Aswan – The Nile Cruises 4u Blog

December 8, 2012

Visiting Aswan – Continued

After our wonderful lunch and cruise on board the superb MS Misr Nile cruise ship we took the water-taxi back to our hotel, the Movenpick Aswan as we had been invited to watch the sun go down over the Nile from the Panorama Bar which is located at the top of the tower at the Movenpick.

We took the opportunity to take a stroll around the grounds of the Movenpick and walked over to the other side of the island and the hotel which overlooks Kitchener’s Island. Continue reading “Visiting Aswan – Continued”

December 6, 2012March 8, 2013

Visiting Aswan – Day 2

After our evening stroll and “people-watching” at the pavement cafe and a really good night’s sleep our second day in Aswan began with an excellent breakfast at the Movenpick Aswan Hotel. Once I’ve a had a good cup of real coffee I’m setup for the day. Which is just as well as we had a busy day planned.

Firstly we were lucky enough to be invited to visit the recently re-opened and world-famous “Old Cataract Hotel“. We had visited the hotel prior to its’ complete refurbishment that took over two years to complete and we were looking forward to seeing what had been done to improve this marvelous hotel that blends old-world Victorian grandeur with Egyptian charm. Continue reading “Visiting Aswan – Day 2”

December 5, 2012

Visiting Aswan

Because we’d been so busy it was hard to believe that we were only on Day 3 of our visit to Egypt.

Days one and two were in Luxor and now we were down in the beautiful city of Aswan staying at the uniquely located Movenpick Aswan Hotel.

One thing that was immediately noticeable was that it felt even warmer than Luxor. It was mid November and we were enjoying day time temperatures of around 28-29 degrees!. It was hot! Fantastic.

In fact it was lovely in the evenings too. Certainly warm enough to just be sitting at pavement cafes in just a t-shirt and light cardigan. Not something we’re used to in the UK even in the summer and here it was November. Just 5 hours away from the UK and the weather could not have been more different.

We were greeted warmly by the friendly management and staff at the Movenpick Aswan Hotel after taking the water-taxi to reach the hotel. Our bags were boarded onto the boat and we didnt’ see them until we reached our rooms. Continue reading “Visiting Aswan”

December 4, 2012December 4, 2012

Driving from Luxor to Aswan – Part 2

After driving for about two and a half hours we reached Kom Ombo Temple. Normally when you visit Kom Ombo you do so after sailing down the Nile until you reach the Temple and you disembark and approach the Temple by foot. On previous occasions we reached Kom Ombo in the early evening and made the visit just as the sun was going down. As the Temple is beautifully lit it’s a breathtaking site as you look at it from your ship. You then walk through the streets, climbing gently upwards until you reach the Temple entrance.

On this occasion, because we were coming in from the road rather than the river we came to the Temple from the rear, parked and then walked around to the entrance. It was at that point that we recognised where we were as we saw the view down over the streets to the river bank where our Nile cruise ship would have berthed.

It was around 12 noon when we entered the Temple and it was very quiet, which gave us the opportunity to take our time and we could really enjoy Emad’s knowledgable descriptions of the architecture of the Temple, the meanings of the wonderful hieroglyphics and the story behind the original construction of the Temple.

It truly is a breathtaking place and it’s hard, as always in Egypt, to try and envisage just how the Ancient Egyptians could physically construct such massive building with the tools that they had at the time.

Since our last visit the Temple authorities have opened up the Crocodile Museum, which explains the relevance and importance of the crocodile in the history of the Temple. It’s very much a state of the art feature and adds even more to the enjoyment ofÂ a visit to Kom Ombo.

If you are taking a Nile cruise I really think you will find Kom Ombo Temple one of the highlights of your trip.

From Kom Ombo we then drove the relatively short distance to Aswan where we were to stay at the Movenpick Aswan Hotel. Continue reading “Driving from Luxor to Aswan – Part 2”

December 3, 2012December 3, 2012

Driving from Luxor to Aswan

Day three of our trip involved us driving by road from Luxor to the beautiful city of Aswan (or Asswan as its’ correctly spelt). Barbara and I have visited Aswan on a number of occasions but each time we have arrived by Nile cruise ship. As we’ve sailed down the Nile to Aswan we’ve seen the road that seems to follow the river and often wondered what the drive would be like.

We’ve also seen the railway track that at certain points seems to hug the river too. As we’ve sailed we’ve watched the farmers tending their fields as well as the people who’s settlements and houses are perched right on the river bank. Driving down gave us the opportunity to see what was on the other side of the bank and drive through the various small towns on the way to Aswan.

In total the drive took us about two and a half to three hours but our driver wasn’t’ rushing and often we found ourselves caught up in reasonably busy traffic. So I imagine we could have arrived in Aswan more quickly but we weren’t’ in a rush.

What was really noticeable was the intense greenery of the fields and farms between the road and the Nile and the almost complete desert conditions of the land on the other side of the road. According to conversations we had on the drive the majority of Egypt’s citizens live either on the edges of the Nile or in Cairo. From the lush greenery of the land beside the Nile you can see why. For mile after mile we passed field after field of banana trees, corn, cabbages and other root vegetables being tended by farmers and workers who seemed oblivious to the almost 30 degree heat. Continue reading “Driving from Luxor to Aswan”