Aswan, Egypt
Aswan is a city located in the southern part of Egypt, along the eastern bank of the Nile River.
Nubian Museum: Assuan, Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan 1, Aswan Governorate 1240853
Aswan Botanical Garden: 3VVP+FQW, Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan, Aswan Governorate 1231011
Date Picture Taken: February, 2024
Unlike Cairo, Aswan does not have Uber available, but my stay owner called a taxi driver to take me to several locations in Aswan.
Aswan is a strategic location along the Nile River and is famous for the High Dam and the Aswan Reservoir (Lake Nasser), which were constructed to control the flow of the Nile and provide water for irrigation and electricity generation.
The first location that I went to was Unfinished Obelisk.
The Unfinished Obelisk, made of red granite, was never completed due to the discovery of cracks in the rock during the quarrying process. The obelisk was carved directly out of the bedrock, but the presence of these natural faults led to its abandonment.
The Unfinished Obelisk is a significant archaeological site that dates back to the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, around the 18th dynasty (circa 1500 BCE). It was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs in ancient Egyptian history.
The Unfinished Obelisk.
The second location that I went to was the Nubian Museum. Aswan is known for its connection to Nubian culture. The region has a significant Nubian population, and visitors can experience Nubian traditions, crafts, and hospitality in Aswan. I will have a separate post for this museum.
The next location that I went to was to ride a felucca in the Nile River. A felucca is a traditional wooden sailing boat commonly used in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly in Egypt.
I was the only one in the boat. I asked the driver to take me to the Aswan Botanical Garden in one of the small islands on the river.
There were many cruise ships to go to Luxor from Aswan.
Arrived at the Botanical Garden
Unlike the usual botanical gardens I have been to, this one had no hills; the garden was on a flat land.
At the one end of the garden is this market area.
I could see this sand dune area on the other side of the garden.
Back on to the boat and ready to return
Arrived at the city again
The city of Aswan while I was waiting for the taxi
The minibus is used as the bus.
