By Catarina Redisch in Aswan, Egypt
Aswan is a city on the Nile, and very interesting, especially if you like extremes. Did you know that Aswan is one of the driest places on earth?
Aswan High Dam
If you like extremes, you’ll really like the Aswan High Dam, one of the greatest engineering projects of all time. This dam created one of the largest lakes in the world, Lake Nasser.
Looks pretty and peaceful, doesn’t it? But did you know this lake is full of crocodiles? And that one of those crocodiles can eat 150 kilos of fish every day?!
To create Lake Nasser, almost 100 000 people had to move. Abu Simbel had to be moved, too. That’s one of the most famous Egyptian temples. My sister got up at 3am to catch the bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel.
With kids in Aswan
I was only 6 when we were there, so mum thought it would be more fun for me to stay in Aswan. We spent the morning walking around, dodging hawkers (mum says lah, shukran in a firm voice), eating street food and just hanging around the fountains and the playgrounds.
Horses
We also rode in a caleche, a horse-driven carriage. Mum thought they drove too fast in the crazy Egyptian traffic, but I didn’t mind.
The unfinished obelisk
When the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids and temples and obelisks, they used stones from the quarries here in Aswan. The unfinished obelisk is still here. Archaeologists think this was going to be Hatshepsut’s obelisk. She was a pharaoh we heard lots about in Karnak. It wasn’t easy being a woman pharaoh in those days.
This pretty puppy slept in the shade of the unfinished obelisk:
From the unfinished obelisk, we could see almost all of Aswan:
Nile boats
There are so many boats sailing up and down the Nile, they sometimes double- and triple park. To get to our boat, we had to walk through two others.
On the river
We sailed in a felucca on the Nile and saw lots of people in tiny, little boats.
Here’s the Old Cataract hotel where we had afternoon tea.
Elephantine Island
In the Nile, there are several islands. There’s Kitchener Island with a botanical garden which is nice and cool. Then there’s Elephantine Island, where people still speak an ancient language called Nubian. On Elephantine, I saw baby crocodiles, which I loved.
Philae
In the evening, we took a small boat across Lake Nasser (which is full of crocodiles, remember), to Philae, where we saw a cool sound and light show about Isis and Osiris, two of the most important gods for the ancient Egyptians.
So there was lots to do in Aswan and I wouldn’t mind going back now that I’m older.
For more travel photos, hop over to this week’s Travel Photo Thursday.
A very interesting post, Catarina. I never knew any of that — except for the moving of Abu Simbel, which I had heard about. Nice photo series, too!
Very good post, Catarina!
I learned many new things from your post. Keep up the good work!
Izy Berry – The Wrong Way Home recently posted..Volunteering in Cambodia
What a well written guide. Such great inspiration.
I visited Aswan a few years ago, but my time there was very brief. Now I want to go back! Great job, Catarina.
Katrina recently posted..Abu Simbel as metaphor for life
What a fascinating place to explore!! Great post =)
Andrea recently posted..Taste Testing New York City’s Trendy Restaurants (Part 1)
Great post, although I think all it would have taken to keep my girls entertained in Aswan was that adorable little puppy. Love that you’re braver than your Mom when it comes to speed in traffic.
Steve recently posted..New Year’s Eve at the Space Needle – What You Need to Know
Looks like a fun day…never would have thought Lake Nasser is full of crocs!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The One Ocean Resort & Spa – Check-In Florida
What a wonderful experience you had in Aswan. I’d really like to take a boat ride on the Nile. Really enjoyed your post. It’s full of great things for everyone to do see there.
You bring back a lot of memories for me when I was in Aswan. Like your sister, I did the 3am trip to Abu Simbel. Looks like you had a great time while you were there.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — February 14th, 2013 — Chiang Mai Off the Beaten Path — Wat Pa Pao
You’ve done it again Catarina. Another great post in which I learnt a lot about the Aswan. I really must get to Egypt before it’s too late.
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Istanbul’s Hidden Street
I shared this when I first saw it a couple of days ago. Just wanted to say how much I love the bright blue “store”.
Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..A Valentine Gift for You
I liked your views on Aswan Catarina. The Philae really caught my attention and makes me really want to visit Aswan.
budget jan recently posted..Romantic Cinque Terre
I’d love to take a trip on the Nile – this post really got my travel juices flowing. (Loved the puppy photo!)
Jackie Smith recently posted..Valentine’s Day: A Re-Told Tale ~ Love and Legacy
I have never been to Egypt Catarina, so it was great to read your post and see your fabulous images. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for taking us along!
A great take on Aswan, Catarina. What a fascinating place, and definitely on my bucket list.
A trip on the Nile was already high on my must see list but now its even higher!
Muza-chan recently posted..Kilometre Zero of Japan’s Railways
An interesting read Catarina!
I didn’t know these facts about Aswan. That’s a cute puppy by the way. The structures look amazing.
Salika Jay recently posted..Udawalawe National Park Photos, Sri Lanka
I had never heard of these places so really enjoyed your article Catarina. I would very much like to explore the region myself.
Nick Lewis recently posted..Standing Tall
I did not know the lake was full of crocodiles! I’ve never been to the area but would love to visit for all the history.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..A Summer Residence Fit for a King
Interesting. I didn’t know that there was anything there except for the dam.
Dick Jordan recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: To Be or Not to Be (Shooting Color)?
The place is so historical.
I wanted to visit the place too. Looks fun indeed.
Great post, Catarina. Your mom sounds like she knows exactly how to handle the hawkers.
Thanks for this overview of Aswan.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hi Catarina! Wow, I can just imagine what great impressions that traveling in wonderful Aswan can leave in a young mind. You were lucky to have such experience. i love your narratives and thanks for making me learn more about Aswan.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Vietnam: Trekking in the Off-The-Beaten-Path Hilltribe Villages – Day 1
Good work Catarina! That puppy is just adorable. I felt sorry for the horses pulling the Caleches when I was in Luxor. We didn’t make it Aswan – So I really need to return to Egypt. WOuld love to have tea at the Old Cataract Hotel!
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..China: Rock Climbing in Yangshuo
Yay Catarina!! My, there is so much to take in on this post. What a trip! So much excitement, beauty and new experiences. And I love that puppy.
I have an ex-stray from Central America the same color, and we’ve taken to putting him in a little red vest when we go running in the desert, so we don’t lose him. I bet an Egyptian dog could also get lost in the desert! Maybe it was a defense mechanism at one time….