Temple of Wadi es-Seboua

Since we had a free morning  on the Omar Khayam, I took advantage of being away from the real world and had a massage!!! I can't believe I did a cruise ship massage, but it was quite wonderful.  After the massage I spent a few hours on the deck watching the banks of the Nile float by.  I was thoroughly prepared for the afternoon sights.  Our first stop is Wadi es-Seboua - the Valley of the Lions! Wow!  This temple was built by the 18th dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotop III and restored by Ramesses II.

Temple of Wadi es-Seboua

One of many sphinx of Ramesses which originally lined the road approaching the temple.

This man at the entrance holds a large stick.  Periodically he strolls through the temple and rids it of any venemous or other snakes who have attempted to take up residence.

There are beautiful carvings inside Wadi es-Seboua, as well as places for snakes to hide.

Taylor and I chose to walk to the next temple, but another option was to ride on this pony cart.

Oh what a view!

There's our boat.  This may be one of the more remote spots we've ever been in.

After visiting Wadi es-Seboua, it was hard to imagine there would be much else of interest in the neighborhood, but I was wrong.  A smaller temple is short distance away.

A simpler temple than the first, but lovely inside.

I know this is Isis.  She has the sun resting between two horns and a cell phone resting on top.

These are only a few of the many columns in this little temple.

On our way back to get the small boat which will ferry us to the Omar Khayam we notice we are not the only tourists here.  Another ship has joined ours.

We weren't lucky enough to see a crocodile in the Nile, but this fellow greeted us on our return to the ship.

After dinner the crocodile was gone, and this baboon greeted us instead.

After a long day, we enjoyed a little Nubian music and dance.