Cancer The sign of Cancer (June 22 – July 22) has very little to do with that prickly crustacean, believe it or not. In fact, it’s hard to pin down exactly what constitutes the Cancer personality. The ancient Egyptians perceived Cancer as the sacred scarab. It was a symbol of resurrection and immortality and they often placed a carving of a scarab in the body where the heart had been, as part of the mummification process. Cancers are very imaginative and intuitive. They make great artists and musicians. They’re not risk takers, and will take the time to contemplate all sorts of outcomes and probabilities before taking on a new venture. They’re very sympathetic and protective of those around them. They will help out in whatever way they can, although not impulsively and will temper their generosity with calculating all the risks first. They’re emotional and loving, and great family and pet people. In the Zodiac Great Year, the Age of Cancer fell between 8600 and 6450 BCE. It was a time characterized by the worship of mother goddesses. During this period alcohol fermentation was discovered and people began to use copper. Cancers make good journalists, writers or politicians because of their ability to think and judge independently what they’re told. They’re good in public service, perhaps in social service agencies. Cancers are good providers because they themselves love comfort and a good life. Cancers can procrastinate and can upset their families with this trait. They’re not too good at taking orders, so positions where they’re required to be submissive or subordinate may not suit them well. Famous Cancers comprise an interesting mix of accomplishments. They include the Duke of Windsor and Bob Fosse, Sylvester Stallone, the Dalai Lama, Robin Williams and Ernest Hemingway. The best partner for Cancer is Taurus, while the sign with the least potential for a harmonious relationship with Cancer is Aries.
As a subculture of BDSM, bondage involves people being bound, tied up, or restrained for pleasure. More often than not, bondage is performed as a sexual practice. The derivation of pleasure or sexual gratification by bondage is also known as vincilagnia, from the root words “vincio ” meaning to bind or fetter with chains, and “ lagneia” which means lust. Recent studies show that approximately three quarters of all men in the United states think of the idea of bondage as erotic, and so do other women. This only goes to show that the sexual appeal of bondage appeals to both sexes regardless of sexual orientation. In terms of fashion, leather has been a staple piece for most people in the BDSM culture. This not only serves as their a statement, most accessories and equipments used for BDSM activities like whips, belts, cuffs, and restraints are often made of leather. Even though most bondage games end up in sexual activities, not all bondage role plays turn out that way. On the contrary, role plays between casually acquainted partners may just end up in masturbation, or, believe it or not, no sexual release at all. Safety is always a key issue when performing bondage as this usually requires the aid of different devices or mechanisms used to bound or suspend victims. A recent study showed that bondage is the safest fetish to engage in. But this is provided that the role play is acted out with sober, trusted individuals and with the use of sterile equipments. Being bound or tied up for a long time may cause friction on the submissive partner's skin. This, in turn, may lead to bruising and open scrape wounds on the area where the restraints were put. Using unsterilized equipment may put you at risk of incurring infection from those open scrape wounds. In cases where the restraints are placed on the partner's genital area, one's sexual health may be put to risk if you take a chance on using unhygienic equipments. There are currently six major categories to which bondage can be divided into, these are: l Bondage that pulls parts of the bodies together. The use of rope, straps, and harnesses are required to bound the hands or feet together. l Bondage that spreads parts of the body apart. This requires the use of spreader bars and x frames, this time, to spread the hands or the feet apart. l Bondage that ties the body down to another object. This type of bondage requires the use of chairs, beds, or stocks. l Bondage that suspends the body from another object. This is also called suspension bondage. This requires the aide of an elevated device to which suspension cables, or chains are connected to to have the bound partner hanging fully or partially in mid air. l Bondage that restricts normal movement. The use of hobble skirts, handcuffs, or pony harnesses are used to stop a person from being able to move naturally. l Bondage that wraps the whole body, or part of it, in bindings such as cloth or plastic. Materials such as saran wrap or cling film may be used for mummification of the bound partner. A sleepsack, a type of sleeping bag, is also used for this type of bondage. Role players often set a fantasy setting in which they can play bondage. These settings include: l Rape fantasy. In this setting, the dominant partner supposedly abducts the consenting victim and has total control to do whatever he pleases with the victim. l Domination and slavery. The victim supposedly attends a training session in which he is rewarded for his obedience, and punished for any form of defiance against his master. Humiliation is sometimes involved in this setting. Bondage is not only helpful to a couple's sexual health, it transcends beyond the act's sexual connotation. The bondage roleplay's need for openness, trust, and full understanding of each partner's difference brings about a new bonding experienced to a couple, holding them closer together.
Are you in love with lavender? If so, you're not alone, as lavender has become the most popular aromatic herb. In fact, in 1999, the "queen of herbs" was named as the "year of lavender!" As one of the most loved aromatic herbs, lavender has been cultivated and used throughout the centuries. In ancient times, the Egyptians used lavender in incense and perfume and it was even used in the mummification process. The Arabs, Greeks and Romans used lavender as an offering to their gods. Because of its tendency to render a better quality essential oil, true lavender which is found in the French and Mediterranean Alps, growing in altitudes of 6,000 feet is considered to be the most effective of these aromatic herbs. Common Uses Of Lavender As an essential oil in today's society, lavender is used, both internally and topically, for a number of conditions: Aromatic (a most popular fragrance) carminative (to relieve flatulence) antibacterial antiseptic nervine (to calm the nerves) expectorant stimulant cosmetic antispasmodic. It has also been used to prevent some childhood infections and to soothe temper tantrums in children. The most common uses of lavender are to: treat burns (from minor to scalding), eczema, grazes, cuts, inflammation, dermatitis, headaches, migraines, fainting, nausea, insomnia, bacterial infections, boils, acne, arthritis and rheumatism. As a germicidal agent, lavender oil is non toxic. It contains linalool and linalool acetate which play important roles in the healing process. Calming Effect Of Lavender Both humans and animals, when inhaling lavender, experience a sedative effect that closely favors the calming effect of the geranium and peppermint plants. This is probably the reason why these aromatic herbs are favored for a variety of uses from treating depression and sleep disorders to treating premenstrual syndrome. Lavender beauty and bath products, to be used for external purposes only, are often available in gift baskets. A wonderful gift for any occasion, lavender is sure to be appreciated by all who receive it. In addition to its use in aromatherapy products and treatments, lavender may be used to specifically treat depression. The Gift Of Lavender Lavender is a popular gift item that can be purchased separately or in a gift basket. Most of the aromatherapy gifts are made with essential oil and dried lavender buds. Examples of these are bar soap, bath bomb fizzers, bath crystals, bath oil beads, closet or drawer sachets, hand and body lotions, sleep pillows and soothing herbal sea salts. Beauty products that contain lavender range from body sprays and hair care products to a variety of skin care products. All of the above products mentioned are used for the sole purpose of creating a sense of peace and to promote relaxation. Lavender Trivia Did you know that lavender is also used in home cleaning products? Throughout history, lavender has found its way into the homes of many historical figures. Queen Victoria insisted that her furniture and floors be cleaned with lavender to freshen up the rooms in her castle. Queen Elizabeth I of England enjoyed drinking lavender tea as a way to relieve her migraines and other maladies. During World War I, nurses treated injured soldiers by washing their wounds with an antiseptic wash that contained lavender. Cooking With Lavender Lavender is an amazingly versatile herb that is also used for cooking not only at home, but also in many upscale restaurants. A member of the mint family, lavender flowers are wonderful flavor enhancers that can also add to the appearance of the food. Lavender flowers and leaves can be used freshly cut; their buds and stems can be dried before use. It is best to use lavender with other herbs, such as fennel, oregano and savory, and it can also be used with its other mint cousins (rosemary, sage and thyme). Lavender has an extremely powerful aroma, so it must be used sparingly or the recipe will have a bitter taste, and you'll feel like you are eating perfume. The next time you're cooking up a storm, add a sprig of lavender to the pot and enjoy!
Scents play a big role in our lives. Some fragrances may recall memories or transmit sensations. Who has not felt better after going to sauna with eucalyptus smell? Or associated flowers` scents to the feelings of calm and peace? Aromatherapy took advantage of this basic human instinct to treat diseases, provide well being, skin care and relaxation. It can be defined as the therapeutic use of essential oils for prevention and/or auxiliary treatment of physical, psychological and energetic problems. The true Aromatherapy consists on the therapeutic application of 100% essential oils in baths, massages, compresses, diffusions, internal use, etc. Before being used, the essential oils are frequently dissolved in neutral lotions such as vegetal oils, cereal water or cereal alcohol. This preserves chemical properties and chemical/physical activity in the human body. According to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils", the favored technique of aroma therapists is the massage, because it ensures that the oils are absorbed in the skin and into the blood stream. On this method, the essence is diluted into base oil (jojoba, avocado, peanut, soy, peach kernel oil, etc). Another book, "Aromatherapy: Healing for the Body & Soul", emphasizes the importance of rubbing the oil in the skin. The author, Kathi Keville, claims that the human touch warms the body, relieves stress, relaxes and encourages deep breathing. Benefits Aromatherapy is known for bringing well being and stress relieve to people, but this is only one of its possible benefits. This therapy can affect the body chemistry; the emotions and attitudes; and the ability of the body to function. The book "Aroma Therapy: Healing for the body and soul" cites a wide range of therapeutical uses for Aromatherapy: Reduction of pain, inflammations and spasms; Stimulation of the immune system, hormone production and blood circulation; Skin infections; Heal of respiratory and digestive problems; Emotional problems, like depression and panic. Precautions Some essential oils, like camphor, thuja and red thyme, can cause damage to the patients due to their high toxicity levels, which can cause severe dermal irritation. Essential oils should not be applied directly at the skin; they should be diluted in a carrier oil or cream. It is also suggested to do a patch test on the skin before using the essential oil, because some people can be very sensitive or have allergic reactions. Some oils, like the lemon and the verbena, when exposed to the sun, may cause spots. The "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils" warns that pregnant patients or the ones who have diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy can not be massaged with some essential oils. It is recommended that they inform the therapist about their condition. It also adverts that essential oils should not be used at home to treat serious medical or psychological problems. Oils properties The oils have different properties. Some of the most common essential oils are: · Calming chamomile, lavender, geranium; · Uplifting ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, neroli, lemon, fennel; · Energizing rosemary, thyme (white), grapefruit, cinnamon; · Cleansing rosemary, tea tree, lavender; frankincense; · Decongesting eucalyptus, pine, tea tree, peppermint; Profession Although nowadays Aromatherapy has become a widespread practice around the world, it is still considered a complementary medicine in the majority of the countries. In France, Aromatherapy is part of the formal education in Medical schools. During history, medicinal and aromatic plants were used to purify and scent places, scare away evil spirits, treat skin and other physical disorders as in the use of infusions, in the mummification process in ancient Egypt and Roman baths. According to The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), the organization that promotes and supports the practice of this method, there is no licensure or laws for Aromatherapy in the US. NAHA determined that to become an aroma therapist is necessary to be graduated in a course of at least 200 hours. Some professionals incorporate the training of this technique with their licensed work. It is the case of many massage therapists, acupuncturists, doctors and nurses.
Cairo is the historian’s haven and an architect’s delight! And if you are not a historian or an architect but intrigued by all the different stories, movies and documentaries, that you have come across about Egypt and are interested in living the experience what are you waiting for head off for a vacation to Cairo! Cairo in Arabic is actually AL QAHIRA meaning “The Triumphant”, named by Al Muez one of her Babylonian rulers. The foundations for Cairo were laid by Al Muez’s aid Gauwhar in the tenth century. Cairo is situated in the northeast part of Egypt. The great Blue Nile snakes through Cairo from the north to the south splitting her into two parts east and west. It is home to one of the most famous gigantic Seven Wonders of the World “The Pyramids of Giza”. To get there you can contact your nearest travel agent or book your tickets online. A number of renowned airlines fly to Cairo, such as Emirates, British Airways, Austrian, KLM, and Egypt Air. Once there you can check into a five star hotel or hostel depending on your budget or of course if you have planned a package tour then its going to be the hotel booked by your travel agent! Inside Cairo, you can travel by air, bus or train. Egypt air and Sinai Air operate flights to all the important parts of Cairo. Some of the bus services in Cairo are Middle Delta Bus Company, East Delta Bus Company, International Service Station (Sinai), Upper Egypt, West Delta Bus Company. The Egyptian railways operate several ordinary as well as air conditioned trains through out Cairo. The Gastronome’s Delight – You can choose from traditional Egyptian cuisine consisting of kebabs made from minced meat and a mix of spices roasted over coal or fried, fried and cooked beans is another traditional dish. If you are not a foodie and not very keen on teasing your taste buds you can settle for continental and a variety of international cuisine familiar to you. Now that you have a roof over your head and know what to eat in Cairo, here is where you can spend your time and energy while you are there! The Pyramids: The Egyptian pharos built the pyramids to preserve their mortal remains by mummification. They are symbols of the Egyptians’ belief in resurrection and the afterlife. The famous Pyramids of Giza are located at the western outskirts of Cairo. There are three of them the Small or First pyramid, the Second and the Great Pyramid. King Khufu also known as Cheops of the Fourth Dynasty built the great pyramid. Khufu’s son Khafre also known as, Chephren built the second pyramid. It is located to the south west of the great pyramid. The remains of Khafre's mortuary temple, the Temple of the Valley, and rising causeway can be seen at this site. These temples witnessed the religious rites during the embalming of the body. Menkaure or Mycerinus built the third pyramid. Although very small as compared to the first and second, its distinguishing factor is the original granite slab covering the lower sides. It is located to the south west of both the second and the great pyramids. The Sphinx: On the way to the Temple of the Valley, lies the large statue of the Sphinx. One of most famous monuments in the world, it is a legendary statue for it has the body of a lion and the face of a man. It is 70 m long and 20 m high. The face of the Sphinx closely resembles that of King Kephren. The Museum at Tahrir Square: offers visitors a chance to acquaint themselves with Egypt's ancient history over a period of 50 centuries. Its most significant artifact is the magnificent King Tutankhamen collection. Religious monuments: Cairo is not just a confluence of great civilizations but also of the different religions that its people followed. Churches: Most of the ancient churches are located in the Old Cairo, near the ruins of the Fortress of Babylon. Most of them were constructed around the 4th 5th and 6th century when Christianity spread in the area. Some such interesting sites are – Al Muaallaqah or Hanging Church was constructed around the 4th or 5th Century, named "Al Muaallaqah" because it was built on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Church of Abu Sergah (St Sergius) is built on the cave in which the Holy Family is believed to have stayed when they came to Egypt. It is regarded as a source of blessing. Church of Al Adra (The Virgin) dates back to the 8th Century, it contains some precious icons and has three "haykals" behind ivory inlaid wooden screens. Church of the Virgin in Zaytoon gained special significance after people reported the Apparition of the Virgin above one of itsChristianity in Egypt, were moved to this Cathedral from Venice where they had remained since their transport from Alexandria in the Middle Ages. The virgin’s tree and the Coptic museum are other interesting sites revealing dome. It is located in Al Zaytoon, in northeast Cairo. The Cathedral of Al Qiddis Morcos or St Mark is the largest church in Africa; it was built recently in Abbassia. The remains of St. Mark, the first to preach the presence of Christianity in Egypt. Mosques: The mosques of Egypt are testimony to the popularity of Islam in the country Mosque of Amr Ibn Al Aas (Al Fustat) was the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa. Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulum is the third largest mosque built in Egypt. It has a spacious hall (saha), unique spiral minaret and a large collection of gypsum decoration. AL Azhar Mosque was founded in Midan Hussein by Gawhar al Sikilli in AD 971 as both a mosque and Madrasah (school). It is named after Fatma al Zahraa, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. It is considered the oldest Islamic University. The Blue Mosque located in Tibbanah Street has one of the most impressive blue mosaics on its walls. The museum of Islamic art or Bab Al Khalq is regarded as the largest in the Middle East. It houses 80,000 rare objects dating from early Islam to the Ottoman period.
What is a talisman? The word "Talisman," derived from the Greek verb "teleo," means, primarily, to accomplish, or bring into effect. The Talisman is an object marked with magic signs and is believed to confer on its bearer supernatural powers or protection. Virtually every religion in human history has offered as adherents small decorative objects which purpose is to do anything ranging between healing, protection or success. Talismans and sacred geometry Very often the talismans symbols are taken out of sacred geometry. The term "sacred geometry" is used by archaeologists, anthropologists, and geometricians to encompass the religious, philosophical and spiritual beliefs that have sprung up around. It is a term covering Pythagorean geometry and neo Platonic geometry. Sacred geometry is often referred to as a language of G d. Sacred geometry symbols are a means of bringing subtle, inner realities to a focus in outward expression. Within the fundamental unity of consciousness, certain symbols, such as the lotus lifting itself in purity above the muddy water, possess universal relevance and power. Ancient Egyptian Talismans Scarab beetle The young scarab beetles emerged spontaneously from the burrow they were born in. Therefore they were worshipped as "Khepera", which means "the one who came forth". The scarab beetle god Khepera was believed to push the setting sun along the sky in the same manner as the beetle with his ball of dung. In many artifacts, the scarab is depicted pushing the sun along its course in the sky. Ankh The Ankh is a symbolic representation of both Physical and Eternal life. It is known as the original cross, which is a powerful symbol that was first created in Ancient Egypt. Ankh is typically associated with material things such as water, air, sun, as well as with the Gods, who are frequently pictured carrying an Ankh. Heart In Egyptian history, the heart replaced the heart which was removed during mummification. Sometimes assimilated to the Bennu, "Soul of Rв", it brings the protection of both Osiris and Rв. Other Egyptian talismans Buckle or Knot of Isis, Djed, Ba, Two Fingers and Udjat or Eye of Horus. Christian Talismans The cross The cross of Christianity was a symbol of the faith. It was previously considered a pagan symbol, with several early church fathers objecting to its use. The cross represents Christ's victory over death and sin, since it is believed that through His death he conquered death itself. Fish The fish's first known use as a Christian religious symbol was sometime within the first three centuries AD. Christians began using the Greek word for "fish" as an acronym for "Jesus Christ God's Son, Savior". Followers of Christianity were called Pisciculi; the root of this Latin word is "fish". Jewish and Kabbalah Talismans Star of David The name David in ancient Hebrew (during the time of King David) is made up of three letters "Dalet", "Vav" and "Dalet". The letter Dalet in ancient Hebrew is actually a triangle. King David used the six pointed star as his signature (the two triangles of his name). The middle letter "Vav" means six The six pointed star. The six points symbolize that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. King David used this symbol in the battlefield on his shield as an omen from God. Hamsa The Hamsa is known as the hand of Miriam or Hamesh hand. The Hamsa serves as an ancient talismanic way of averting the evil eye and providing a "protecting hand" or "Hand of God". The Hamsa often appears in stylized form, as a hand with three fingers raised, and sometimes with two thumbs arranged symmetrically. Five metals ring According to the ancient kabalistic text, the secret of the five metals ring success is that at the specific time of the creation of the ring with these five metals, Jupiter's influence is summoned forth. Jupiter is the star of development and expansion, and success is at it's strongest at the specific time of the ring's creation. The layer on the top of the five metals ring is pure gold. Below it there is a layer of lead and tin, and the last layer is copper, while the ring itself is made out of silver. Tree of life The Tree of Life is one of the most familiar of the Sacred Geometry Symbols. The structure of the Tree of Life is connected to the sacred teachings of the Jewish Kabbalah. The Tree of Life is explained in Sefer Yetzira ("Book of Creation"). The book explains the creation as a process involving the 10 divine numbers (sefirot) of God the Creator and the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The 10 sefirot together with the 22 letters constitute the "32 paths of secret wisdom". Buddhist Talismans Buddha Buddha images provide a reassuring reminder of the basic tenets of Buddhist religion. Just as Buddhist religion is practiced in many different ways, the Buddhist image also serves a wide variety of ritual purposes and has different meanings for different people. Buddha can be invested with a huge amount of information, meaning and implication; they evolve and they are given life. The Buddha image cast in the human form gives it a value presented as calm, still and serene. Mandalas The Tibetans create their beautiful Mandalas from colored sand and if you'll take a metal plate and cover it with sand and make it vibrate with different sounds, you will be able to see different structures that are formed in the sand, that are very similar to the sand Mandalas. In the end, after a few weeks when the Mandalas is finished, they simply wipe the sand off Mandalas to show the non attachment to the illusion of the external, and also to show the constant change and the process of life and death that takes place in the external world of illusion. OM Om (ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, first coming to light in the Vedic Tradition. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra". The symbol of Om contains three curves, one semicircle and a dot. The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state; the upper curve denotes deep sleep (or the unconscious) state, and the lower curve (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state. Tibetan Knot The Tibetan knot (Srivatsa or the endless knot) is one of the eight symbols of the Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan knot can stand for karmic consequences: pull here, something happens over there. It is an apt symbol for the Vajrayana methods: Often when we tug at one part of a knot while trying to loosen it, another part becomes tighter. You have to work with the knot to enable it to come undone. In its endless configuration, it evokes the cyclic nature of rebirth and also calls karmic connections to mind.
Egypt is where history first emerged. It is here that we have the first pictographic record of events and persons. Hieroglyphics, the system of writing used by ancient Egyptians can be traced back to about 3200 BC. At about 3180 BC, the nations of Upper and Lower Egypt were brought under the rule of a single king titled Pharaoh. The first Pharaoh is thought to have been Menes, who set his capital at Memphis, 22 km south of Giza in today's Cairo. The Pharaohs established the systems that brought forth the highly successful Egyptian civilization. The history of Ancient Egypt lasted for about 3,000 years. Ancient Egypt declined, was overrun and thereafter ruled by foreign powers. The Greeks and Romans who ruled after the decline were aware of the great similarity between their own gods and those of the Egyptians. They not only tolerated Egyptian religion, but also expanded existing temples and dedicated new ones to existing cults. Some of the new overlords, Alexander the Great for example, styled themselves as divine priest kings in imitation of the Pharaohs. Emperor Theodosius, who reigned after Christianity became the state religion in Rome, extinguished the last remnants of the living culture. The Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods a great offense against the monotheistic religions; whose first article of faith is that there is only one God. Theodosius decreed in AD 391that all pagan temples in the Roman Empire be closed. The Arabs, who brought Islam to Egypt in 640 AD, also had no time for deities such as Anubis the jackal, Horus the falcon god or even Amon the king of the gods. Ancient Egypt was dead for one thousand five hundred years, until the French came across the Rosetta Stone in the nineteenth century invasion of Egypt by Napoleon. This priceless discovery was inscribed in both Greek and Egyptian, and it was the key that allowed the deciphering of Hieroglyphics by Jean Francois Champollion in 1822. The voluminous literature produced by Ancient Egyptians was now accessible to curious scholars. This rekindled great interest in Ancient Egypt in the West that remains undiminished to this day. Religion is the common theme running through the attractions of ancient Egypt. The diversity of gods found worthy of worship is astounding. There were over 2,000 of them of either sex and they supposedly manifested themselves to earthlings as animals. There were overlaps and the same gods could be known with different names in various parts of the country. There was hardly any part of the life experience that was not assigned a deity digestion, mummification, sexuality, feasting, childbirth, writing you name it. Some gods came and went out of fashion, but those connected with basic aspects of life were enduring. Such deities had cults and temples dedicated to them. The afterlife was taken very seriously, and a lot of the monuments relate to preparation for that glorious time. Mortuary and burial preparation was so elaborate as to ensure a painless and enjoyable afterlife. The custom of mummification, for example, was seen as necessary for the soul needed a physical body to occupy in the other world. There was however great inequality in preparation for eternal life. The Pharaohs and other royals, nobles and key officials were mummified and accompanied by grave goods and great treasure. The common folk who could not afford the full treatment had to do with statuettes of mummies. The main draw to Egypt is the legacy of the Pharaohs and the Greeks and Romans who ruled after them. Basically this legacy is associated with temples, tombs and burial places. People in Egypt from the earliest times to present have always lived along the River Nile and this is where you find the richest harvest of ancient monuments. As many travelers will testify, the best way to experience classical Egypt is by taking a Nile cruise. The cruise is a very pleasant and relaxing way to get close to the attractions of antiquity, most of which are not far off from the banks of the river. You also get a glimpse of rural Egypt where many eke out a living just as their forbearers did thousands of years ago. The typical Nile cruiser is really a floating hotel. Amenities on board will include lounges, restaurants, bars, swimming pool, discotheque and shops. The rooms are rather smaller than those of a land based hotels but will have air conditioning, TV and enough room for twin beds, private shower, nightstand and dresser. The quality of cruisers varies and they are graded with stars just like hotels. Top end cruisers have spacious suites and amenities almost equal to those of ocean cruisers. Generally, the quality and romance of Nile cruisers surpasses other riverboats anywhere else in the world. Nile cruises normally take three, four or seven nights. You will be able to see the most important and interesting monuments on the shorter and more popular cruises that ply between Luxor and Aswan. The longer sail takes you up to Dendera. The boats sail both downstream and upstream and on the shorter cruises, you can embark at either Aswan or Luxor. The more adventurous travelers or those on a tight budget avoid the luxury cruisers in favour of fellucas the traditional Nile sailboats. Though amenities onboard fellucas are very basic, those who can survive them, visit all the attractions along the Nile at a fraction of the cost of the cruisers. At Aswan, the Nile is deep, calm and is at its most glorious. It is a good place to embark on your Nile cruise. Aswan was for long Egypt's southern frontier city and its gateway to Africa. This was the region known as Upper Egypt, being upstream of the Nile. After Aswan, the Nile passes through a section of hard rock, resulting in rapids or cataracts. Thus by nature did Aswan attain its strategic position and it has served as a garrison town for those who have ruled Egypt over the centuries. And for this reason, there are monuments here associated with the Pharaohs, Greeks, Romans, Christian Copts and Islam. At Aswan, make sure to visit the Philae Temple. Ptolemy II started the temple when the Greeks ruled, and the Romans completed it. It was dedicated to the goddess Isis, an important figure in Egyptian mythology that was worshipped across the Roman Empire. Even after Emperor Theodosius ordered all pagan temples to cease operations, Isis was still being glorified at Philae, until about AD 550 when Emperor Justinian finally shut down the temple. The early Christians converted the temple's hypostyle hall into a chapel. For good measure, they defaced some of the pagan reliefs adorning its walls. The temple forms an excellent backdrop for the nightly sound and light show. The temple was nearly lost after the Aswan High Dam was commissioned in the 1960's. It took UNESCO and the Egyptian government ten years to move it, one stone at a time, to higher ground on Agilka Island. Most people also visit Elephantine Island, which has temples and a museum. The Island has been inhabited since about 3000 BC and was an important trading and cultural centre. Aswan is home of the Nubians, a dark skinned people, related to the people of the north of the Sudan. You can see some Nubian villages at Elephantine Island. The Nubian museum celebrates Nubian culture right from prehistoric times. Aswan was once an important centre for Christian Copts. You can see the ruins of the once majestic Monastery of St Simeon, which was destroyed by the conqueror Saladin (Salah ad Din) in 1173 AD. Aswan was the source of the granite stone that the Pharaohs favoured for building temples and other monuments. The Northern Quarries are the site of the giant Unfinished Obelisk. Had the obelisk been successfully completed, it would be the single heaviest piece of monolithic stonework reaching about 42 m and weiging over 1168 tonnes. It must have broken the hearts of the builders, who supposedly abandoned it, after coming across defects in the rock formation. The next stop on the cruise is Kom Ombo, 48 km to the north of Aswan. The main attraction here is the Graeco Roman temple. Work on the temple was started by Ptolemy VII in early second century BC and continued by some of his successors. The Romans Emperor Augustus built part of the temple at around 30 BC. The Temple of Kom Ombo actually consists of two separate temples, each with its own entrance, colonnades, hypostyle hall and sanctuary. The southern temple is dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, while the northern one honours Horus the falcon god. Though the two gods shared the same grounds, in mythology, Sobek was associated with the god Seth, an enemy of Horus. At Kom Ombo, the gods took the liberty to bring along family Sobek sneaked in his consort Hathor and son Khonsu, while Horus had his wife Tesentnefert and son, Panebtawy. If you have not seen mummies before, be sure to see the mummified crocodiles in the Sobek part of the temple. At Edfu, you disembark to see the Temple of Horus. Edfu was the cult centre of Horus the falcon god. It is perhaps the best preserved of ancient temples of Egypt. The temple standing today was started by Ptolemy III at about 237 BC on the site of an earlier Pharaonic structure. Work continued under some of the Ptolemies that followed. Appropriately, the entrance adorned by two majestic granite falcons. The walls bear reliefs depicting Horus. One scene would please any tyrant it shows Ptolemy XII dealing mercilessly with his enemies. You next stop and highlight of the cruise is Luxor. The range, magnificence and diversity of the monuments in the Luxor area is unsurpassed in all of Egypt. Known to the Greeks as Thebes, Luxor became the capital of Egypt at around 2040 BC. The city survived the sacking by the Assyrians in the 7th century BC, but steadily declined, and was finally destroyed by the Romans in the first century BC. Among the celebrated monuments dating from Luxor's heydays are the necropolis complexes at the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and Tombs of the Nobles. You will also come across some outstanding temples scattered in the region. The Egyptians buried their dead in the direction of the setting sun and the west bank at Luxor was the final resting place of royalty and high officials. The Valley of Kings is where the rulers of the period historians refer to as the New Kingdom period (BC 1550 1070) awaited the afterlife. The Pharaoh normally picked the spot for his tomb and had it built in his lifetime. Tomb building for royalty and high officials was very serious business and it supported a battery of architects and craftsmen, who had a settlement in the valley. The valley contains over 60 tombs that have so far been excavated. The tombs have suffered in recent years due to increased number of visitors, pollution and the rising ground water that has come with the Aswan High Dam. For this reason, not all of them are open to the public at any one time. Unless you are a scholar, visiting three or four tombs should be sufficient. Among the best tombs are those of Ramses I, Tuthmosis III and Ramses VI. Tutankhamun's is today the most famous though he is not considered a significant Pharaoh and he died at only nineteen. Treasure hunters had over the years looted most tombs in the valley. But Howard Carter, the British archeologist, discovered Tutankhamun's tomb almost intact in 1922. The treasure that was found here is truly amazing statues, chests, chariots, beds, weapons, and many items he needed for the afterlife. The main item today at Tutankhamun's tomb is his mummy. About 1700 items recovered at the tomb are now at display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The most outstanding of the collection is the 11 kg solid gold death mask. Imagine then, what the looters carried off from the bigger tombs of the more illustrious Pharaohs! On the other side of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Deir el Bahri, built by Queen Hatshepsut. Hatseput. The temple is very impressive from a distance and is a great place to take photos. The name Valley of the Queens is misleading, as both male and female royals and some high officials were interred here. About 80 tombs have been identified, of which the most famous is that of Queen Nefertari. Take more photos at the Colossi of Memnon two huge statues that are the sole legacy of the temple of Amenhotep III. Amenhotep III also built the Temple of Luxor on the east bank. The temple was dedicated to the god Amon, though inside you also find a shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great. The temple's entrance is lined with Sphinxes, and inside you find colonnades, courts, obelisks and wall murals. The mosque of Shaykh Yusuf Abu al Hajjaj was built on top of part of the temple. You can also visit the Luxor Museum, which has interesting exhibits from the area. The incredibly impressive Temple of Karnak is a huge complex that was dedicated to the god Amon. In the New Kingdom period, this was the most important temple is Egypt. It is probably the largest religious building ever and it can carry no less than 10 average Christian cathedrals. Some of the interesting structures within the complex are the gigantic hypostyle hall, the Kiosk of Tarhaka, statue of Ramses II, temple of Ramses III and the sacred lake. The best time to take a Nile cruise is over the cooler months of November March. These are also the peak months and to avoid crowds, always start out early each day. October, at the end the hot season is tolerable, especially when you factor in that it falls with off season period: it is cheaper ad less crowded. When visiting the monuments, you are advised to hire a guide who will explain the historical context at each site. If you are on a Nile Cruise package, the services of a guide will usually be included. You do a lot of walking, and you need to bring along suitable shoes. Other items you ware encouraged to pack are: sunglasses and sun screen lotion. Remember also to carry bottled water and photographic film, which you can buy at the cruiser or at a bazaar. Light clothing is generally recommended though you may need a sweater and jacket for winter evenings.
