Philae temple complex | R. Doug Wicker — Author

Fun Photo Friday — Aswan and Lake Nasser Favorites

Our Boat Driver’s Striking Nubian Features

Our boat driver to Philae Island had very striking facial features, which Mohamad told me were distinctively Nubian. I simply could not resist taking a photo of him, and he allowed me to do so. Here you can clearly see the classic tufted hair and high cheekbones, although his nose is a bit more hawkish,almost Roman-like is appearance. He was definitely photo worthy. Now for more Fun Photo Friday favorites of the Aswan-Lake Nasser area:

Approaching the Philae Temple Anchorage entrance

By the way, what we today call “Philae Island” isn’t really Philae Island. That island disappeared. I’ll have more on that in Monday’s article. Until then, I’ll leave you contemplating this little mystery: When in Philae Island not Philae Island? Now for one final Fun Photo Friday image of Trajan’s Kiosk:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Nile Cruise — Boating Lake Nasser to Philae Temples

Mohamad Salah and Ursula enjoying the boat ride to Philae

After departing Aswan High Dam, Mohamad arranged our land transportation to the anchorage from which our next adventure would begin. We passed through the gates picture below, ran the ubiquitous gauntlet of vendors selling everything from statuettes of various Ancient Egyptian royalty to pottery and jewelry, boarded a boat, and headed south toward Philae Island.