 photos: Injy El-Kashef The abandoned city of Aghurmi, site of the Temple of the Oracle of Amun        From top: Siwa's salt water lakes are what remains of an age when the whole land was under the sea; some wild driving in the Great Sand Sea; sandboarding is incredibly fun and safe, the climb back up for another go, however, is a real challenge; old Shali towers above the modern city; Ain Joba with its perched cafeteria among the palm groves; the beautiful Siwan donkey seems like a different animal      From top: after marriage, a Siwan woman must remain completely covered in public; the idyllic Bir Wahed, a miracle among the dunes; a traditional Siwan door made of palm logs or olive wood; the rock-cut tombs above Roman Shrines in Bilad Al-Rum, our elaborate camping site parent page (8 - 14 January 2009, issue #929) |