At a quarter to four we stand tired at the square. At four the convoy starts moving. Now 200km of desert to cross. There the Egyptians can really show that they have it on it. 140 to 160 kilometers per hour. One overtakes the other – completely indiscriminately. After overtaking, turn off the lights, flash once, twice, flash the lights, turn the lights on again, that’s how it goes all the time. Most drivers drive in the opposite lane. Why? No idea and I better not ask.

Sunrise

Arrival at half past six. The Ramses Temple of Abu Simbel. Directly at the Nasser Lake. Great thing. Huge statues and richly decorated interior. Next door the somewhat smaller temple of his main wife Nefetari. Also very beautiful. Both temples were moved in a UNESCO action before the flooding of Lake Nasser about 90m upwards; and rightly so.

Abu Simbel

On the return trip, our car is the lead wolf. A grumpy policeman in uniform and with pistol and MP takes a seat on the passenger side. Shortly after setting off, the other cars of the convoy are no longer to be seen; loosely suspended. Convoy is actually something else, but that is probably not seen here so exactly. Instead, there is real mirage to see. That is also more interesting. In Aswan the policeman gets out. After he had said neither good day, when he got in, he also denied himself the farewell greeting.

Inside the temple

The rest of the day is spent hanging out on the sun terrace with a short massage break. My back thanks me.