Are we all ready for another week of A-Z challenge posts? I admit, I’m not … I haven’t started working on this weeks posts as yet (I know, how slack am I?). So … head down and time to write. First post of the challenge week and I’m switching continents and countries again. How’s Egypt sound to everybody?
I went to Egypt back in 1996 as part of a rather large overseas trip. I had graduated from High School in 1995 and was in my first year of a double degree at The University of Sydney and I felt I was in need of a well deserved trip for working so hard. Nothing like patting yourself on the back huh? The holiday started in Egypt, then off to the UK and all over western Europe, before finishing up in Hong Kong. I believe it was about 6 weeks in duration.
My trip to Egypt started in Cairo where after a few days, I hopped on a cruise down the Nile River. Honestly, it was a fantastic way to see Egypt! One of my favourite stops on the trip was at the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae. For those who may not be aware, Isis was a goddess worshiped in ancient Egypt. She was a rather senior figure, married to her brother, Osiris, who was the god of the afterlife and resurrection. I’ve always been unclear on exactly what Isis is goddess of because she seems to cover a lot of ground – she was the ideal image of motherhood, protector of orphans, the poor and downtrodden, nature herself … the list goes on. She was also sometimes depicted with outstretched wings as a protector from evil. A very busy goddess indeed.
The Temple of Isis on Philae was built around 380-362BC (my memory isn’t what it used to be so I confess that date is thanks to google). The interesting thing though is that it wasn’t originally built on the island it currently stands on. When the Aswan Dam was built in the 1960’s the temple was at risk of damage and eventual destruction from the river waters, so UNESCO opted to move the ancient site to a new island location. This isn’t the only project which entailed moving a whole structure to safeguard it for future generations. They did the same thing at Abu Simbel but more of that in a future post. At any rate, I for one am so glad they saved this magnificent temple! It’s a beautiful, almost delicate or feminine, series of temples and statues.The engravings in the buildings are as clear as ever and on a lovely sunny day the reflection of this temple in the river waters in stunning. I know a lot of people think of the pyramids when they think of Egypt … not me. The pyramids, large though they are, pale in comparison to the beautiful architecture of the many temple sites along the Nile.
This post is part of my contribution to the A- Z Challenge for April 2016
Click here for a list and links to my other challenge posts!
The engravings of the temple are absolutely exquisite Kim, what a stunning set of photos. I must admit Egypt is one place I’d love to visit one day. It looks fascinating. Wonderful post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miriam. It’s hard not to be fascinated by a country with such a wealth of history. Let alone such magnificent structures as this. I always say to people that if they plan to visit Egypt, they should see Jordan at the same time as it is just as incredible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, it sounds wonderful. Just a dream for me at the moment, but still hopefully one day …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’ll get there one day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow this is beautiful. Inspires me to make the travel to Egypt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It’s never too late to make that trip 🙂
LikeLike
Stunning captures these are, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Hammad. Taken in the pre-digital era 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this. I have a unique connection with Egypt. My parents were planning to travel to Egypt. My mom found out she was pregnant with me and they had to cancel their trip. I hope they return one day. It’s beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Brooke. I’m glad you liked it. That is quite a connection! Were they supposed to travel around the time you were due to be born? I hope they get to visit it one day, maybe with you in tow?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think they want to bring their way-over-thirty daughter with them! It’s their time now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You never know! I’ll be 40 next year & I’m taking my father back to Europe this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photos as always, great job Kim. 🙂 Wonderful to see such sights coming home from a tiring day at work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I wasn’t sure how these photos would work as they are from the pre-digital age! Glad it gave you a good finish to the working day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes that is right, they are from way back. 🙂 I think I do have some great old photos from those days too…. but those photos are not in the computer, they are in boxes/albums. I guess I could go somewhere to get them scanned onto a USB/ disc or whatever… but it seems like such a hassle. Oh well, maybe some day. 🙂 Yes. your photos were perfect as an end to a tiring day at the office! Thanks you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back in the “old days” 😄 These were in albums too. I had to sit here there scanning each one, cropping and retouching to get rid of marks and blemishes. It’s definitely a lot of work!! On the plus side, I guess I have it saved in both digital and hardcopy now lol 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I should find one of those places that can do that sort of thing for you. I do not have a scanner at home… 🙂 Yes I can imagine the work with those old photos! But it is good, then you get to keep them looking “new” for a lot longer! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
hello Kim. Compliments for your blog; into your photos there is so history. Thanks !
many greetings from Italy 🙂
if you like, come to visit my blog. I wait you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie, Antonio! That’s very kind. It’s a country so rich is history. As is your own – Italy is beautiful!
LikeLike
Incredible!
I started blogging this month, and it is a pleasure that I came across your blog.
It has inspired me to start my third article.
Thank you:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! Welcome to the blogosphere and thanks for dropping by to check out my blog 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning photos! Better quality than I’ve seen in tour guides. What a treat to see such ancient buildings. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, thank you! That’s a huge compliment, Lillian. These photos were taken so long ago, well before digital cameras 🙂 It’s always amazing to see places like this with so much history and thankfully these buildings are well preserved!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures and what a trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was something else, Lyn. How this ancient civilisations built these magnificent structures is quite beyond me! I wonder if we’d have the skills today if our modern tools were taken away?
(You may get a flurry of responses from me here … I was just playing around, checking all the options for setting up my blog properly and for some reasons there’s a bunch of comments sitting in my “spam” folder … all from people that I regularly have conversations with! I have no idea why! … )
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes many times comments end up in spam!
LikeLike
Lol – I didn’t even know I had a spam folder! I was so annoyed when I saw all those comments from lovely people … in spam?! I always try to reply straight away so I was horrified!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know the same thing happened to me and there is pending also! I have found tons in pending
LikeLiked by 1 person