Next Stop: Ancient Syene

Switching Hats: Setting Up Base in Ancient Syene

Taking a “second breakfast” just across the street from the Colossai of Memnon in Luxor.

Our "Biblical Egypt" tour group safely headed back to the States last night. They were a good bunch!

Instead of joining them, I packed my bags and flew back to the deep south of Egypt. I just checked into my room in Aswan for the next eight days, and was pleased to discover my front door is just 35 feet from the Nile River. I’m looking out my window at Elephantine Island as I write these words.

I plan on using this location as a scouting base to explore the region for future tours.

View to one branch of the Nile with Elephantine Island on the far side.

The Biblical Connection

During the late Old Testament period, Aswan was known as Syene. It holds significant history and is explicitly mentioned twice in the prophetic book of Ezekiel (29:10 and 30:6).

Stay tuned, because I will be sharing more about the history of this place in the coming days.

River row at the Obilisk Nile Hotel for the next week.

Surviving the Deep South

Of course, scouting new location comes with its own challenges.

• The bad news: It is currently a scorching 119°F (48°C) outside.

• The good news: It is a “dry heat” and my laundry dries quickly.

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We plan to be back in Egypt in 2027. Group excursions are planned for Jan 1-9, Jan 22-Feb 3, Mar 30-Apr 8, and Oct 19-28. Seats are available. To learn more about these or other trips with Bible Land Explorer, follow the link here. Discover the place where faith begins!

Hold a Baby Crocodile in Aswan's Nubian Village

Riverboats at anchor in Aswan, Egypt.

The Nubian Village in Aswan, Egypt, is famous for its bright houses and kind people. However, many travelers visit for a more thrilling reason: the chance to hold a live baby crocodile.

Crocodiles hold a sacred place in Nubian culture. Here is what you need to know about this unique, hands-on (we hope!) experience.

A Living Ancient Tradition

Nubian people have a deep connection to the Nile River. In ancient Egypt, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was worshiped as Sobek, the god of fertility and pharaonic power.

Today, Nubian families continue this old tradition by keeping crocodiles in their homes as symbols of protection and good fortune.

Of course, they only keep immature ones. A mature male Nile crocodiles can measure 11 to 16 feet in length and can weigh up to 1,600 pounds. Specimens are released into the river above the high dam long before they reach this size.

Crocodiles in a tiled pit inside the courtyard of a Nubian home. These fellows measure 3 to 4 feet in length. As a rough estimate, young crocodiles grow about one foot per year of life.

The Experience: Holding a Baby Crocodile

When you walk into a traditional mud-brick Nubian home, you will often find a secure, tiled pit in the courtyard. Inside are crocodiles of various sizes.

The handlers will safely bring out a baby crocodile for you to hold.

• The Feel: Their skin is surprisingly cold, dry, and heavily textured with hard scales.

• The Weight: Even a small crocodile feels dense and muscular in your hands.

• The Safety: Handlers may hold the snout closed with their fingers (!) or clamp the maw with a rubber band. We opted for “the rubber band method” in case I want to play the violin someday.

The “crocodile whisperer” at work.

How to Visit

The best way to experience this is by taking a scenic motorboat or felucca ride from Aswan across the Nile to Gharb Soheil, the most famous Nubian Village. Local families open their homes to travelers, often offering hibiscus tea, answering questions about local life, and offer crocodile viewing/handling.

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We plan to be back in Egypt four times in 2027. Group excursions are planned for Jan 1-9, Jan 22-Feb 3, Mar 30-Apr 8, and Oct 19-28. Seats are available. To learn more about these or other trips with Bible Land Explorer, follow the link here. Discover the place where faith begins!

The Road to Edfu: A Journey to the Temple of Horus

They say getting there is half the experience.

This is true in Edfu.

I. Grit

A town of raw
Industry. A working place.
Smoke stacks rise through desert haze.

Rattle rattle. Chaining sugar cane.
Whir. Churning paper pulp.

What is that smell?

This is true in Edfu.

II. Departure

At Nile’s edge, the Royal Lily
Drifts. We walk her planks.
Creak. We pair off.
A row of carriages awaits.

The morning air
Shifts. We climb inside.

Zzzzzz. Flies swarm.
Tck-Tck. Lips smack.
Crack! A whip snaps.

Where are we going?

This is true in Edfu.

III. Transit

Clip-clop.
Clip-clop.
Clip-clop.

On pavers, the market shudders
and stirs. Copper pots bang.
Yaaawn. Dust swirls in golden light.
The mudbricks slowly part.

Are they ancient? Are they yesterday?

This is true in Edfu.

IV. Revelation

Gasp. Suddenly, the horizon vanishes.
Silence. A sense of wonder takes hold.

Is this a Ptolemaic trophy?

The Temple of Horus blocks out the sky.

This is true in Edfu.

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We plan to be back in Egypt four times in 2027. Group excursions are planned for Jan 1-9, Jan 22-Feb 3, Mar 30-Apr 8, and Oct 19-28. Seats are available. To learn more about these or other trips with Bible Land Explorer, follow the link here. Discover the place where faith begins!

How We Found the World’s 2nd Largest Brain Coral (Without Getting Wet)

The rugged mountains of the Sinai rise behind Naama Bay and Sharm El Sheikh. This bay is part of the Red Sea ecosystem.

Discover the glass-bottom boat of Naama Bay

Naama Bay in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, offers one of the world's most accessible coral reef experiences through its famous glass bottom boat tours. This excursion allows you to view Egypt's vibrant Red Sea marine life without getting wet, making it perfect for families, non-swimmers, and travelers of all ages.

A comfortable viewing area.

Mark doing something.

The Ultimate Post-Hike Recovery

Our group chose this boat ride after the grueling trail to the summit of Jebel Musa (Mount Sinai). Sitting above the calm water was the absolute perfect way to relax, rest our aching muscles, and “rehydrate” from the mountain.

Life in the Red Sea ecosystem is diverse and colorful.

Visitors beneath our feet.

Gliding Over the Reefs

The afternoon sun hit the water at a perfect angle, casting beams of light through our boat's viewing windows. We glided over the shallow, sprawling marine ecosystems of the “Near Garden” and “Far Garden” reefs. While we kept our eyes peeled for a rare hammerhead shark—always a thrilling possibility—the underwater world did not disappoint.

Hundreds of tropical fish put on a spectacular show beneath our feet. Vivid parrotfish, tiny clownfish, and darting triggerfish darted effortlessly between glowing blades of fire coral and swaying sea anemones.

However, the highlight of our voyage was viewing the second-largest brain coral formation on Earth. True to its name, “The Great Brain” mimics the rounded, wrinkled texture of the human organ. It is an impressive seven feet in both height and diameter.

“The Great Brain” of Naama Bay. It is a member of the Platygyra species family. Image from here.

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We plan to be back in Egypt three times in 2027. Group excursions are planned for Jan 1-9, Jan 22-Feb 3, and Mar 30-Apr 8. Seats are available. To learn more about these or other trips with Bible Land Explorer, follow the link here. Discover the place where faith begins!

Sinai Sunrise: Scaling the Heights of Jebel Musa

Our “Footsteps of Moses” journey reached a literal high point this week as we tackled Jebel Musa (Mount Moses) in southern Sinai. Standing at 7,497 feet, it may not be the world's tallest peak, but its rugged terrain offers a challenging trek that demands respect.

We started our climb at 1:00 am in order to reach the summit by sunrise. The moon and stars filled the sky and provided light for our path.

Even though the trail is well marked, we hired a local bedouin guide to coordinate and safeguard our climb. Some from our party rode camels part of the way up.

The Ascent: A Midnight Challenge

The traditional site where Moses is said to have met God was the backdrop for our climb. The journey is an 7.1 mile (11.5-km) round trip that begins in the dark of night. We faced a steady elevation gain of about 2,300 feet, most of which is concentrated in the final push. The route follows a winding “Camel Path” before reaching the infamous “Steps of Repentance”—3,750 rock-hewn stairs that lead directly to the summit.

Reward at the Summit

While the ascent tested our endurance—and not everyone made it to the very top—all who stepped on the slope were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise. Sinai is one of the most profound, austere, and breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Watching the light break over the jagged granite peaks made every step of the trek worth it.

From the Mountains to the River

After the intensity of the climb, our pilgrims are enjoying a well-earned day of rest on the Red Sea beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh. Tomorrow, the adventure shifts gears as we head to Luxor to begin the next chapter of our journey: a cruise up the historic Nile River.

The sun illuminated the trail on our descent.

Happy face at the top.

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We plan to be back in Egypt three times in 2027. Group excursions are planned for Jan 1-9, Jan 22-Feb 3, and Mar 30-Apr 8. There are seats available. To learn more about these or other trips with Bible Land Explorer, follow the link here. Discover the place where faith begins!