DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17#0241
THE ASSOUAN RAILWAYS—NEW HOTEL. 221
an, which will be found to be one of the most interesting parts of
all the Nile iourney. It has been rather fully described in Chapter XII. Of
course all the places possible to be seen when travelling in one's own boat
are not open to a traveller by Cook's steamers, which generally visit only the
considerable towns, such as Edfou and Esneh. The better class of tourist steamers
ASSOUAN AT LOW NILE, LOOKING EAST.
give also a few hours at Kom Ombo and EI-Kab ; but these, the most interesting
places of all, are quite inaccessible to such as voyage by the " post-boats," as
the smaller vessels are called, although they no longer carry the mails.
Just above the little railway station rise the mounds of rubbish which mark
the site of the ancient town. These are being levelled to provide space for
the new church and other public buildings sanctioned by Lord Kitchener, and
certainly no better position could have been found. Mr. Henry Favarger, the
English architect, of Cairo, has been selected to build the new hotel. The
architect of Mena House is certain to do justice to his task, and the work is
already far advanced. In such a wonderful situation, in the best air of Egypt, it
will undoubtedly prove as great a success as the great hostelry of the Pyramids.
Abundance of water of the best quality will be provided. That has hitherto
been the difficult matter at Assouan. The climate of this part of the Nile is,
in the winter months, perhaps the best in the world. As the river here runs
from west to east, the north wind is kept off, and also the burning air from
the south. The whole neighbourhood is full of delightful excursions by boat
or by donkey, some of which I describe, and several delightful months can be
enjoyed at the very season when the climate of Northern Europe is at its worst.
I he view from these heights, on every side, is lovely indeed.
an, which will be found to be one of the most interesting parts of
all the Nile iourney. It has been rather fully described in Chapter XII. Of
course all the places possible to be seen when travelling in one's own boat
are not open to a traveller by Cook's steamers, which generally visit only the
considerable towns, such as Edfou and Esneh. The better class of tourist steamers
ASSOUAN AT LOW NILE, LOOKING EAST.
give also a few hours at Kom Ombo and EI-Kab ; but these, the most interesting
places of all, are quite inaccessible to such as voyage by the " post-boats," as
the smaller vessels are called, although they no longer carry the mails.
Just above the little railway station rise the mounds of rubbish which mark
the site of the ancient town. These are being levelled to provide space for
the new church and other public buildings sanctioned by Lord Kitchener, and
certainly no better position could have been found. Mr. Henry Favarger, the
English architect, of Cairo, has been selected to build the new hotel. The
architect of Mena House is certain to do justice to his task, and the work is
already far advanced. In such a wonderful situation, in the best air of Egypt, it
will undoubtedly prove as great a success as the great hostelry of the Pyramids.
Abundance of water of the best quality will be provided. That has hitherto
been the difficult matter at Assouan. The climate of this part of the Nile is,
in the winter months, perhaps the best in the world. As the river here runs
from west to east, the north wind is kept off, and also the burning air from
the south. The whole neighbourhood is full of delightful excursions by boat
or by donkey, some of which I describe, and several delightful months can be
enjoyed at the very season when the climate of Northern Europe is at its worst.
I he view from these heights, on every side, is lovely indeed.