Ndoema in a white maxi dress at Abu Simbel

The Global Girl Travels: Ndoema arrives at the Abu Simbel temples in a white strapless maxi dress by Alexis. Photographed in Nubia, southern Egypt, near the border with Sudan.

As I’ve shared, I’ve held a fascination for beautiful Upper Egypt for as far as I can remember. As a little girl, I remember avidly watching multi-part specials on French television documenting the historic relocation of the Abu Simbel and Philae temples, dreaming that I would one day embark on my own voyage deep into magical Nubia and explore its many sacred sites and archeological treasures. And so I did!

After landing in Aswan, settling in at the iconic Legend Old Cataract Hotel and strolling through mesmerizing Sharia el Souk, I set out to discover Abu Simbel. I decided to travel by car in hopes of taking in the scenery along the 186-mile road between Aswan and Abu Simbel. I excitedly woke up at the crack of dawn and embarked on a 3.5 hour road trip to the border with Sudan. This drive had to be done by convoy. The journey was smooth and comfy (unbeknownst to me the windows were blacked out so I couldn’t catch sight of the landscape), so I gratefully took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep and get charged up for my upcoming adventure.

As I stepped foot in the little town of Abu Simbel, excitement was in the air. For most everyone Abu Simbel is a short 2-hour visit, but I’d chosen to spend the entire day at this amazing site and had booked the hotel closest to the archeological complex so I could sleep in the energy of the temples. After dropping my bags in my hotel room, I took a short and picturesque walk along Lake Nasser and headed straight for the famed massive rock temples, expecting to be blown away… And I was.

Abu Simbel with its magnificence and power left me totally awed, speechless and grateful beyond words. A magical childhood dream come true…

The Global Girl Travels: Ndoema arrives at the Abu Simbel temples in a white strapless maxi dress by Alexis. Photographed in Nubia, southern Egypt, near the border with Sudan.