2017-10-12 Sanctuary Sunboat 1V, Kom Ombo to Aswan, Egypt

Once again the Sanctuary Sun Boat 1V left quite early for the trip to Aswan

After breakfast the Sanctuary Sun Boat 1V berthed in Aswan where there were several vehicles lined up to collect the passengers who were keen to go on the morning excursion

At 8.30 am we left the boat and headed south along the road beside the Nile River

On the west bank, cut into the hill called Tabet el-Hausa, a necropolis can be seen containing about forty tombs dating back to the 3rd millenium BC. A fortified monastery was erected on the hilltop however was destroyed in the 12 Century AD by Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Our first stop is to the Granite Quarries

Here we visit the famous unfinished obelisk which was intended to be erected for Queen Hatshepsut who died in 1458 BC

Our guide Alaa explains the history of the quarry and the method used to make the enormous obelisks

The unfinished obelisk would have been 41 m high with a weight of 1267 tons. The reason why it was uncompleted was that it had developed fissures in several points, so it was never removed from the rock

After visiting the quarry we were naturally taken back to the vehicle via the shopping market….

Our next visit is to go to one of the small islands to visit the Temple of Philae. Once past the market we make our way to the pier

Our small tour group heads towards our allocated boat for the short trip

A couple of salesmen make the trip with us hoping to sell a few items

Many boats lay idle in the small coves of the river

As we arrive, looking back to a large group returning to Aswan town after visiting the ancient temple

Following our guide Alaa we make our way toward the long row of columns

When the old Aswan Dam was first built in 1904 the Temple of Philae (situated on a nearby island with the same name) ended up underwater. It was an amazing feat to have it moved to this higher island called Agilkia