Exploring Jordan and Egypt

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Saturday, 5 March 2022 - Had an easy day on the Nile with a visit by water taxi to Philae (island of Agikia) to explore the beautifully relocated Temple of Isis seeing intricate reliefs and hieroglyphs, then continued downriver past stone quarries and ancient chapel remains, enjoyed the relaxing cruise with sunset views from the top deck before dinner.

Due to the Aswan High Dam the Temple of Isis was in danger of disappearing under the waters of Lake Nasser. The Temple was moved from the original island to a higher island.

egypt2022 — These are many water taxis waiting for customers to ferry over to the temples.

egypt2022 — Our taxi driver looked like a movie actor.

egypt2022 — Built to honor of the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the last places where the goddess was worshipped. The cult of Isis continued at this temple until about 550 AD.

egypt2022 — The view of the Temple of Isis as you arrive by water taxi.

egypt2022 — The boat leaves you near the oldest part of the temple - a gateway greets you coming up from the water taxi.

egypt2022 — The entrance to the temple is marked by the 60-foot-high first pylon with reliefs of Ptolemy XII smiting enemies.

egypt2022 — Eastern colonnade in the forecourt

egypt2022 — All of the columns were covered in artwork and hieroglyphics.

egypt2022 — In the central court of the Temple of Isis, the mammisi (birth house) is dedicated to Horus, son of Isis and Osiris.

egypt2022 — Isis with her strong links to Egyptian kingship, was most often represented as a beautiful woman wearing a sheath dress and either the hieroglyphic sign of the throne or a solar disk and cow's horns upon her head.

egypt2022 — The early Christians (4-6 century) used the Temple as a church and defaced much of the art - chipping off Egyptian god faces. They also added crosses.

egypt2022 — Cal bending down to get the picture.

egypt2022 — Hallway covered with art and hieroglyphics.

egypt2022 — Isis and Horus again at the second pylon leading to the Inner Sanctuary of Isis.

egypt2022 — Beautiful art in the sanctuary - a pharaoh is making offerings to Isis.

egypt2022 — Isis represented by a cow headed woman with horns and the sun.

egypt2022 — Hieroglyphics with royal cartouches.

egypt2022 — Isis nursing her son Horus is one of the most popular images of this protective goddess. With one hand she is supporting her child while offering her breast for him to suckle with the other hand.

egypt2022 — The inner courtyard leading to the sanctuary.

egypt2022 — In the Temple of Isis early Christians set an altar among the columns.

egypt2022 — The colonnade looking east through the windows.

egypt2022 — To the west of the Temple of Isis is the elegant, unfinished pavilion by the water's edge, known as the Kiosk of Trajan ('Pharaoh's Bed'), perhaps the most famous of Philae's monuments and one that was frequently painted by Victorian artists, whose boats were moored beneath the temple.

Just to the right of this picture was a small set of shops selling jewellery and spices. Virginia Ann purchased a little of both.

egypt2022 — Hats for sale on the "gauntlet" which was on shore once we stepped out of the water taxi from the Temple of Isis.

egypt2022 — We then drove to the "Unfinished Obelisk" - the largest known ancient obelisk. Its creation was ordered by Hatshepsut (1508-1458 BC). The obelisk's creators began to carve it directly out of bedrock, but cracks appeared in the granite during the process so the project was abandoned. The bottom side of the obelisk is still attached to the bedrock.

egypt2022 — We then had some to walk the streets of Aswan before boarding the boat.

A spice store in the Aswan market.

egypt2022 — Fruit stand in the market.

egypt2022 — All manner of bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

egypt2022 — Back cruising the Nile River. Here we pass Kom Ombo - you can see how close it is to the Nile and the cruise boats docking for tours.

egypt2022 — On our way down the Nile we passed Sil Sila which was a major quarry for the Egyptians as it was good stone and on the Nile - so the stones were easier to move.

egypt2022 — The Temple of Horemheb is visible from the boat as we cruise. Horemheb was the last king of the 18th dynasty - around 1550 BC. He ordered this chapel dedicated to the God Amon and the crocodile god, Sobek, both associated with the river Nile.

egypt2022 — Another day on the Nile with a beautiful sunset on the top deck.

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