EGYPTIAN SPLENDOR
Globus tour QE 10 days
October 7-15, 2005
October 7-15, 2005
Day 5: ASWAN AND ABU SIMBEL
The next morning was the optional excursion to Abu Simbel. On the way to the airport we crossed over the old dam, and on the downstream side we saw what is left of one of the renowned cataracts of the Nile. Never a true waterfall, they were just areas of rapids that made navigation impossible. With the coming of the dam they were tamed.
The flight to Abu Simbel was about 45 minutes by commercial airliner. It is only a short distance from the airport to the monument. Of course, this is the famous one that was saved from being innundated when the Aswan High Dam was created. The immense size of the four statues of Rameses II is well known, but really has to be seen to be believed!
Then we checked into our hotel boat in time for lunch. The Oberoi Shahrayer is a beautiful boat, and the buffets are lavish and interesting. We had some time to relax and enjoy the boat this afternoon.
In the evening we set forth on another shopping expedition! First we visited an exquisite shop dealing in odorous essences and the vials and dispersers for them. Their glassblower gave a demonstration of creating decorative glassware with very simple tools. Then we had the opportunity to sample the many floral essences available there. They had pure essences of single flowers, and exotic combinations of different essences. They also had "copies" of many famous fragrances. We certainly came out of that shop smelling good!
Then it was off to the Aswan Spice Market! There are certainly spices in plenty, but also many many other items of every kind. Ahmed sort of let us loose a block at a time. He would say "In 20 minutes we are going to meet under that street light down there." In 20 minutes he would count us and make sure we were all there, and then give us another landmark ahead.
It probably was a good thing he was doing that. Renée was looking for a galabyia, and her search led her down a narrow alley into a little shop that had some lovely ones. Somehow she let the seller talk her into going downstairs to see more. We proceeded down a narrow stair and were confronted with three baleful old men puffing on a hookah in a basement room. But behind them it was well lit, and did display some beautiful dresses. Renée made her selection, and we hurried up the stairs to reassure Ahmed that we were not lost!
I got to do some shopping also. This shop had a great variety of things, including some beautiful alabaster, but the ornate hookahs caught my eye. The shopkeepers were definitely looking for customers, but once you made it clear you were not buying they were happy to just let you look.
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| The next morning was the optional excursion to Abu Simbel. On the way to the airport we crossed over the old dam, and on the downstream side we saw what is left of one of the renowned cataracts of the Nile. Never a true waterfall, they were just areas of rapids that made navigation impossible. With the coming of the dam they were tamed.
| The flight to Abu Simbel was about 45 minutes by commercial airliner. It is only a short distance from the airport to the monument. Of course, this is the famous one that was saved from being innundated when the Aswan High Dam was created. The immense size of the four statues of Rameses II is well known, but really has to be seen to be believed!
| Then we checked into our hotel boat in time for lunch. The Oberoi Shahrayer is a beautiful boat, and the buffets are lavish and interesting. We had some time to relax and enjoy the boat this afternoon.
| In the evening we set forth on another shopping expedition! First we visited an exquisite shop dealing in odorous essences and the vials and dispersers for them. Their glassblower gave a demonstration of creating decorative glassware with very simple tools. Then we had the opportunity to sample the many floral essences available there. They had pure essences of single flowers, and exotic combinations of different essences. They also had "copies" of many famous fragrances. We certainly came out of that shop smelling good!
| Then it was off to the Aswan Spice Market! There are certainly spices in plenty, but also many many other items of every kind. Ahmed sort of let us loose a block at a time. He would say "In 20 minutes we are going to meet under that street light down there." In 20 minutes he would count us and make sure we were all there, and then give us another landmark ahead.
| It probably was a good thing he was doing that. Renée was looking for a galabyia, and her search led her down a narrow alley into a little shop that had some lovely ones. Somehow she let the seller talk her into going downstairs to see more. We proceeded down a narrow stair and were confronted with three baleful old men puffing on a hookah in a basement room. But behind them it was well lit, and did display some beautiful dresses. Renée made her selection, and we hurried up the stairs to reassure Ahmed that we were not lost! I got to do some shopping also. This shop had a great variety of things, including some beautiful alabaster, but the ornate hookahs caught my eye. The shopkeepers were definitely looking for customers, but once you made it clear you were not buying they were happy to just let you look.
| |
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