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The train trip ended up being bloody long. We were in with the Columbians which was fun but sleeping in a chair wasn't. We probably had about 4 hours sleep each but at least we had our sleeping bags. They had the air con set to Berlin so everyone was freezing but we were pretty toasty. We were so happy when the train arrived at 12pm and we piled off and boarded a bus. It took us to our hotel where we showered and relaxed. The view from our hotel in Aswan is beautiful. We are on a hill overlooking an oasis and the peace and quiet is perfect. But we were on a schedule so back on the bus.
Our first stops were the high and low dams of Aswan. These were built last century and provide most of the water for Egypt. When the dams were built a lot of temples and monuments had to be moved to higher ground. Apparently if the dams broke it would flood Egypt they hold so much water. From there it was on to Philae Temple. The temple was built by the Romans in Egyptian style and is one of the first monuments to be moved before the flooding. It is adorned with hieroglyphics however the Romans only copied them as they couldn't decipher. It was interesting but the fact that it wasn't constructed by Egyptians sort of lost some impact.
We went by Maccas on the way home as half of us are up at 2.30am. We are going to see a famous temple but the name escapes me at the moment. Jac and I had to see it as we watched a show, monster moves, with mum and dad last year. It was on this temple and how they dismantled and reconstructed it before the dam was flooded. It is an option that we just couldn't pass up.
So we're in bed now and will sleep pretty easy. After the temple tomorrow we cruise down the Nile and spend the night on a felucca. No motors just wind power, and sleeping on the deck. Peaceful and relaxing travel for the next few days will make a big change from the crazy roads.
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