Temple of Edfu and Kom Ombo
Trip Start
Aug 09, 2008
1
31
34
Trip End
Sep 16, 2008
Edfu,
Egypt
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Temple of Edfu, like the Temple of Karnak, is another example of Egyptian Engineering at it's best. Once again there is a massive façade, Long Columns, Large walls covered with Hieroglyphics. I think the pictures show it better than I can explain, but being there is better. You might think been there done that, but I don't see it that way. Each temple is a monument to a period of Egyptian history spanning over 6,000 years. Each is temple is a snapshot of a period in time when the gods were worshipped by kings and queens, whom showed their devotion in the hope of reaching the gods in the after life. Each temple is a shrine, to their beliefs as they were when the temples were built, so to me they are not the same, but very much so unique. Some of the temples even show influences of Roman and Greek architecture due to the rulers of the time being of Greek or Roman descent.
Back on board the ship, we have the rest of the day to ourselves as we sail to Kom Ombo, where we will briefly stop to visit the Temple there. I spent the rest of the morning reading on the top deck in the sun as we sailed down the Nile. Actually it's up the Nile. The southern part of Egypt is known as Upper Egypt, the northern part is Lower Egypt as the Nile flows south to north, not north to south as they do in NZ.
After lunch, I had a sleep in my cabin.
Temple of Edfu
The heat of the morning has taken it out of me, and besides, I need my strength for the Temple of Kom Ombo, which we will visit at 5pm, and the Galabeya Party on board to night. A Galabeya is the full authentic dress worn by the Egyptians and Arabs alike. Exactly like the Sheiks of Saudi Arabia as a common example. I've purchased one from the Store on board. I probably could have got one cheaper from one of the locals, but to be honest, it was just less hassle to do so that way. Many of the other tourists said I look the real McCoy! Len of Arabia.I woke from my slumber at 4:30pm and got ready for the scheduled tour. We had already berthed at Kom Ombo. No bus this time, the Temple is about 300 metres up the road.
As I said before, here is another example of a unique temple. This time, in the past, locals whom defaced most of the figures on the walls occupied the temple. They even built their own buildings on top of the temple. There is also some Greek and Roman influences here too.
After dinner, everyone got ready for the Galabeya Party. This cruise is really starting to sound like the Love Boat, except Isaac Washington is Egyptian, and Julie is a man? There are games organized by the Crew. Pass the bottle, a potatoe race, and best of all a dance off. It was a really fun night, and I still managed to get to bed by midnight. There were no prizes for best dressed.
