Day 10: Kom Ombo - Aswan
This morning we left Kom Ombo and sailed for Aswan.
Upon arrival, we visited the Papyrus Institute and learned about the centuries-old technique of creating paper from papyrus. Then we toured the Aswan High Dam, which was built in 1960, creating Lake Nasser (the world's largest artificial lake at the time). The dam forever changed the agricultural rhythms of Egypt. Once subject to devastating Nile floods, Egyptian farmers looked to the Aswan 
High Dam as a way of improving their ability to control their crops. We also saw the Old Dam, built by the British in the early 20th century.
High Dam as a way of improving their ability to control their crops. We also saw the Old Dam, built by the British in the early 20th century. After our visit to the Aswan High Dam, we visitied another temple - Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis and perched on an island in Lake Nasser. The temple complex dates from the 26th Dynasty, with additions through the Roman period when the Emperor Hadrian built a pavilion at the water’s edge. Pilgrims would come from all over the Mediterranean to worship Isis here. It was one of the last places where the ancient Egyptian religions flourished, well into the sixth century when Justinian finally closed it in AD 550. About this time we starting to suffer from ADGT. (another damn Greek temple)
Traditional felucca boats with their triangular sails were everywhere. After lunch, we sailed aboard one around Elephantine Island.
Journey Into The Past
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