Aswan to Abu Simbel

You know that you’re in that special photographic zone when you see a picture everywhere you look.

Saying farewell to a special place

Everywhere we’ve been in Egypt has been difficult to leave. We’ve enjoyed the accommodations and explored the slightly different flavours in our meals. Each stop has been a veritable feast for the stomach and eyes. In many ways, there is an overload of things to share.

As great as all what we’ve seen, what we ate and where we’ve stayed. The biggest takeaway has been the sense of sadness for having to say farewell to the people in each place. We’ve constantly felt like we’re more than just guests in hotels. It’s been like leaving long lost friends or favoured family members.

On the road again

This isn’t my hotel, it’s your second home!

Our host, and new family member, Mohamed, owner of New Abu Simbel Hotel

You know you’re in for a treat when the hotel owner greets you, introduces himself as the owner, then follows up with, “ This is my hotel and your second home.” Then proceeds to give you one wow experience after the other.

Mohamed understood that we needed sustinence right away, then gave us some time before a boat tour of Lake Nasser, the world’s largest man made lake. Home for dinner, then the site and sound show at the magnificent Abu Simbel.

Lake Nasser boat trip

The New Aswan Hotel Experience

Abdul the “Fire and Tea” man at the New Memnon Hotel at the soon to be completed fire pit.

The magic continued after the boat cruise, we were welcomed back at the hotel with open arms and the smallest, most productive fire I have seen. The hosts spread the mats, rugs, chairs for whatever our ability needed. This lot is very exhausted, the heat in excess of 38 degrees Celsius for a week straight is extracting a heavy toll. We’re simply not used to it.

This trip with all the planning (credit to Monique), all the arranging with tour guides, is a challenge. More on that later. For now, meet our extended family, the crew at the New Abu Simbel Hotel.