Feb
14

Meet Elephantine Island (my new love) in photos!

“IN PHOTOS” is a series I will use to share many of the hundreds of photos I have taken during my travels. It is a series I have thought about for a while now, but did not want to start until I got back home from my trip. However after spending a week in Chefchaouen, Morocco I couldn’t wait any longer. “IN PHOTOS” will not have a set schedule like my “MUSIC MONDAY” or “PHOTO ROUND UP” series. “IN PHOTOS” will be a post with several photos with no limit. The only restriction this series will have is that it must be about a certain subject or theme. I will write a brief paragraph or sentence describing the subject or theme of the photos and then post the photos. I will label the photos (if you hover over them with your mouse you will see the label), but I will not caption the photos like I do on my blog post or on “PHOTO ROUND UP” with my thoughts. I want to use “IN PHOTOS” to share my photos and let you come up with your own thoughts about the images and hope you share them with me.

A part of me honestly doesn’t want to share these photos with you or even let you know about this Island. I know it’s in the guide books (Lonely Planet) and I know people know about it, but it seems like not enough because during my visit here I only ran into maybe one or two other tourist. I am going to share these photos and tell you about this beautiful island anyway to show you a different side of Egypt. You won’t find temples or a desert or pyramids or hell even a square here, but you will find one of the most beautiful Islands in the world. Okay one of the most beautiful Islands I have visited (so far). I hope after seeing these you don’t want to visit (and yes I mean that).

Elephantine Island is located in the middle of the Nile river in front of the city of Aswan it is 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) from north to south, and is 400 metres (1,300 ft) across at its widest point. Yeah it’s a tiny island with no cars and donkeys rule the roads.  The island gets its name from 2 rumored sources… the 1st one is because way back 3000 B.C. it was a strategic point for trade in the region and one of the main items traded was IVORY the 2nd rumor is that it received the name because of the shapes of the rocks found around the island (check out the 1st two photos).

So why is Elephantine “MY NEW LOVE” ahhh for many reasons. I had spent one afternoon with Mica from Kaypacha Travels roaming the island and from the moment we stepped on I knew I could easily spend weeks here doing nothing and love it. I mean seriously look at the photos look how beautiful and adorable this place is. The colors, the houses, the dirt roads and the people made me love it even more. I ended up coming back 3 more times. Yes I spent 3 afternoons here and loved every minute of them. I had one of the most special moments of my trip here. I spent one afternoon and evening speaking to locals and chatting away. I was then invited the next day for dinner and to spend more time with them. I have photos and video of all of us, but want to keep those to my self for now (I will show you the Islands, but not my locals). I even took a Felucca ride around the island and was able to capture more of it’s charm & beauty. I wasn’t ready to leave Aswan (because of this Island), but knew I had too move on. I did however let them know I would be coming back during the summer to spend more time with them and even go swimming in the Nile.  For now though just in time for Valentine’s Day I want you to meet Elephantine Island (my new love) in photos!

Elephantine Island

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Hope you enjoyed the photos & I hope you share your thoughts below.

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Comments

  1. Moving, beautiful, loved every single shot! Thanks for making me daydream once again 🙂
    Giulia recently posted..My #7SuperShots with Hostelbookers

    • Thanks Giulia, glad I can continue to make you daydream about Egypt. I know you have see so much more of it then I have but I hope I am capturing maybe a side you didn’t see or capture.

  2. You KNOW we’re suckers for pictures of windows and doors 🙂 (The rocks do look like elephants!)
    Kent @ No Vacation Required recently posted..A Travel Dream – Show Up at the Airport and Go Anywhere.

    • I know I know… I am too Kent… I love a beautiful door or window and well this town was just perfect for it. Oh & I know the rocks are crazy…lol. I love them too~

  3. nice photos man… the rock really looks like an elephant

  4. I would never want to leave if I was there! Gorgeous!

  5. I love windows and doors too, these are gorgeous.
    Ayngelina recently posted..Have you met Kaori?

  6. QueenBrain12 says:

    I enjoyed each picture. I wish I was with you physically at least for one day.

    missing you like crazy,

    QueenB

  7. Hi cutie! Reminds me of my experience at Tioman Island in Malaysia. It took us 14 hours to get there by random buses and ferry boats (should’ve taken 5 but… it was a mess). That’s what made it so worth it though! There was nothing like it and it’s exactly how you see paradise in the movies. You absolutely must make it to Southeast Asia if you can. You’ll love it! I miss you! Love the photos. Going back to Belgium next month. Wish we could meet up again!

    Best,
    Lisa

    • EEEEeeee hey Lisa, I miss ya tons! I remember you telling me about that island… when & if I ever make it to SEA I will get ahold of ya to know where this place is. Glad you loved the photos & ahh yes that would be amazing to meet up! I’m wondering why you are going back to Belgium… but I think I know why…lol!!!

  8. I’d never heard of this place before now, Jaime! Really beautiful photos – I love colourful places with paintings on the streets that look ever-so-slightly dilapidated. Reminds me slightly of Ayvalik in Turkey (if you go to Turkey again and need a place to chill, make a bee-line for it!) I think number 10 is my favourite pic.
    Waegook Tom recently posted..5 Signs that an Expat should go back to their Adopted Country…

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thanks WT, this place is amazing… seriously just so damn beautiful and pieceful. Thanks for the tip on Turkey… I will come back to this when i am there, because I am going back to Turkey and wanna see more of it.

  9. Martin marpegan says:

    Beautiful pictures! I visited the island back in 1997, it looks pretty much the same. So good to know that it hasnt lost its magic and that the local Nubian people are still as warm and welcoming. Good travels!

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