At 7.00am, we took a taxi to the Aswan bus station and boarded a bus (25EP=Rm17) to Abu Simbel. The bus departed at 8.00am. The bus journey took 4 hours, covering 280km. Along the way, there was tight security checks and local police boarded our bus 4-5 times at different stretches of roads. All passengers had to surrender their I/D to the police and a few passengers were asked to get down the bus to provide more personal details.
At around 12.00pm, we arrived at Abu Simbel town and took a taxi to te Abu Simbel Temple, located on a high ground. Facing the Lake Nasser and due to a dam construction, we understand the entire temple was relocated to the present site in 1968. Abu Simbel was discovered from the sand in 1817.
As we entered the big Abu Simbel Temple, we were stunned by its magnificent look and the four tall and gigantic colossal statutes of gods built by Ramses 11 for his wife, Nefertari. Inside the big temple, there were more statues to see and admire . We were told that sun rays penetrate to the Holy of Holies, deep at the four smaller statutes in sitting position facing the main entrance of the big Temple, on the same two days of the year ie 22nd Feb (the King's birthday) and 22nd Oct (the date of its coronation). If you happened to born in these two lucky days, you may like to time your visit and celebrate your birthday in Abu Simbel Temple with a bottle of champagne ! I really enjoyed looking at the ancient wall paintings, looked very unique and attractive.
Next, we visited the small temple of Abu Simbel, here we saw six slightly smaller statutes.
As we missed the last bus (1.00pm), we took a service van (30EP=Rm20) back to Aswan and stayed on for another night.
At around 12.00pm, we arrived at Abu Simbel town and took a taxi to te Abu Simbel Temple, located on a high ground. Facing the Lake Nasser and due to a dam construction, we understand the entire temple was relocated to the present site in 1968. Abu Simbel was discovered from the sand in 1817.
As we entered the big Abu Simbel Temple, we were stunned by its magnificent look and the four tall and gigantic colossal statutes of gods built by Ramses 11 for his wife, Nefertari. Inside the big temple, there were more statues to see and admire . We were told that sun rays penetrate to the Holy of Holies, deep at the four smaller statutes in sitting position facing the main entrance of the big Temple, on the same two days of the year ie 22nd Feb (the King's birthday) and 22nd Oct (the date of its coronation). If you happened to born in these two lucky days, you may like to time your visit and celebrate your birthday in Abu Simbel Temple with a bottle of champagne ! I really enjoyed looking at the ancient wall paintings, looked very unique and attractive.
Next, we visited the small temple of Abu Simbel, here we saw six slightly smaller statutes.
As we missed the last bus (1.00pm), we took a service van (30EP=Rm20) back to Aswan and stayed on for another night.
"Impressive indeed ! Abu Simbel, the most magnificent monuments in the world ! The 14 hour train ride from Cairo to Aswan was well worth the efforts. You reap what you sow !"
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