Luxor to Kom Ombo

This turned out to be a long, gentle run with all the life of the river going on around us.

Along the banks are hills and palms that bring the closeness of the desert to mind.

The river is full of fish and provides a living for many of those who live in the villages along its banks.

There are some very elegant craft on the river

And the domesticated oxen are common

Traditional lateen rigged feluccas are the most elegant

There were lots of happy children and, indeed, everyone we met was happy to see us, in Luxor, Kom Ombo, Philae, Aswan, Abu Simbel, etc. The fall off in tourism has been catastrophic for those who depend, directly or indirectly, on it for a living. Our guide had not worked for a month and his assistant would not work again until March. The revolution, as much as it HAS to happen, has meant great difficulties for those in the South particularly, though they are far from any trouble.

Spearing fish

Nubian houses

Cave dwellings

The river approach to Kom Ombo is supposed to be spectacular, but with so many boats laid up for lack of trade, the view was rather obscured. Kom Ombo's reputation is that of being only an introduction to Edfu, but as we were not stopping there, it would have to do.

Sobek

The hypostyle hall

Thoth, Horus, Ra-Horakhty

Sunset through the pylon

In the event, it was rather good. Its location high above the river though close enough to walk to gives it a more stately setting, especially as the sun starts to set across the river. The carvings are good and the hypostyle hall, though nothing to compare with Karnak, has some great columns and capitals.

As we left to return to the boat, the temple was beautifully lit up in the warm night.