We took a 17 minute flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The flight alone was cool, overlooking desolate sand that stretched for miles. Suddenly Lake Nassar came into view and the incredible structure of Abu Simbel was visible from the air!
Aswan
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We took a 17 minute flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The flight alone was cool, overlooking desolate sand that stretched for miles. Suddenly Lake Nassar came into view and the incredible structure of Abu Simbel was visible from the air! |
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The exterior of the temple is flanked with six statues, this time of both Ramses and Nefertari. These statues are 10 meters tall compared to the 20 meter statues that guard the entrance to Ramses' temple. Smaller statues of princes and princesses surround the king and his queen. While Ramses' statues are seated and project outward, these six statues are standing in shallow niches carved into the facade, bordered by hieroglyphics. |
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Philae was intriguing and beautiful! Picture a gleaming white limestone temple built on a small island surrounded by blue, blue water. The Temple of Isis on the island of Philae has been attracting tourists for thousands of years. Isis was the goddess of love, purity, healing motherhood, nature and immortality. She was worshiped passionately by the Egyptians and became the universal mother of nature symbol. Legend has it that on Philae, while searching for her husband Osiris' dismembered body after his murder, she found his heart and declared Philae a sacred site. Her cult of followers came from all over the Mediterranean, and worshiped her here at this temple until the 6th century |