R. Doug Wicker's Blog

Nile Cruise — Touring Abu Simbel

Horus

The Ancient Egyptian god Horus had many roles. Horus was not just the god of the Sun (his right eye), as you can see depicted above with the sun perched upon his head. Horus was also was god of the sky, including the Moon (his left eye) as well, kingship, healing, protection, and various other realms. Horus was one busy little falcon. Horus also had many iterations, but he is most commonly depicted as a falcon. And Horus wasn’t the only Egyptian god with many different depictions. So, t...

Nile Cruise — Heading South by Road to Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel — Great Temple of Ramesses II (left); Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari

Bright and early the next morning, after our Philae Temple adventure of the day before, we met up with our exceptional companion/guide for this trip, Mohamad Salah. Our boat, Jaz Celebrity, was still moored in Aswan, and not scheduled to depart until early afternoon, which left us with time for an optional excurstion to Abu Simbel. As this excursion would take us close to the Egypt-Sudan border, and as relat...

Fun Photo Friday — Philae Temple Complex Favorites 2

Philae Temple Complex

Today I finish with these final Fun Photo Friday favorites. Next week it’s time to head south, toward Egypt’s border with Sudan, for a visit to the immense temples at Abu Simbel. Until then:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Nile Cruise — Touring Philae Temple Complex 4

The Temples of Philae

Philae Temple Complex. So much to see. So much to do. So much to photograph. So much history to absorb. An absolutely great start to our River Nile cruise, and we haven’t even set sail yet. Many thanks again to Luxor And Aswan Travel and our fantastic guide Mohamad Salah. Now for today’s final look (well, except for this week’s Fun Photo Friday, of course) at Philae Temple with his photo gallery/slide show:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Nile Cruise — Touring Philae Temple Complex 3

Gate of (Roman Emperor) Hadrian

There is a lot of vandalism and graffiti in evidence throughout the Philae Temple Complex. Historical vandalism and graffiti, perhaps, but vandalism and graffiti nonetheless — Greek vandalism/graffiti. Roman vandalism/graffiti. Crusader vandalism/graffiti. French vandalism/graffiti. English vandalism/graffiti. It’s a wonder that Banksy never made it here for a graffiti spree. Here is some particularly egregious Crusader vandalism:

Defaced bas relief

And an...

Fun Photo Friday — Philae Temple Complex Favorites 1

Hathor-headed Egyptian columns; Philae Temple Complex

The columns pictured above feature the Egyptian goddess Hathor. Her likeness adorns the columns at the Mimmisi temple at Philae. This temple commemorates the birth of Harpocrates (the child interation of Horus). Now for today’s Fun Photo Friday of Philae favorites:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Nile Cruise — Touring Philae Temple Complex 2

Coptic Cross? In Ancient Egypt?

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: So, these two ankhs and a Coptic cross walk into a temple in Egypt and…. Oh. You’ve heard it. Never mind. How about this one? A Knight Templar and a disfigured bas relief of the Egyptian god Horus walk into…. Oh. You’ve heard that one as well?

Cross Pattée at Philae Temple Complex

No. You’re not seeing things. And these symbols are not contemporaneous to the temples. Indeed, these particular symbols date back to the...

Nile Cruise — Touring Philae Temple Complex 1

Temple of Isis; Philae (Agilkia) Island

This past Friday I left you with a little mystery: When in Philae Island not Philae Island? The answer is this: When Philae Island is Agilkia Island. Although the island upon which the Philae Temple Complex currently sits is billed as Philae Island, the real Philae Island became endangered following the construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. And on that island sat the Philae Temple Complex. Philae Island flooded frequently, and that flooding was exa...

Fun Photo Friday — Aswan and Lake Nasser Favorites

Our Boat Driver’s Striking Nubian Features

Our boat driver to Philae Island had very striking facial features, which Mohamad told me were distinctively Nubian. I simply could not resist taking a photo of him, and he allowed me to do so. Here you can clearly see the classic tufted hair and high cheekbones, although his nose is a bit more hawkish,almost Roman-like is appearance. He was definitely photo worthy. Now for more Fun Photo Friday favorites of the Aswan-Lake Nasser area:

Russia Egyp...

Nile Cruise — Boating Lake Nasser to Philae Temples

Mohamad Salah and Ursula enjoying the boat ride to Philae

After departing Aswan High Dam, Mohamad arranged our land transportation to the anchorage from which our next adventure would begin. We passed through the gates picture below, ran the ubiquitous gauntlet of vendors selling everything from statuettes of various Ancient Egyptian royalty to pottery and jewelry, boarded a boat, and headed south toward Philae Island.

Philae Temple Anchorage

In case you’re wondering where this is in rel...