Egypt Travel Part VII: Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple

April 1, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
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Egypt Travel Part VII: Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple

Day 6  Monday, 18 Dec 2017

Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan

In the morning we left our cruise boat at Aswan and travelled to a place near the city to see an unfinished obelisk which was left attached to the bedrock in the quarries of granite over 3000 years ago. It was abandoned due to the formation of cracks in it. It was believed that the obelisk was ordered by Queen Hatshepsut(1508-1459 B.C.).

Ticket to see an unfinished obelisk in Aswan

Ticket to see unfinished obelisk in Aswan

Ticket to see an unfinished obelisk in Aswan

Office and entrance to see the unfinished obelisk in Aswan

Unfinished Obelisk office and entrance in Aswan, Egypt

Unfinished Obelisk office and entrance in Aswan, Egypt

A short video clip about the unfinished obelisk was presented in the Office

A room showing visitors a short video clip about the unfinished obelisk

A room showing visitors a short video clip about the unfinished obelisk

The unfinished obelisk is located on a low hill of granite near the office, Aswan

 

Location of the unfinished obelisk

Location of the unfinished obelisk

Tour group walking up a low hill to see the unfinished obelisk

Tour group walking up a low hill to see the unfinished obelisk

Tour group walking up a low hill to see the unfinished obelisk

Tour group looking at the unfinished obelisk which was already cracked

Tour group looking at the unfinished obelisk

Tour group looking at the unfinished obelisk which was already cracked

The unfinished obelisk that was abandoned over 3000 years ago due to the formation of cracks in it

The unfinished obelisk that was abandoned over 3000 years ago

The unfinished obelisk that was abandoned over 3000 years ago

The unfinished obelisk was abandoned by Queen Hatshepsut(1508-1458) because it had formed cracks

The unfinished obelisk ordered by Queen Hatshepsut(1508-1458 B.C.) was abandoned over 3000 years ago due to the formation of cracks in it.

The unfinished obelisk ordered by Queen Hatshepsut(1508-1458 B.C.) was abandoned over 3000 years ago due to the formation of cracks in it.

Writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law at the site of the unfinished obelisk

Writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law at the Unfinished Obelisk site

Writer, wife, brother and sister-in-law at the Unfinished Obelisk site

Tour members, Peter Lim, and family were at the site, too.

Peter Lim and his happy family at the Unfinished Obelisk site, Aswan, Egypt

Peter Lim and his happy family at the unfinished obelisk site, Aswan, Egypt

Visiting Aswan High Dam

After seeing  the unfinished but cracked obelisk, we travelled on the road to a large dam known as Aswan High Dam. We entered the dam area with a ticket. It was heavily guarded by soldiers.

Ticket to visit Aswan High Dam, Egypt

Ticket to visit Aswan High Dam

Ticket to visit Aswan High Dam

Purposes of Aswan High Dam

The dam was built across River Nile in Aswan in 1960-1970 period. It controls flooding, provides water for irrigation and generates hydro-electricity for industries.

Dam Dimensions

The dam is 111 metres high, 3830 metres long and 980 metres wide at its base.

2100 MW of Electricity

The large lake created by the dam is known as Lake Nasser on one side(south) and the water of the lake flows through the dam power stations into River Nile on the other side(north) generating 2100 MW of electricity.

Visitors at the Aswan High Dam

Visitors at the Aswan High Dam, Egypt

Visitors at the Aswan High Dam, Egypt

Lake Nasser, a large artificial lake, was created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. It covers a surface area of 5250 sq. km.

Lake Nasser, an artificial lake created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt

Lake Nasser, an artificial lake created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt

Water from Lake Nasser flows through the dam and power stations into River Nile in the north

River Nile in the north of the Aswan High Dam

River Nile in the north of the Aswan High Dam

Diagram showing water flowing from Lake Nasser through the dam to the power stations and then to River Nile

Diagram showing water flowing from Lake Nasser to the power-stations

Diagram showing water flowing from Lake Nasser to the power-stations and then to River Nile

Diagram showing the power stations that can generate hydro-electricity of 2100 MW capacity

Diagram showing water flowing from Lake Nasser to the power stations generating hydro-electricity of capacity 2100 MW

Diagram showing water flowing from Lake Nasser to the power stations generating hydro-electricity of capacity of 2100 MW

Writer and wife at the Aswan High Dam, Egypt

Writer and wife at the Aswan High Dam in Egypt

Writer and wife at the Aswan High Dam in Egypt

Visiting Philae Temple or Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island

Then we left the Aswan High Dam and moved on to another place to see an ancient temple. We had to take a motor-boat to a tiny island, Agilkia Island, in the Lake of Nasser. That temple is called Philae Temple or Temple of Isis. It was relocated to that island before its original site nearby was submerged by Lake Nasser in the 1970s.

Ptolemy II(Reign:285-246 B.C.)

The temple was constructed by Ptolemy II when he ruled Ptolemaic Egypt from 285 until 246 B.C. It was dedicated to Goddess Isis who was the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. More parts were added to the main temple later by other Ptolemaic kings. Traces of the work done by some Roman emperors were discovered at the temple.

The Philae Temple or Temple of Isis was abandoned in the 6th. Century due to the arrival of Christianity and Islam.

Tour Group taking a motorboat from the Marina Philae Temple Jetty to Agilkia Island

Tour group taking a motor-boat to Agilkia Island from the Marina Philae Temple jetty in Aswan

Tour group taking a motor-boat to Agilkia Island from the Marina Philae Temple jetty in Aswan

Philae Temple or Temple of Isis is now on Agilkia Island in Aswan

Philae Temple or Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island in Aswan

Philae Temple or Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island in Aswan

Pylon or Facade of Philae Temple or Temple of Isis

Pylon or facade of Philae Temple of Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island, Aswan

Pylon or facade of Philae Temple or Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island, Aswan

Left Colonnades of Philae Temple or Temple of Isis

A row of colonnades on the left of the Temple of Isis

A row of colonnades on the left of the Temple of Philae or Isis

Right Colonnades of Philae Temple or Temple of Isis

A row of colonnades on the right of the Temple of Isis

A row of colonnades on the right of the Temple of Philae or Isis

Entrance of Sanctuary of Goddess Isis

Entrance to the Sanctuary of Goddess Isis

Entrance of the Sanctuary of Goddess Isis

Sanctuary of Goddess Isis

The sanctuary of Goddess Isis

The sanctuary of Goddess Isis

Egyptian Tour Guide talking about the Philae Temple or Temple of Isis to the Tour Group

Egyptian tour guide, Khaled, telling the tour group about the Temple of Isis

Egyptian tour guide, Khaled, telling the tour group about the Temple of Isis

A relief on a temple wall showing the figures of Goddess Isis

A ruined relief at the Temple of Isis showing figures of Goddess Isis

A relief on a wall of the Temple of Isis showing figures of Goddess Isis

A defaced relief showing Goddess Isis watching a priest treating a sick person

A relief at the Temple of Isis showing Goddess Isis watching a priest treating a sick person

A relief at the Temple of Isis showing Goddess Isis watching a priest treating a sick person

A relief showing a priest offering food to Goddess Isis

A relief at the Temple of Isis showing a priest offering food to Goddess Isis

A relief at the Temple of Isis showing a priest offering food to Goddess Isis

A relief showing a priest worshipping Goddess Isis

A relief showing a priest worshipping Goddess Isis

A relief showing a priest worshipping Goddess Isis

Trajan’s Kiosk near the Temple of Isis was built by a Roman emperor, Trajan, who ruled his empire from 98 until 117 A.D..

Trajan's Kiosk was built near the Temple of Isis by a Roman emperor, Trajan who ruled his empire from 98 until 117 A.D.

Trajan’s Kiosk was built near the Temple of Isis by a Roman emperor, Trajan who ruled his empire from 98 until 117 A.D.

An altar for making offerings to Goddess Isis

An altar, a flat-topped block, for offerings to Goddess Isis

An altar, a flat-topped block, for making offerings to Goddess Isis

Writer and wife at the Philae Temple or Temple of Isis on 18 Dec 2017

Writer and wife visiting the Temple of Isis or Philae Temple, Aswan

Writer and wife visiting the Temple of Isis or Philae Temple, Aswan, on 18 Dec 2017

Tour Group leaving Agilkia Island where the Philae Temple or Temple of Isis is located

Tour group leaving Agilkia Island by boat

Tour group leaving Agilkia Island by boat

Tour group going for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

We returned to the Marina Temple Philae from Agilkia Island and took another boat to a tiny island to have a Nubian lunch at a restaurant known as el Dokka Restaurant in Aswan.

Tour group taking another boat from Marina Temple Philae  to a small island for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant in Aswan

Tour group boarding a boat to a small island for a Nubian lunch

Tour group boarding a boat to a small island for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant

Tour Group arriving at a tiny island for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant

Tour group arriving on an island for a Nubian lunch

Tour group arriving on an island for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant

el Dokka Restaurant atop a rock

Tour group going for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant on a small island, Aswan

Tour group going for a Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant on a small island, Aswan

Dining Hall of el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

Tour group having Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

Tour group having Nubian lunch at el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

A plate of Nubian fried chicken and rice

A plate of fried chicken and rice

A plate of fried chicken and rice

Nubian fried mushrooms and salad

Fried mushroom and salad with mayonnaise

Fried mushroom and salad with mayonnaise

A Nubian claypot dish

A Nubian claypot dish

A Nubian claypot dish

Nubian coffee for guests at el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

A cup of coffee for guests at el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

A cup of coffee for guests at el Dokka Restaurant, Aswan

A five-star hotel, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, on the Bank of River Nile

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel. a 5-star hotel on the bank of River Nile in Aswan

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel. a 5-star hotel on the bank of River Nile in Aswan

Flying back to Cairo from Aswan

In the evening we took an airplane at Aswan International Airport and flew back to Cairo, a distance of 682 km, for an hour and 10 minutes.

On arrival at Cairo we checked in at Le Meridien Hotel. Early in the following morning, we left the hotel by coach for Sinai Peninsula in the east.

(Continue in Egypt Travel Part VIII)

Previous / Home / Next

Egypt Travel Parts I to XII

Egypt Travel Part I :Salah el Din Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque, Tahrir Square and Egyptian Museum

Egypt Travel Part II :Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon

Egypt Travel Part III :Hot Air Balloons and Karnak Temple Complex

Egypt Travel Part IV :Papyrus Paper-Making, Luxor Temple and Esna Lock

Egypt Travel Part V :Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Galabia Party

Egypt Travel Part VI :Abu Simbel Temples and Nubian Village(Elephantine Island)

Egypt Travel Part VII :Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple

Egypt Travel Part VIII:Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel, Moon Beach(Ras Sudr), and St. Catherine

Egypt Travel Part IX :Mount Sinai, Catherine’s Monastery and Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt Travel Part X  :Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt Travel Part XI :Cairo Food, Saqqara Step Pyramid Complex and Memphis

Egypt Travel Part XII :Great Giza Pyramid Complex and Khan el Khalil Bazaar