In English after each paragraph
Et nous voici partis pour une croisière sur le Nil.
And we are now gone on a cruise on the River Nile.
Et nous voici partis pour une croisière sur le Nil.
And we are now gone on a cruise on the River Nile.
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| Au départ de Luxor - Leaving Luxor |
Check-in à midi et on navigue jusqu'à Edfu.
We checked in at noon and sailed up to Edfu.
We checked in at noon and sailed up to Edfu.
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| Les Rives du Nil - The Nile River Banks |
Levés à 5h30 et avant le petit déjeuner, nous embarquons dans une calèche pour visiter le Temple d'Edfu. Notre guide ne parle pas vraiment bien l'anglais, connaît son truc par cœur, le débite avec un accent parfois difficile à comprendre et est très occupé à dire bonjour à tous ces ''chums'' du coin. On finit par l'abandonner pour que nous puissions faire nos photos à notre gre et avec l'aide du livre sur l'Égypte que nous avons, nous finissons notre visite tranquillement.
Up at 5:30 am and before our breakfast, we rode in a horse carriage to go visit the Temple of Edfu. Our guide does not really speak good English and has learnt his speech by heart. His accent is difficult to understand and he is very busy saying hello to all his buddies. We end up ditching him so that we can take the pictures we want and with our own guide book, we end up our visit in peace.
Up at 5:30 am and before our breakfast, we rode in a horse carriage to go visit the Temple of Edfu. Our guide does not really speak good English and has learnt his speech by heart. His accent is difficult to understand and he is very busy saying hello to all his buddies. We end up ditching him so that we can take the pictures we want and with our own guide book, we end up our visit in peace.
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| Le temple de Edfou construit en 237 av. J.C. est dédié au Dieu Horus, Dieu protecteur du Pharaon (souvent représenté avec une tête de faucon) The temple of Edfu, built in 237 before JC is dedicated to Horus God, protector of the Pharaoh (often represented with a falcon head) |
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| Pylone (36 meters high) - 36 mètres de haut |
Nous naviguons de nouveau jusqu'à Kom Ombo.
We are sailing again towards Kom Ombo.
Autre mauvais guide à Kom Ombo. Particularité du Temple : il est dédié à deux dieux, Horus et Sobek, le dieu-crocodile (dieu de la Fertilité) et pour ne pas faire de jaloux, il est complètement semblable des deux côtés.
Another bad guide in Kom Ombo. The temple of Kom Ombo is particular because he is dedicated to two Gods, Horus and Sobek, the Crocodile God (God of fertility) and as nobody wanted one of them to be jealous, the temple is identical on both sides.
On finit la visite du site par la visite du musée des crocodiles. Nous trouvons cela super intéressant de voir que des animaux étaient momifiés. Les anciens égyptiens croyaient que les dieux envoyaient des manifestations d'eux-mêmes sur terre sous la forme d'animaux totem. Ainsi, aux temples de Sobek, on pensait qu'un crocodile vivant contenait une étincelle du Dieu et était donc vénéré tant qu'il était vivant. A sa mort, l'esprit du Dieu se déplaçait dans le corps d'un autre crocodile tandis que le crocodile mort était momifié et cérémonieusement enterré dans un cimetière spécial.
We finish the site visit by the Crocodile Museum. We find it interesting to see that animals as well were mummified. The ancient Egyptians believed that the Gods sent physical manifestations of themselves to earth in the form of their totemic animals. Thus, at Sokek temples a live crocodile was thought to contain a spark of the God within, and was worshipped during his lifetime. After its death, the spirit of the god would move to another live crocodile's body while the dead crocodile would be mummified and ceremoniously buried in a special cemetary.
We finish the site visit by the Crocodile Museum. We find it interesting to see that animals as well were mummified. The ancient Egyptians believed that the Gods sent physical manifestations of themselves to earth in the form of their totemic animals. Thus, at Sokek temples a live crocodile was thought to contain a spark of the God within, and was worshipped during his lifetime. After its death, the spirit of the god would move to another live crocodile's body while the dead crocodile would be mummified and ceremoniously buried in a special cemetary.
Il fait bon sur le bateau, c'est vraiment agréable de profiter du soleil tout en regardant la vie quotidienne des égyptiens. Vraiment pas riche ! La vallée du Nil est verdoyante et forme un contraste extraordinaire avec les montagnes du désert qui sont juste derrière. À propos du Nil, nous avons appris lors d'une visite ultérieure que dans l'Egypte ancienne, le Nil aurait été créé par les larmes d'Isis quand elle sut que Osiris avait été assassiné par Seth. Une belle histoire d'amour car finalement, grâce à des ailes données par le Dieu, elle finalement pu retrouver le sarcophage d'Osiris et avec les morceaux de son corps qu'elle reconstitua put enfanter d'un fils, Horus.
It is nice on the cruise boat and we enjoy to be in the sun while looking at the daily life of the Egyptian people. Not very rich ! The Nile valley is green and it's a formidable contrast with the mountains of the desert which lays just behind. Concerning the Nile, during another visit, we learnt that the Nile could have been the result of tears shed by Isis when she heard that Osiris had been killed by Seth. A beautiful love story as in the end, thanks to wings provided by God, she was able to find the sarcophagus of Osiris. With the pieces of his body that she was able to revive, she gave birth to a son, Horus.
It is nice on the cruise boat and we enjoy to be in the sun while looking at the daily life of the Egyptian people. Not very rich ! The Nile valley is green and it's a formidable contrast with the mountains of the desert which lays just behind. Concerning the Nile, during another visit, we learnt that the Nile could have been the result of tears shed by Isis when she heard that Osiris had been killed by Seth. A beautiful love story as in the end, thanks to wings provided by God, she was able to find the sarcophagus of Osiris. With the pieces of his body that she was able to revive, she gave birth to a son, Horus.
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| Les marchands prennent des risques pour vendre quelques souvenirs aux touristes - the merchants take risks to sell some souvenirs to the tourists |
Après le passage d'une écluse, nous arrivons à Assouan (nom qui viendrait de l'égyptien ancien Souenet ou Swenet qui signifie commerce). Nous sommes dans la Haute Egypte qui était principalement peuplée par les Nubiens en majorité provenant du Soudan.
After crossing a lock, we arrive in Assouan (name which comes from the ancient egyptian Souenet or Swenet which means Commerce). We are in the Upper Egypt which used to be populated by Nubians in majority coming from Sudan.
After crossing a lock, we arrive in Assouan (name which comes from the ancient egyptian Souenet or Swenet which means Commerce). We are in the Upper Egypt which used to be populated by Nubians in majority coming from Sudan.
Notre guide, cette fois est super intéressant et complètement passionné par la civilisation égyptienne. La visite sur le haut barrage d'Assouan n'a pas vraiment grand intérêt sauf pour apprendre qu'il a été financé par l'ancienne Union Soviétique. L'ancien barrage avait dû être surélevé une dizaine de fois.
This time, our guide is very interesting and completely fascinated by the Egyptian civilization. The visit of the Upper Dam of Assouan is not very interesting except that we learnt that it was financed by the former Soviet Union. The older dam had been raised about 10 times.
This time, our guide is very interesting and completely fascinated by the Egyptian civilization. The visit of the Upper Dam of Assouan is not very interesting except that we learnt that it was financed by the former Soviet Union. The older dam had been raised about 10 times.
Nous allons ensuite visiter le Temple de Philae ou on vénérait Isis la mère universelle. Avant la construction du haut barrage d'Assouan il a fallu le déplacer d'environ 200 mètres. Le déménagement du Temple nécessita 8 ans entre 1972 et 1980 et fut financé par l'UNESCO comme le sauvetage de 8 autres temples en Egypte . On voit encore les traces du Nil sur les murs du Temple. Dommage que nous ne puissions pas passer plus de temps avec notre guide dans ce lieu pour voir d'autres détails.
We will then visit the Temple of Philae where the Universal mother, Isis, was worshipped. Before the construction of the High Dam of Assouan, this temple had to be moved about 200 meters. The moving of the Temple took 8 years from 1972 to 1980 and was financed by UNESCO as for saving 8 other temples in Egypt. We can still see some traces of the Nile on the walls of the Temple. Too bad that we cannot spend more time with our guide in this temple to see more details.
We will then visit the Temple of Philae where the Universal mother, Isis, was worshipped. Before the construction of the High Dam of Assouan, this temple had to be moved about 200 meters. The moving of the Temple took 8 years from 1972 to 1980 and was financed by UNESCO as for saving 8 other temples in Egypt. We can still see some traces of the Nile on the walls of the Temple. Too bad that we cannot spend more time with our guide in this temple to see more details.
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| Traces aussi de présence des prêtres coptes avec des croix coptes qui pendant un temps s'approprièrent les lieux. Some traces of copt priests with copt crosses. For a while, copt priests used this temple as a church. |
La croisière est finie et nous avons réservé deux jours supplémentaires dans un hôtel de la ville d'Assouan.
The cruise is now over and we have booked an extra couple of days in a hotel in the city of Assouan.
The cruise is now over and we have booked an extra couple of days in a hotel in the city of Assouan.
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| Vue de notre hôtel sur le Nil - View from our hotel on the Nile |
Visite du Musée de la Nubie à Assouan. Définitivement à voir. Nous découvrons un peuple qui nous est complètement inconnu mais dont l'histoire remonte aussi à plus de 6000 ans.
Visit of the Nubian Museum in Assouan. A must see. We discover a people who is completely unknown to us but whose story dates back to over 6000 years.
Visit of the Nubian Museum in Assouan. A must see. We discover a people who is completely unknown to us but whose story dates back to over 6000 years.
Resto nubien sur un îlot du Nil le soir. Pas vraiment différent de ce que nous avons goûté jusqu'ici.
Nubian restaurant on a small island on the Nile in the evening. Not really different from what we have tasted so far.
Nubian restaurant on a small island on the Nile in the evening. Not really different from what we have tasted so far.
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| Baba ghanouj (crème d'aubergines - cream of eggplants) |
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| Tajine nubienne - Nubian tajin |
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| Bière égyptienne, la Stella - Egyptian Beer, Stella |
Visite des temples de Abou Simbel qui se trouvent à 280 kms au sud de Assouan. Lever 3h30 du matin car nous devons y être de bonne heure le matin et retour prévu pour environ 14 heures, tout cela dans un mini-bus. Pas très reposant mais on ne veut pas manquer cela.
Visit of the temples of Abu Simbel located 280 kms south of Aswan. We got up at 3:30 am as we have to be there early in the morning and we will head back to Assouan to arrive at 2pm. All this, in a mini bus. Not very relaxing but we don't want to miss this.
Visit of the temples of Abu Simbel located 280 kms south of Aswan. We got up at 3:30 am as we have to be there early in the morning and we will head back to Assouan to arrive at 2pm. All this, in a mini bus. Not very relaxing but we don't want to miss this.
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| Un petit somme dans le bus - A short nap in the bus |
La route qui nous emmène à Abou Simbel est complètement désertique et n'est ouverte qu'à partir de 5 heures du matin par l'armée. C'est une immense ligne droite ou mini bus et bus passent leur temps à se doubler et se re-doubler. Nous arrivons finalement après presque 4 heures de route sans aucun arrêt. Nous sommes pris en charge par un guide qui parle anglais. Moyen le guide, d'autant plus qu'ils ne sont pas autorisés à rentrer dans le temple.
The road that takes us to Abu Simbel is a desert and is opened by the army only at 5 am. It's a long straight road where mini-buses and buses constantly pass one another. We finally arrive after a 4 hour ride without stopping. We are met by a guide who speaks English. The guide is not great. Guides are also not authorized to enter inside the temple.
The road that takes us to Abu Simbel is a desert and is opened by the army only at 5 am. It's a long straight road where mini-buses and buses constantly pass one another. We finally arrive after a 4 hour ride without stopping. We are met by a guide who speaks English. The guide is not great. Guides are also not authorized to enter inside the temple.
Les 2 temples de Abou Simbel furent sauvés des eaux tout comme celui de Philae grâce à l'UNESCO. Ils ont été surélevés de 60 mètres et reculés de 200 mètres. 310 000 tonnes de roches ont été déblayés et les temples après avoir été découpés en blocs de 15 tonnes ont été numérotés (1042 blocs au total). Par contre, 46 villages nubiens furent à jamais engloutis.
The 2 temples of Abu Simbel were saved from the waters like the Philae temple thanks to UNESCO. They were raised by 60 meters and moved back 200 meters. 310 000 tons of rocks were moved and the temples after being cut in blocks of 15 tons were all numbered (1042 blocks in total). However, 46 Nubian villages were drowned forever.
The 2 temples of Abu Simbel were saved from the waters like the Philae temple thanks to UNESCO. They were raised by 60 meters and moved back 200 meters. 310 000 tons of rocks were moved and the temples after being cut in blocks of 15 tons were all numbered (1042 blocks in total). However, 46 Nubian villages were drowned forever.
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| Le Grand Temple gardé par les 4 colosses de Ramses II - The Great Temple being watched over by the 4 colosses of Ramses II |
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| Ramses II, Jeune - Young Ramses II |
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| Les 4 colosses sont hauts de 20 mètres - The 4 colosses are 20 meters high |
Ramses II s'est lui-même déifié et ce temple est destiné à sa gloire. Ramses II le plus à droite le représente âgé.
Ramses II decided he was a God and this temple is dedicated to his glory. Ramses II on the right represents him when he is older.
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| Le Pharaon tire les cheveux de ses ennemis - The Pharaoh pulls on the hair of his enemies |
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| 2 des 8 piliers dans la première salle (à tête de Ramses II) - 2 of the 8 pilars in the first room (with the head of Ramses II) |
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| The Temple of Athor - Le Temple d'Athor |
Ce temple fut construit à la gloire de Nefertari, épouse favorite de Ramses II. Sur les 6 statues, deux représentent la Reine et 4 Ramses II.
This temple was contructed to the glory of Nefertari, favorite spouse of Ramses II. From the 6 statues, 2 represent the Queen and 4 Ramses II.
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| La Reine Nefertari - The Queen Nefertari |
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| Barque avec une vache entourée de papyrus ouverts - Boat with a cow surounded by opened papyrus |
Un autre site grandiose et un autre incontournable en Egypte !
Another stunning site and another must-do in Egypt !
Assouan, une étape sympa en Egypte ! Et une nouvelle fois, nous reprenons la route pour Hurghada ou nous allons nous reposer dans un complexe touristique tout inclus pour 4 jours.
Aswan, a nice stop in Egypt ! And once again, we are On the Road Again to Hurghada where we are going to rest in an all inclusive resort for 4 days.
A suivre...To be continued...
On the Road Again 3...
Ecrit par Françoise - Written by Françoise
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