We got up very early but it wasn't too hard and took the van to the
felucca. It was an absolutely gorgeous sail around Elephantine Island
(only
a few ruins left there) to the vast desert mountains where the tombs of
the nobles are perched high on the Western Cliffs. Read Agatha
Christie's
"Death Comes as the End" to learn about these. They were the Keepers of
the South Gates for the Pharoahs. We climbed the high staircase
with
Naga, there were hardly any tourists around. We saw one tomb of a man
and
his son. A general who died in battle and a son who returned his body
and
buried his body in style with help from the Pharaoh. More stunning was
the tomb of Seneput II whose tomb was very large, A big pillared
hallway with frescoes and niches with painted mummy statues of the man
and his family. There was a crypt with old bones in baskets that
the guide made us hold. A sarcphagus room with lovely painted
frescoes.
They were 6th and 12th dynasty, respectively. That means ancient.
Seneput II
We had a great sail back after clilbing down in the sand (I retrieved some to bring home, so red!). The sailors made us tea on the boat on a little cook stove. Then we went to a little perfume shop and bought lovely glass bottles and perfume of lotus flowers and gardenias.
Perfume bottles
Had a nice swim and lunch in a real Egyptian local restaurant. Tomato salad, baked eggplant, the best tahini ever, fresh pita, rice, calamari and fresh mango juice. Had a great nap and then walked around the hotel shops. There was a gorgeous view of the Nile from the terrace...had another dip in the pool. The hot desert winds dry you off in minutes.
After dinner we cruised through the Nubian Museum which is just beautifully done, I could work here. I plan to go back and do some drawings. It's Abu Simbel tomorrow!
I love it here.
