Esna and Temple of Khnum

To arrive at the Temple of Khnum from the riverside quay, one must only pass through a short market.

Near the market is the oldest minaret in Egypt. There are also many modern minaret.

This temple was discovered 30 feet below the level of the city. It had been lost to history by the constant flooding of the Nile and silt deposits.

So far, the major part of the temple has been excavated. The part of the temple which ran to the river's banks still lies under 9 meters under the city.

The painted pillars and excellent carvings and hieroglyphics make it the prettiest temple we've seen.

Down the side of the temple, you can see the modern city beyond.

Departing the temple our guide leads us through the city. These men sell the traditional bread.

This fellow with the huge shotgun escorts us throughout the city. In other places, men with submachine guns guard select locations.

This is a common scene in Egypt.

In this location a building has collapsed from shoddy construction.

In some places the market appears modern and well organized, in other places the market screams poverty.

We visit a two-stage oil press from ancient times. The craftsman with his first stage grind wheel, our guide explaining the second stage press, and Carol with the craftsman. He was so excited that someone wanted a picture with him that he pulled out his phone and had us take one of the two of them on it.

We tour our return to the ship. First stop, a Coptic church. It has an iconostasis just like CJ's orthodox church.

The return continues. There are collapsed houses.

There are beautifully renovated houses.

There is the urban farmer with his cow and donkey.

We eventually make it back to the ship. Here Carol and her guardian angel, Hari.

We bid Adieu to Esna. Destination Aswan.