When we got to Abu Simbel, we wanted to rush right over to the temple, but Wael told us to check into our rooms, have lunch, and we'd go over around 3. That seemed like a long time away -- and made getting up at 4 a.m. to catch the early flight to Aswan seem a bit, well, stupid -- but we were good little tourists and did as we were told. It was so incredibly worth it, though, when we rounded the corner and got our first glimpse of the four seated statues of Ramses II that flank the entrance.

Wael with his green umbrella is walking near the middle of the temple, and Dave, with his red backpack, is gazing up at the damaged statue.