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Farewell from Abu Simbel temple on Nasser Lake
Four seated monumental statues of pharaoh Ramesses II facing lake Nasser. You would already have guessed, I am looking at Abu Simbel temple. This is my last step before crossing the border into Sudan. One last time, Egypt will fill my eyes with wonders. Abu Simbel site, it is the colossal temples of Ramesses II (1279-1231 BC) and of his wife Nefertari. But also a quiet Nubian town on Nasser lake and the departing point to Wadi Halfa in nearby Sudan. The high dam of Aswan flooded large areas of Nubia in Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan in the 1960s. Unesco saved several major archaeological sites such as the Abu…
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Beauties of Nubia I: Elephantine island and Philae temple
Nubia is a different country, a treasure. The Elephantine island and Philae temple are jewels on the Nile. Nubians are extraordinarily friendly and welcoming. They have their own languages, culture, music and architecture. Aswan is a perfect spot for exploring the region. The pace of things is slower here, as an invitation to relax and enjoy. The blue waters of the Nile contrast with the golden dunes. On the banks, smooth rocks and thick vegetation flourish. The dance of feluccas and motor boats start at sunrise and stops at midnight. The flavour of Nubian cuisine is in the air. This place is certainly very different from Cairo and Saqqara in the…
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Travel Tips: Visa and overland border crossing Egypt-Sudan-Ethiopia
How to get the visa for Sudan and Ethiopia? How long does it take and how much does it cost? How to cross the border from Egypt to Sudan and then to Ethiopia? How to get through the Sudanese registration process? I found little information on the topic while I was organizing my trip. Hopefully this post will help fill the gaps. I crossed overland the Egypt/Sudan border and the Sudan/Ethiopia border in February 2018. Keep in mind that this is Africa, things can change quickly. I have a French passport and met several other European travellers (UK, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands) who went through the same procedures. Getting the Visa…
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Pyramids, Coptic churches, traffic… the many faces of Cairo, Egypt
I believe Egypt is the only country I heard so many contradictory opinions about. Some would tell how wonderful and incredible it is to see the pharaohs monuments and sail on the river Nile. Others would say it is chaotic, noisy and dirty everywhere, especially in Cairo. And then there will always be the ones warning you against travelling there because “it is a dangerous place”. The fact there are so many different perceptions of the very same place intrigue me. Of course, I learned at school about the great Ramses II, Toutankhamun and the mummies found inside pyramids and hidden tombs. But that was 2 to 5 thousands years…
