Died of heat when we stepped off the train in Aswan. It must be at least 40 degrees here. A hot, dry heat that sucks the life out of you or at least renders you incapable of doing much.
After making a beeline for the showers at our hotel, Jon and I made a short lived attempt to look around Aswan. Aswan is Egypt's southern most city, the gateway to Africa and the land of Nubia. It is one of the more picturesque places to visit along the Nile situated near the First Nile Cataract. It also has a colourful souq (market) which is testament to the days when all the caravan routes passed through.
So, Jon and I walked down to the Nile and then had a peek at the market (sells lots of spices in wooden buckets, bowls and bags) before going back for another shower. In the evening, when it was a fraction cooler, our group went on a boat ride around Elephantine Island which had elephants until 2600BC. Good thing we had already seen elephants or otherwise I may have been disappointed. They scenery really wasn't that facinating.
We then went for a camel ride on the island to a Nubian village. The ride was supposed to take 45 minutes and show us St Simone Monastery but it only went for 15 and I didn't see anything that looked remotely like a 7th century Christian stronghold. This is what happens when your tour guide doesn't come with you. On a basic tour (like the one we are on) they just organise optional activities for you but don't attend them.
Dinner was supposed to be with a Nubian family but it was more like dinner in a souvenier shop with another tour group and no family. Perhaps they only come out if you buy something.
After making a beeline for the showers at our hotel, Jon and I made a short lived attempt to look around Aswan. Aswan is Egypt's southern most city, the gateway to Africa and the land of Nubia. It is one of the more picturesque places to visit along the Nile situated near the First Nile Cataract. It also has a colourful souq (market) which is testament to the days when all the caravan routes passed through.
So, Jon and I walked down to the Nile and then had a peek at the market (sells lots of spices in wooden buckets, bowls and bags) before going back for another shower. In the evening, when it was a fraction cooler, our group went on a boat ride around Elephantine Island which had elephants until 2600BC. Good thing we had already seen elephants or otherwise I may have been disappointed. They scenery really wasn't that facinating.
We then went for a camel ride on the island to a Nubian village. The ride was supposed to take 45 minutes and show us St Simone Monastery but it only went for 15 and I didn't see anything that looked remotely like a 7th century Christian stronghold. This is what happens when your tour guide doesn't come with you. On a basic tour (like the one we are on) they just organise optional activities for you but don't attend them.
Dinner was supposed to be with a Nubian family but it was more like dinner in a souvenier shop with another tour group and no family. Perhaps they only come out if you buy something.
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