Ancient Egypt cruise: Exploring Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser on the MS Prince Abbas
21/03/2010 - MailOnline - by John Craven
At first it was just another hill of sand among the thousands that line the massive lake. For three days we had been sailing and had seen no people, roads or villages along the lake's banks - just empty desert. But as we came closer, it was obvious this particular mound was man-made; after all, there is no mistaking Abu Simbel.
Four 60ft statues of Ramesses the Second, ancient Egypt's most powerful king, guard the entrance to the great temple. Carved out of the hillside in the 13th Century BC, this amazing feat is even more remarkable as it now stands 270ft higher than in the time of Ramesses.
In an international rescue operation in the Sixties, the temple and a smaller one next door dedicated to his wife Nefertari were hauled up piece by 30-ton piece. The carefully numbered bits were reassembled in their entirety above the waters that flooded the countryside of Nubia and created Lake Nasser, where we were sailing.
At 350 miles long and 22 miles at its widest, the world's third-largest reservoir feels more like an inland sea. It was created by blocking the Nile at the Aswan High Dam. So a vast amount of fresh water from the heart of Africa is stored in an area which has seen only one hour of rain in the past five years.
Many thousands take the 175-mile bus ride across the desert from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Others arrive at the specially built airport. But they approach Abu Simbel from behind.
On board our fine vessel, the Prince Abbas, we lucky few got the full-frontal view as the captain brought us within a few yards. The chance to admire Abu Simbel from the waters that once threatened its destruction was the reason my wife and I chose this cruise - that and the prospect of seven days' total relaxation in unqualified luxury.
View our 'Sailing through the Desert' arrangement that John Craven went on.
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