RIKOLA Travel blog
The travel journals of a middle age couple
We enjoyed the cruise so much last Feb, so thought we would do another. As we’re culture vultures, lets mix it up a little.
Egypt, located in North Africa, is a land of ancient wonders and modern dynamism. Its history, dating back to the pharaohs, has left an indelible mark on the world, with iconic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx attracting visitors from across the globe.
The Nile River, the lifeblood of Egypt, flows through the country, creating fertile lands amidst the arid desert. This river has been central to Egyptian civilization for millennia, supporting agriculture and facilitating trade. Modern Egypt balances its rich heritage with contemporary development. Cities like Cairo, the capital, are bustling hubs of commerce and culture, reflecting the nation’s diverse population.
Economically, Egypt is a regional powerhouse, with sectors including tourism, agriculture, and industry contributing to its growth. The Suez Canal, a vital shipping lane, plays a crucial role in international trade.
Culturally, Egypt is a blend of Arab and African influences. Islam is the predominant religion, and Arabic is the official language. The country’s cultural legacy extends to literature, art, and music, reflecting its long and complex history. Egypt’s strategic location and historical significance continue to make it a key player in the Middle East and North Africa.
INTERESTING
Interesting place to visit but not on the “must do list”. Amazing feat of engineering though. It is guarded by the army due to its extreme importance.
LOVELY VISIT
Really loved a day time visit to the temple, I don’t recommend the light show. Even though it was fairly busy it’s big enough that you aren’t crowded in with loads of people. There is lots to see, even liked seeing the hundred years old graffiti! The temple is accessed via boat.
YOU’LL NEED TO BE ABLE BODIED!
Was an interesting back story but most of my attention was on staying upright! There was a bit we had to climb up and fortunately another man helped my husband to help me and I am able bodied!
Amazing
Was an amazing experience. The temples were moved in the 60’s which in itself must have been a massive undertaking. There is plenty to see, the carvings and pictures are incredible even with their 200 year old graffiti! It was incredibly busy when we went and we had a 4am start and a long coach journey to get there with an hour to look round both temples but it was worth it.
Temple of Kom Ombo – ★★★★★Fascination
This is a fascinating place to visit. This was included as part of our Tui river cruise. We were taken round by out Egyptologist who was really knowledgeable. The outer part of the temple was a hospital with amazing pictures of surgical instruments. The Egyptians were certainly very advanced it is a pity the knowledge was lost for several hundred years. The temple is particularly dedicated to the crocodile god so there is a museum displaying mummified crocodiles.
Salem hot air balloon – ★★★★★Fabulous experience
Absolutely fabulous experience. We were picked up from our Tui river boat early and it was a 25 minute drive. We paid $10 for photos and I can say it’s probably the best $10 I’ve ever spent! The photographer took loads of photos of us and put it altogether in a half hour video, which is a great keepsake.
The balloon ride itself was amazing, fantastic sunrise and looking down on the temples. The landing was nice and smooth. You do have to be fairly able bodied to get in and out of the basket. Also it’s an early start and in December it’s cold until the sun comes up!