September 22

Today was our final true day of the Nile River Cruise and our last excursion was to the Temple of Edfu, devoted to Horus the Falcon god (the god of war).  We began the day by boarding horse-drawn carriages for the 10-to-15 minute trip to the temple.  It was another "cool-ish" morning and the ride was very enjoyable.

Once we arrived at the temple we split up into our "A" - "B" - and "C" groups and we followed Hany to the temple.  It is the most completely restored temple in the Ancient World, not just Egypt.  The layout was similar as to all the other temples we've visited, but again it was just a wonder to all of us to see the carving, hieroglyphics, etc. from nearly 3,000 years ago all in near-mint condition.

The temple on the left - on the right is the current "ground level" for the town of Edfu.  So when excavation began in the 1890's only the very top of the temple was visible and everything we saw today was buried under nearly thirty feet of dirt and rubble!  

The ceremonial temple outside the main complex

The temple seen through the entry gates

The Temple of Edfu - dedicated to the god Horus

What the temple would have looked like in Ancient Egypt

One of the statutes of Horus

The entry through the first pylon - massive!

The underside of the gate of the first pylon - note the colors still visible

The best photo-op spot - in front of Horus sporting the dual crown signifying ruler of upper and lower Egypt

Looking into the temple through the seven doorways to the "Holy of Holy" inner sanctum

I took so many photos - as did many others - of the "mint condition" (comparatively speaking) of the carvings.  The detail - to be so clear after so long, and then there's the fact that this was all hand done.  WOW.

The pharaoh king

Horus (right) accepting gifts from the pharaoh

Horus & the pharaoh

Close-up of a cartouche with the pharaoh's name surrounded on either side by cobras for protection

This inscription is about eight inches long but I've blown it up so the details are easy to see - again, such work AND that it's in this good of shape!

As we left we had a few minutes to kill so we stopped by the cafe and lo & behold there was Cold Stone ice cream available so I had an ice cream sandwich....in the shadow of the ancient temple :)

The "Last Dinner" on board.  The six of us will be together tomorrow all day and for the farewell dinner but only Larry & Lisa will be continuing on to Jordan with us.  We are hopeful we can travel with our new friends sometime in the future!

The "bread pudding story"

So on Day 2 of the trip when we were in Giza at lunch it was pointed out to us that "Egyptian Bread Pudding" was available.  John and I are huge fans.  But it was nothing more than a few dough balls in warm milk.  The next night it was offered at the hotel - but again, disappointment.  The "sauce" which was like thick milk WAS sweet and tasty but neither of us could find any bread!  Tonight it was the "highlight dessert."  We were hopeful (top photo) but you can see our natural reaction Kim caught on camera.  To be fair it WAS the "best" of the three VERSIONS of bread pudding!