• Sightseeing in Aswan

September 5, 2004

Waiting to board the ferry at Wadi Halfa in Sudan	The feluccas on the Nile River, Aswan	Bazaar shopping

I have finally gotten my hands on the laptop. It has become a routine to start typing my journal each time we reach a destination. I suppose it was my fault to leave the laptop in the car (I was on a passenger ferry while the cars were on barges) whereby I could not type my journal for the last three days.

We spent three nights and four days at the Aswan Oberoi Hotel. It was a welcome break to reach the hotel. After three days of not taking a shower, it felt almost heavenly when the water touched my skin.

The Aswan Oberoi is indeed a lovely hotel. The hotel is on an island and we have to take a boat to and from the hotel. The sight from the hotel is a feast for the eye. There are feluccas sailing in the river and the city of Aswan looks majestic in the daytime and magical at night.

I felt extremely privileged to step foot in Egypt – a land steeped in culture and history. I enjoyed the visit to the Philae Temple. We had to take a boat to reach the temple. The temple was extremely beautiful and the surroundings added to its beauty and serenity. The whole scene was truly picturesque. The sights looked like scenes out of postcards.

Our tour guide, Max, briefed us on the history of the temple. It was difficult to comprehend the labour and resources that had to be used to build this temple. I went to the temple in the morning and also at night when I went for the sound and light show. It was an entirely different experience visiting the temple at night. The temple seemed to take on a romantic feel. The sound and light show showcased the myth behind the temple. There were a few narrators narrating the story and the language used was very powerful. As I enjoy literature, the myth seemed to truly come alive, and listening to the story unfold against the backdrop of a pitch black sky illuminated with stars felt magical. I could almost feel the tangibility of love and romance in the air.

I also visited the Unfinished Obelisk. I suppose only a person who truly appreciates history would enjoy looking at stones and understanding the story behind them.

I enjoyed walking through the night bazaar, which stretched for miles. The people here usually come out in droves at night, perhaps due to the cooler weather. On the first night, the people looked at us curiously, trying to guess our nationality. On the following nights, however, as the locals began to recognise us, we were greeted with calls of “Malaysia” and “Malaysi”.

There were lots of papyrus, spices, Egyptian artefacts, shoes and clothing. I had lots of fun bargaining but I’m the type that needs the luxury of time before buying anything. I walked through the bazaar for three nights, yet could not find anything that caught my fancy. Well, I suppose I am just plain fussy.

The shopkeepers were extremely friendly. I had three on-the-spot marriage proposals, countless offers to have tea as well as invitations to parties. I also collected about six little stones that looked like little bugs courtesy of some of the shopkeepers. These shopkeepers have amazing marketing strategies – they are persistent, yet polite and courteous.

We were taken for a shopping tour to buy papyrus and perfume. I suppose a woman can never have enough perfume. I love perfume but I felt I did not have enough time at the store. Well, perfume would definitely be in my shopping list for the next stop.