Aswan discovered us in the morning opening curtains of the window of our room. Landscape contrasted with the very ledge at our feet, the Nile flowing through the islands and rocks, a strip of green land and the mountains and desert. A warm breeze swept the city. Before leaving, we walk, small change of hotel (El Salam -> Athor Hotel ). Facing, the second is cheaper and has a rooftop swimming pool!
Discover the cornice. Here as elsewhere, we get up on our way to harangue us " taxi? "Carriage ? "- E xcuse me, Where do you come from? France. -How are you? " Caleche? Maybe tomorrow! " Five Pounds! . We're starting to do less attention. Although it remains impossible to be quiet during more than 5 minutes, there is more good humor than Luxor. The Nile is beautiful and the cornice is much more beautiful.
As in Luxor by cons, it's very difficult to find boarding the ferry across to Elephantine among the motorboats and feluccas. We do this and go through to Elephantine Island.
Elephantine Island. Beautifull island in the middle of the Nile extends along much of the city. It is divided into three parts: the south, an area archaeological / museum in the middle of the Nubian villages surrounded by fields and the North a horrible hotel that disfigures the island and honors both airports style "control tower" s' applied to this building ...
We start by visiting the museum does has little value. As usual, we'll watch keeper parts and tells us the following documents. We hesitate between laughter and excitement so it's ridiculous. Cons out by the large wooden house that houses the museum and its garden are more interesting.
On the other side of the Nile, the famous Cataract Hotel Death on the Nile rises majestically between the palm trees and large rounded rocks that line a Nile swirling.
We continue exploring the island by crossing the Nubian villages . Even if everything is a bit deserted at this hour hot day, we discover colorful houses, surrounded by green fields.
Nobody comes to meet us. Surprising but very nice to finally take a walk quietly. The camera is in my hand and the pictures taken on the fly, without being seen, without aiming, so we do not want that tourism also eats there.
Behind Elephantine the Nile at the option of shining ripples separates us from the island of flowers. Since there is no boat to cross (this season or at this hour?), We do not go.
Back in town and short walk (but challenging with the rise and heat!). We climb in the hills above the town to a restaurant (the Nubian House Restaurant) dominating the first cataract.
Being on the ridge we can see another side of the city of Aswan that few tourists have seen. Huge quarries (which have supplied stone throughout pharaonic Egypt) and especially for poor buildings that stretch across the valley. Again, this is quite disturbing to see so much poverty rub wealth ... What rhymes ultimately our place here as tourists? We're helping these people to get out or do we instead favor the frustrations and inequalities ... Pause reading, writing and napping around a Karkade Tea, hibiscus flower, with no other tourists. Unforgettable sunset on the first cataract and green islands.
Back in the city center and lunch at Panorama Restaurant . Recommended by the Routard is actually our first restaurant a few "gourmet" in Egypt. Originality without being expensive. Moist atmosphere of the evening. A good shower is waiting ...
Hotel : 55 LE (Athor Hotel. Not all the guides but clean enough and especially with a rooftop pool with panoramic views .... fantastic. Dej Breakfast included.)
Crossing : 4 (theoretically 1 LE / person /. .... by way necessarily obvious to enforce it's still very good but very cheap)
Museum: 20 THE
Resto evening : 50 THE
Bar: 16.5 ( Nubian House Restaurant attention nice view but in winter must be packed groups consumption VERY expensive!)
>> To J23 - Swimming on Isis Island
Elephantine Island. Beautifull island in the middle of the Nile extends along much of the city. It is divided into three parts: the south, an area archaeological / museum in the middle of the Nubian villages surrounded by fields and the North a horrible hotel that disfigures the island and honors both airports style "control tower" s' applied to this building ...
Beautiful Old Cataract Hotel New Cataract Hotel and ugly .... What people think of time?
Having survived the tour by the caretaker, we wander in the vast archaeological zone at the tip of the island. Breathtaking view on small islands or the Club Med, restaurant and other hotels competing instead. Off into the mountains the mausoleum of the Aga Khan who enjoy the view on the city for eternity. The sun step but a little breeze refreshed us. 
Back in town and short walk (but challenging with the rise and heat!). We climb in the hills above the town to a restaurant (the Nubian House Restaurant) dominating the first cataract.
Main expenses of the day (for 2):Stamps : 40 THE
Hotel : 55 LE (Athor Hotel. Not all the guides but clean enough and especially with a rooftop pool with panoramic views .... fantastic. Dej Breakfast included.)
Crossing : 4 (theoretically 1 LE / person /. .... by way necessarily obvious to enforce it's still very good but very cheap)
Museum: 20 THE
Resto evening : 50 THE
Bar: 16.5 ( Nubian House Restaurant attention nice view but in winter must be packed groups consumption VERY expensive!)
>> To J23 - Swimming on Isis Island
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