Something was different. Slept quite well. I guess because the night before didn’t go so well. Anyway, the engine is still howling. The whole thing twice more… Not until Tuesday night we are supposed to leave – and, since the other one can’t leave because we are in front of it, it will stay that way. The morning trip goes to the quarry for rose granite. Here the workers of Hatshepsut made a mistake when chiseling the obelisk and thereupon the deliberately largest obelisk broke in two places and was abandoned. Quite interesting are the demolitions next to it. But it is nothing which one misses if one does not see it.

Russian-Egyptian friendship

The pride of the Egyptians is the new dam. Currently the largest structure in the world. Here, Lake Nasser is dammed. With over 500 km also the largest freshwater reservoir in the world. The entire electricity needs of Egypt and more is generated here. Great view of the old dam and the islands lying in it. That now no more Nile floods come, the Egyptian still pays tribute later. The fertile washed up mud also remains out. The years will show it…

Back over the old dam to the inspection of the Philae temple. With a motorboat is set over. Very nice site at this new location. The old site was flooded with the construction of the dam and before that the temple was dismantled in a large-scale action and rebuilt at its current location. The temple is quite complete and dates from the Greek period. This can be seen in the columns and also in the false representation of the Pharaoh with the Upper and Lower Egyptian crowns respectively. In the original Egyptian temples the pharaoh with the crown of Lower Egypt is always shown on the right. With the later – not correct – always left. It took me a long time to remember this and I don’t really want to keep it in my head.

Philae temple

Before we return to the ship still a detour to a perfume manufacturer. Of course, only look, you do not need to buy anything… 50€ and 150ml change hands. Lotus flower and amber essence to smell nice and lower blood pressure and stress relief in the bag it goes back to the ship.

Over the lunch time is free time. At three o’clock we take a felucca to the Botanical Garden. Nice ride on the Nile. The skipper spreads out his wares and three chains change hands. The botanical garden radiates a lot of tranquility. Nice collection of plants here. At the other end you can see the mausoleum of Aga-Khan. Fancy. The return trip turns out to be difficult. Hardly any wind. More than an hour we are sailing towards the shore. Eventually we make it. One consolation, the other boats are not doing any better.

Felucca ride

We arrange to visit the Aswan Bazaar, Mohammed leads safely through the Egyptian form of the pedestrian zone. Colorful, loud and wonderful hustle and bustle can be seen here. Unfortunately, I dare not take a photo of one of the local butchers. Good appetite I only say… At the end an acquaintance of Mohammed. He sells spices. Everything is shown, sniff sample. Great thing. I have only 95 LE and 6€ in coins pocketed. The man is really great. He manages to pull all the money out of my pocket. An after-shave stone, some incense (I always wanted to have) and red saffron change hands for all my money. Actually, I wanted to invite Mohammed to tea. Mohammed laughs and says he will pay. In a small street cafe an excellent mallow tea is served. Ice cold! Screw the forewarnings, it tastes delicious. To say it in advance, the diarrhea stays away; a luck.

Assuan Bazaar

Tomorrow will be a hard day. In convoy to Abu Simbel. That means getting up before three o’clock and being at the assembly point shortly before four.