SGTrekker 8D7N Wonders of Egypt Photography Tour (28 Aug-04 Sep 2011)

[acpical]

Following a short break to wash up, we made our way to Midan Ramses (Ramses Station) for our overnight train to Aswan. One other feature of Sgtrekker trips is the variety of transportation modes where feasible.

While waiting for our train, it dawned upon us just what a treasure trove we found ourselves in, photographically speaking - especially those with Nocs.

Look behind you, limwhow! The action is the other way.

The queues were still orderly.

I am going home for the Eid!

Interior shot of the cabin.

 

[acpical]

On the road to Abu Simbel.

Accompanied by a lone guard armed with an automatic rifle, we left Aswan immediately after our train arrived for the 4 hour trip to Abu Simbel. The guard was an insurance against insurgents but the most dangerous things I saw were the 'flooded' roads and desert along the way.

Over-pp'ed on the next two shots - was trying to bring out the mirage and experimenting with new pp techniques.

Watch out for the flooded road ahead!

The seaside(?)

And of course, the rest stop. Smelly but satisfying!!

 

[limwhow]

Isn't the guard on an AK47? Or have I identified the weapon wrongly, acpical?

 

[acpical]

I only know it's an auto rifle, not sure what an AK looks like.

Isn't the guard on an AK47? Or have I identified the weapon wrongly, acpical?

 

[limwhow]

Midan Ramses (Ramses Station) for our overnight train to Aswan. One other feature of Sgtrekker trips is the variety of transportation modes where feasible.

While waiting for our train, it dawned upon us just what a treasure trove we found ourselves in, photographically speaking - especially those with Nocs.

Huh? Official name is Ramses Station? Not Giza Station?
Now who was that wise chap who told me it was the Giza Station! LOL...

Look behind you, limwhow! The action is the other way.

Hahaha... The Noctilux has tunnel vision mah... So can't tell behind while shooting in front lor... LOL...

I am coming home for the Eid!

Wah... This shot is so feeling-ful!
Hey I just noticed - you also going Black and White yah?!

And of course, the rest stop. Smelly but satisfying!!

So now I finally found out who was the one warning the ladies while doing his work inside the toilet! Hahaha...!

 

[acpical]

Abu Simbel was one of the more notable constructions under Ramses II, one of the last great pharaohs of Egypt. Buried in the sands until 1813, Abu Simbel was relocated from its original location from 1964 – 1968. This was to protect the site from the rising waters of Lake Nasser due to damming works.

Finished in 1244BC, it represented the southern reaches of the Egyptian empire. The massive sculptures, and the depictions of the victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh, were used to awe and intimidate Nubians – traders and enemies alike. Sited about 300km from current-day Aswan, it is near the present Sudanese border.

The temple complex is fronted by four statues of Ramses II. Each over 20m high, they are surrounded by smaller sculptures representing members of his family.

Dedicated to four gods – Ptah (the original Egyptian God), Ra (the Sun God), Amun (local deity of Thebes i.e. Luxor) and Ramses II (being a reincarnate of the Sky God Horus). As a sidenote, Egyptian gods were initially distinct but subsequently evolved to incorporate aspects of other deities. As such, it can cause confusion among laymen.

The Hypostyle Hall lies behind the entrance. It is supported by eight columns in the likeness of Ramses II in the pose of Osiris (father of Horus – told you it can be confusing). Storerooms branch out from the hall.

The sacred sanctuary of the four gods lies at the end of the complex. From left to right sit Ptah, Amun, Ramses II and Horus. The original alignment of the temple allows the sun to shine through the complex to the sanctuary, lighting up all gods except Ptah, which remained unlighted as he was connected to the underworld (always dark). This phenomenon occurs on 21 February and 21 October, which supposedly coincides with the birth and coronation of Ramses II. The new location delays this phenomenon by a day.

I borrow two pictures from VNGKS to show the storeroom and sanctuary.

Storeroom

Sacred Sanctuary (L-R: Ptah, Amun, Ramses II, Horus) - now he lighted up Ptah, I hope he doesn't bring any curse back with him!!

 

[acpical]

I must add that Abu Simbel was not in the original itinerary. It takes a four-hour bus trip each way to visit one site and can take up an entire day, so it's perfectly understandable. But SGtrekker was gracious enough to consider our request and shift the original plans. Just a few weeks before departure, we received news that Abu Simbel would indeed be included after all.

Eight hours on the road but I hope no one regretted it!

A front look at Abu Simbel.

1. Head and chest of second statue that fell soon after construction due to an earthquake.
2. 2 carvings of Ramses II worshipping the falcon god, Ra.
3. 22 baboon carvings worshipping the sun.
4. Guard by doorway (giving an idea of the size of the temple)

 

[AlexK]

I also do like this artistic appeal. Even the driver is smart looking ah, looks very professional and good looking.

SG trekker -your next Eygpt trip you must instruct your members to wear tie (minimum std).

divinemoment, thanks

 

[AlexK]

Following a short break to wash up, we made our way to Midan Ramses (Ramses Station) for our overnight train to Aswan. One other feature of Sgtrekker trips is the variety of transportation modes where feasible.

I am coming home for the Eid!

Like this shot. Got the feel .... :thumbsup:

 

[AlexK]

On the road to Abu Simbel.

And of course, the rest stop. Smelly but satisfying!!

Damn smelly but bo pian. However, it was indeed satifisfying. :bsmilie:

 

[divinemoment]

Interior shot of the cabin.

There's no bed? Just sleep sitting?

 

[acpical]

Thanks, gentlemen. Limwhow, the colour one doesn't look so good so I thought I would give b/w a go. But I often wonder just how much of the feeling was contributed by the medium alone.

Wah... This shot is so feeling-ful!
Hey I just noticed - you also going Black and White yah?!

Following a short break to wash up, we made our way to Midan Ramses (Ramses Station) for our overnight train to Aswan. One other feature of Sgtrekker trips is the variety of transportation modes where feasible.

I am coming home for the Eid!

Like this shot. Got the feel .... :thumbsup:

 

[acpical]

Actually, it is much better than the Sapa train. Each cabin sleeps two. You pull down the bench for the bottom bunk. The grey-brown plastic above can be pulled down for the top bunk.

There's no bed? Just sleep sitting?

 

[limwhow]

Vngks - thanks, man! You have given us at least a chance to re-view the interior of the Temple. So that whenever we want to we can always come back here on this thread to see Abu Simbel's outside and inside. Again. Somehow I have a feeling that there being absolutely no other visitors in Abu Simbel that day, if we gave that sole guard suficient baksheesh, we all would have had a field day shooting (without flash of course) inside the temple.

Acpical - you've outdone yourself, friend! Your labelled photo and history have given all of use a good headsup to Abu Simbel. Even where the head and chest rolled off to during the earthquake you also have numbered for us. Shukran!

Themageman - your shots are lovely. Hope to see more of shots!

Now AlexK - where are more of your portrait shots of this exotic people? Not to mention your landscape shots of Abu Simbel. I am sure you have some unique angles there! Also also don't forget Lai Peng's twin Nex5 gun - share with us her shots leh!

Dinosour - you have a very special camera (from what our balloon pilot Amr said). I'm looking forward to the moving pictures made by this special camera in addition to those made by your other more special cameras!

Francis Chia - where are yours and Chris's shots? Lai lai lai...! Haha..

Shunjie84 - eh, you put up one single shot only leh. Come, where are your other photos?! What about Mr Kopi? Haha.. Ask him to come in with his shots leh.

Now where on earth is that Ageless fellow ah?! He so darn on on Facebook, but never see his post here in CS, only in WTB WTB WTB posts... Wei, if you hear this, Ageless, it's time to share some shots liao!

One more... Nihao11.. he says he hardly comes on board to CS. Well.. vngks, you have got to remind him lor... Hahaha...

 

[limwhow]

Thanks, gentlemen. Limwhow, the colour one doesn't look so good so I thought I would give b/w a go. But I often wonder just how much of the feeling was contributed by the medium alone.

Some quotes:

• Like what divinemoment mentioned in his very beautiful set of B&W photos of his trips all over,
  "When you shoot colour, you shoot the clothes. But when you shoot B&W, you shoot the soul." - divinemoment's sumgmug collection.
• "Shooting B&W allow us to take away all the distractions from the colours and present only the story and the main theme, with the textures, and the shadows of black and grey conveying to the viewers in no uncertain terms the way you want the story to be told." - Lydon Weider Howard

 

[Dinosour]

I also took the same shot with different mood at the train station...

The guardian holding an 'ankh' aka key of life.

...& this was taken just outside the entrance to the temple.

 

[Dinosour]

...a peep of inside the temple from outside.

 

[divinemoment]

Some quotes:

• Like what divinemoment mentioned in his very beautiful set of B&W photos of his trips all over,
  "When you shoot colour, you shoot the clothes. But when you shoot B&W, you shoot the soul." - divinemoment's sumgmug collection.
• "Shooting B&W allow us to take away all the distractions from the colours and present only the story and the main theme, with the textures, and the shadows of black and grey conveying to the viewers in no uncertain terms the way you want the story to be told." - Lydon Weider Howard

Ha ha, I just borrowed the quotes from Ted Grant lah. And thanks for your nice words.

B/W does offer better impact and better story telling effect and the quote by LW Howard summed it up well. It took me a long while to appreciate B/W. I reckoned its an acquired taste like durian. Once you loved it, it grips on you. The interesting part is to choose the right composition that is suitable for B/W as not all pic will be suitable (eg. covering a snooker tournament game, haha).

My workflow now is firstly to identify pic that is suitable for B/W conversion. (I embraced this about a yr.+ ago). If it doesn't offer any impact, than it is “relegated” to colour. The real challenge in mono is the search/tweaking into various shades, texture and tone where my time was immersed over that of colour. Nik Silver Efex can do a pretty job over PS in this respect.

Ok, my nonsense has to stopped and sorry for my weekend rant.

 

[SK1968]

So you think I can divinely dig out similar images like the Sapa dog is it?

Not to take away attention here, I'm not joking. No pp.

http://david-low.smugmug.com/Monochrome/Monochrome/2138177_scfLWX#402617531_Tafy9-A-LB

Wah, this Merc is newer than the one limwhow saw

 

[AlexK]

While walking towards the Bent Pyramid, saw a group of our travelmates busy snapping photos of a camel.


#29 : The Bent Pyramid

#30 : While everyone busy taking photos, Melvin was discussing with the camel owner for fees and "model release form"

#31 : Ageless was busy too ......

#32 : I also joined in the fun to shoot the camel.

#33 : SereneXMM has the privilaged to ride on the camel.