Exploring Jordan and Egypt

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Sunday, 6 March 2022 - Cruised toward Esna on the Nile at daybreak with reflections on the water and early morning light, visited the Temple of Khnum with its ram-headed god artwork and composite column capitals, explored detailed reliefs and scenes on the temple walls, then returned to the ship watching shore life and a felucca sail at sunset.

egypt2022 — Every morning I went up to the top deck to see the sunrise. This morning was almost clouded over. Still had a pretty reflection on the Nile.

egypt2022 — We passed a mountain with a watch tower on the top which had interesting colors in the early morning.

egypt2022 — Esna seems like a very small town. The SS Sphinx took up most, if not all, of the dock.

The Temple of Khnum was only a few blocks into the city. While we were walking through the city several vendors put on tourist demonstrations. This is a couple of bags of cotton on a colorful loading dock.

egypt2022 — Khnum was the ram god that was worshipped throughout this area and who fashioned mankind from mud of the Nile from his potter's wheel. The temple now stands in the middle of the modern town at a level about 20 feet below that of the surrounding grounds. I suppose it is relatively new being built in the Greek/Roman period.

egypt2022 — The outside walls are covered in artwork.

egypt2022 — The lion headed god Maahes and Khnum on the wall.

egypt2022 — A pharaoh in the presence of the gods.

egypt2022 — Artwork of gods and pharaohs on the entrance to the temple.

egypt2022 — There were so many gods and pharaohs on the walls.

egypt2022 — Maahes - associated with war, protection, and weather. Pretty eclectic grouping of influence.

egypt2022 — Khnum with the distinctive ram head.

egypt2022 — The roof of the hall is supported by four rows of six 40 foot columns with composite floral capitals of varying designs that retain some of their original painted color.

The temple reminded us of The Temple of Hathor in Dendera where the columns and ceilings were so pretty.

egypt2022 — The columns are adorned with texts describing the religious festivals of the town and several Roman emperors before the gods.

egypt2022 — Cartouches in color - something we had not seen before.

egypt2022 — The columns are simply covered in writings and art.

egypt2022 — The columns extend to the temple's exterior.

egypt2022 — We could only visit half the temple as there was an active restoration team on the other half. working on the columns and ceiling.

They are doing a great job - beautiful temple.

egypt2022 — The rear wall was carved for Septimus Servus and his sons, Geta and Caracalla, depicting them before several divinities.

egypt2022 — Beautiful columns.

egypt2022 — Back on the Nile headed toward Luxor - enjoying a Sakara beer on the upper deck and watching the shore drift by.

A felucca on the Nile just before the sun sets.

egypt2022 — Sunset on the Nile - pretty clouds.

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