Birds Around Philae Temple (E10/25)

 

Since this Egypt trip is not a birding trip but a touristy trip, I am not equip with my usual birding/wildlife gear. Only a simple prosumer camera. This does not stop me to keep a record shot of what I see along the way.

Laughing dove seem quite common and can be seen anywhere.

Saw a pair of Egyptian goose preening on the rock a distance away.

White stork are seen at a few difference location. The line from their droppings sugest that they have been there for some times.

Willow sparrow were seen feeding on the dates tree of the island.

A familiar Grey Heron

Is my first time seeing a Great bittern. Not too bad for a non birding trip to see quite a number of birds.

Philae temple (E9/25)

 After arriving in Egypt for few days, finally get to visit an ancient monuments soon - Philae Temple!

In order to visit the temple, we have to take a boat to cross over to Agilkia island.

There are a lot of nice souvenirs available but we are too busy to look at it at the moment.

From pyramid to Goddess.

I'm sure one will find something interesting looking at so many choices available.

The boat ride took about 10 to 20 minutes.

This is not the original location of the temple. It was move here with the building of High Dam in Aswan.

Philae Temple have witnessed the rise and fall of several great empires. The monuments cover four major period of time: the last part of the Pharaonic era, the Ptolemaic period, the Roman and the Christian period.

The oldest and the most important temple on the island is Temple of Isis dedicated to goddess Isis.

Every part of the wall are cover with hieroglyphs.

Some are destroyed by subsequent religion that rise up following the downfall of the other empire.

The Kiosk rectangular in shape and surrounded by fourteen columns with floral.

Closer look at the  floral column.

The Philae temple may looks very Egyptian, is not difficult to spot it has difference influence over it's construction. Egyptian, Greeks and Roman all leave their marks.

Cruise on River Nile (E8/25)

One of the favourite things to do when visiting Egypt is to take a cruise at Nile. So many movies are some what getting their idea from cruise at Nile and "Death on Nile" being the latest. 

I can't wait to board the cruise after the over night train from Cairo. Is time to get a good lunch and shower!

My very first photo taken on board of my cruise of River Nile.

After a quick wash up, we head to the canteen for lunch. The food are served buffet style.

Starts my lunch with varieties of salads.

There are good selections cater to people of different diet need, be it vegetarian or no sea food, etc. The food may be included in the cruise package, however not for drinks. Drinking water, soft drinks or alchohor are charge separately. 

Is time to enjoy a good shower after the satisfied lunch and prepare to visit my very 1st ancient temple later.

Night Train from Cairo to Aswan (E7/25)

After our visit to NMEC, we will be taking an overnight train from Cairo all the way to Aswan with a transit at Luxor station for next part of our tour in Egypt - Cruise on River Nile! Cruise operated out of both Aswan & Luxor depends on individual preference and schedule.

A big and clear notice when I boarded the train.

After hours and hours of anticipation, we finally arrived at Luxor.

There is about 2 hours before our next train ride to Aswan.

Aswan, we are coming.

We have not had our breakfast yet, so simply bought it at the station from a street seller some cheese and ham.

After about 3 hours, we arrived at Aswan!

Aswan is really a busy maeket and tourist centre.

Even the taxi are painted to reflect the importance of tourist in Aswan. Can't wait to board our cruise to wash up and have a good lunch later.

National Museum Egyptian Civilisation NMEC (E6/25)

Knowing that we won't be able to see the famous King Tut's golden mask, we skipped Cairo Museum and go to National Museum of Egypt Civilisation (NMEC) instead.

There are several different design printed on the entrance tickets. I have no idea how many designs are there in total.

We are early so as others. Que are already formed when we arrived.

Among the visitors, there are many school children.

Life like replica at the entrance of the museum.

We head straight to the high lights of our visit - the mummies. No photograph allowed at this section, not even with phone. You will be ask to delete them if you do and the officer on duty ensure that.

Since no photo of the mummies allowed at the display, the next best thing is to take them when they are display on the giant screen if you are interested.

The process of mummification for those who wants to know more about why and how.

Amazingly after more than 3000 years, they are still well preserved.

No exception for ancient egyptian ladies, they also wants to look good and neat. They already have so many different designs of hair pin to help them looks neat and beautiful.

Bread is an important staple food since ancient egypt. 

In ancient world, one often showcase their ability to capture their enemy. 

We spend about 3 hours in the museum. You probably will need about 2 to 3 hours if you intend to cover all the display in the museum.
 

Streets of Cairo (E5/25)

We have a free day before taking night train to Aswan for our Nile River cruise. The sun already rise at around 6.30am right outside my hostel window.

Finally have a good look at Cairo from my hostel window while we are packing our luggage.

It seem that most building are leaving their construction waste on the roof. Perhaps the construction isn't completed yet?

Quite a lot of debris on the roof on the roof on this side of the street too.

Get connected online isn't difficult looking at the many satelite disc on the roof.

We passby but didn't enter this old museum, We instead on our way to the newer National Museum of Egyption Civilisation.

The worn out marble stairs that we came across enough to tell us the age of this building.

Solid letter box.

The famous Tahrir Square that have been changing its appearance over the years.

Street art on the street of Cairo.