R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 3

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...

Nile Cruise — Touring Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser

Cross Section of the High Aswan Dam

Our luggage was safely stowed aboard the Jaz Cruises‘ riverboat Jaz Celebrity in preparation for our voyage beginning the next day. But as for this day, Wednesday, 26 February 2025, we were out touring with our absolutely wonderful Luxor and Aswan Travel-assigned guide and expert in Ancient Egypt, Mohamad Salah. No. Not this Mohamed Salah, who spells his first name with an “e”:

Egyptian football hero Mohamed Salah playing for Premier League club Liverpoo...

Nile Cruise — Dining Aboard the Jaz Celebrity

Nile felucca in full sail

If you’re not that hungry, or if you’re just looking for something light to hold you until dinner in the main dining room, head on up to the Jaz Celebrity’s Sun Deck for an early afternoon snack of sandwiches and sweets:

Jaz Celebrity Sun Deck snacks — Sandwiches and cheese rolls Jaz Celebrity Sun Deck snacks — Cake slices and cookies

And, of course, don’t forget the views that come with the snacks:

Jaz Celebrity Sun Deck view

The main dining room is quit...

Nile Cruise — Our Accommodations Aboard the Jaz Celebrity

Flying the Egyptian Flag aboard the Jaz Celebrity

Before heading down to the cabin, let’s look around the top deck of Jaz Cruises’ River Nile boat Jaz Celebrity. Up here you’ll find sun lounges, a bar with lunch snacks (mostly sandwiches and some sweets), and a pool. That’s on top of the great River Nile views, so you’ll probably be spending a lot of time up here. And don’t worry about getting too much sun. There are tables and chairs beneath shades toward the aft end of the boat.

Jaz Cele...

Nile Cruise — First Look at the Jaz Celebrity and Meeting Mohamad Salah

Jaz Celebrity

Ursula and I left Cairo behind and flew south, reaching our next destination on this months-long trip, Aswan, on Wednesday, 26 February of this year. Here we were greeted by a driver from Luxor and Asway Travel, which would be supplying us the best guide we’ve ever encountered in all our travels. Not only would this guide, Mohamad Salah, meet us on our boat, he would sail with us in his own cabin and arrange travel and tours for us the entire cruise beginning with the day before...