Photo of the front facade of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel in Egypt

As you come to the site of Abu Simbel after a long drive from Aswan (because of previous security concerns, vehicles move in a convoy from Aswan to Abu Simbel twice in a day), or you can go there by flight or by ship; you pass through security gates and then you can see a large hillock close to Lake Nasser. And then you start turning around the edge of the hillock, and you start seeing these magnificent statues carved onto the front surface of the hillock. These are huge statues, towering over you, and you can just imagine the effect these must be having on travelers who came across these statues in the 13th century BC when they were constructed.

The Mysteries of Abu Simbel: Ramesses II	View Larger Map