Sunset on the Nile

After a day of sight seeing, The High Dam in Aswan (which is more or less a hill) and the Temple of Philae, details to follow, I sat on the dock waiting for the little ferry to take me to the hotel. Perfect timing to see this felucca cross the setting sun. It was extremely peaceful, much as odds from the somewhat aggressive attention of the boat owners in other parts of Aswan.

The Temple of Philae is on an island in the Nile, moved and rebuilt to save it from destruction by flooding when the High Dam was built. Even though the price should have be 7le per person (28le for our entire group) we were asked for somewhere between 200le for the boat. Frustrating to say the least, the obnoxious lump of a man who offered us this bargain seemed determined to follow us around and make it as difficult as possible to find a boat after we declined his services.

Having finally made it over we explored and took in the sites. A well kept temple and great surroundings. As we left a lone swiss man was being hounded (aggressively) by the boat men who were determined to squeeze every last penny from the tourists in the area.

Not sure it's the best practice to shout at your customers and intimidate them into giving you money but that's the tact some seem to have taken.

Still when we were on the water is was calm and relaxing, this picture will be the reminder of today- a moment of relaxation in the madness of Egypt.

Abu Simbel tomorrow... relaxing day ahead?