placed and would provide a great base for those people seeking a really laid-back week in the sun. It has possibly the best equipped gym that I’ve ever seen in a hotel. The equipment, of which there was lots, was truly state-of-the-art and I personally could easily spend a few hours in a gym as well equipped as the Maritim’s. As well as the gym there is a superb spa and wellness area too and I know Barbara would have loved to have been able to book some of the many spa treatments that were on offer.

The gym facilities are totally free to guests but the various spa treatments would have to be paid for.

If you had taken a Nile cruise the week before, then a second week at the Maritim Jolie Ville would be a great choice of a hotel where you could totally chill out. Continue reading “Visiting Luxor – Day One”

April 12, 2012May 3, 2012

Kom Ombo Temple

Continuing our series of short articles about the sites and temples you’ll visit on your Nile Cruise here’s a short description of Kom Ombo Temple.

Kom Ombo Temple celebrates two different gods. It’s situated some 28 miles north of Aswan on a bend on the River Nile and was a favourite basking spot for crocodiles in times gone by. So it’s understandable that half of the temple complex is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. Continue reading “Kom Ombo Temple”