The Evening Rays of Egypt!

Continues from Philae Temple-The Creation of God’s Home! 

The evening sun was turning golden in the horizon as we reached the banks of the Nile. The schedule was set for a felucca sail around the Elephantine Island. We started our sail from the straits of oldest hotel in Aswan where eminent personalities like Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie had reserved their rooms. As we started sailing, I looked back at the retracting scene of the hotel. How many characters must have born from Agatha’s pen while she peered into these waters from those windows!

The first scene we came across was the ruins of Yebu and the ancient nilometer. The nilometer was a structure constructed during Pharaonic times to measure the annual flood. Depending on this measurement, ancient Egyptians decided on the agricultural cycle of the year. Truly an admirable creation, their ruins clearly remain a proof for the ancient Egyptians' wisdom.

Our guide Fatima, who was from the elephantine island, was very passionate as she pointed out to the scenes of her home island. She was especially fond of the botanical garden of Lord Kitchner, a former counsel general in Egypt. It seems Lord Kitchner cradled a passion for flowers too. It seems the thickly green area is home for rare species of flora from all over the world.

Burial grounds of Agha Khan Mausoleum

We also sailed near the burial grounds of Agha Khan Mausoleum, the former leader of Ismaili Muslims. It was quite a scene to watch the beginning of Sahara desert on the very banks of the rich river of Nile. The ruins of Agha Khan Mansions boasted the luxuries of the land by their reflections on the evening waters. 

Feluccas

Grand old feluccas sailed in the direction of wind across the river. I expressed my desire to sail in them but immediately took it back. At a turn in the river a group of tourists where stuck in such a felucca in anticipation for the wind. 

As we reached back in our cruise, I asked the question, “Why this island is called Elephantine Island?” Fatima smiled, “There’s nothing to do with elephants in there. The island is believed to be in the shape of an elephant’s head.” With this, we parted with an agreement to meet next day morning.

Move n Pick hotel

Our evening tea was ready at the upper patio of the boat. The area was deserted as we reached there. The evening was turning misty under the crimson sun rays. On the opposite shore the only hotel in the Elephantine Island-Move n Pick- started to show off its row of lights. Though played around for some time, even little Shreya pondered over the beauty and kept silent. Much is awaiting us on the next day.





Continues in Kom Ombo Temple- A Visit to the Crocodiles and the Hawks