Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel was one place I was really looking forward to visiting. I can still recall in the 1960's reading a story in LIFE magazine, that my dad subscribed to, that was about how this massive temple was moved. It has remained with me all the years since.

I was actually able to find an image of the magazine cover.

So we flew from Aswan to Abu-Simbel. Another early morning but not as bad as the 2:30 AM rousal in Giza.

A couple shots flying over the desert from Aswan to Abu-Simbel. Pretty grim looking countryside.

Lake Nasser below. It looks very black from the air. Lake Nasser is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The lake was created by the Upper Aswan Dam and is the reason the temples at Abu-Simbel had to be moved.

The upper torso had actually broken off at its original location but it was decided to leave it as it was when the temples were moved. So that is why it lies at the feet of the statue.

Inside.

The Pharaoh smiting a group of his enemies once again.

And here he is smiting just one enemy.

In the shot below you can actually see the cut marks in the rock.

This is the back side of the huge hill that houses the two temples.

A bunch more info about Abu-Simbel temples here.

Done.