Part III - Egypt : Paranormal stories told by locals, Swimming in Siwa's natural salt lakes (located near the Libyan border) & Visiting the Temple of Amun where Alexandre the Great was coronated as the King

After the Abu Sir experience , Mohammad took me to Cairo for the next part of the journey. The plan was to start driving towards Siwa – which was a good 11 hours overnight drive from Cairo . This place is literally in the middle of nowhere . Siwa Oasis, located in the heart of the western Egyptian desert, is a remote village surrounded by vast stretches of the Sahara. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, it is dotted with lush date palm groves, crystal-clear springs, and salt lakes that create a serene contrast to the arid desert. This region receives much fewer tourists due to the complexity of getting there. So, that is exactly where I wanted to go.

I met with my main guide Walid (Mohammad’s boss) who was travelling with me to Siwa and will spend the next 2 days with me. I almost forced him to come on this trip since he is an extremely busy man. The reason was simply that he was street smart and I somehow felt that he had to be there. He finally accepted after I kept pushing and also because Siwa was his favorite place in all of Egypt. He kept telling me that Siwa had something special about it.

The initial half of the drive was through a moderately busy highway where we made several stops in cafés and gas stations to refresh ourselves. I got a few good naps after midnight at the back seat of the car fully stretched. But I never saw the guide sleep and was hoping that the driver doesn’t. The latter half of the drive took us through some really remote roads with absolutely no lighting except the car’s headlight. My driver admitted that the only reason he accepted to drive to Siwa at night was because of my ambitious itinerary. He usually avoids it as it is almost impossible to call for help if the car breaksdown in these areas.

The road leading to Siwa post midnight

Day 2

I woke up at around 9 AM and had a simple breakfast – local bread with fava beans and olives before starting our day to explore this rustic town. Driving through Siwa made me realise how beautifully simple their day to day life was. Life in Siwa revolves around simplicity and strong social bonds. The people uphold a deep respect for nature, and their local festivals and ceremonies reflect a harmonious blend of Islamic beliefs and ancestral traditions. The Siwan people, a Berber-speaking community, are known for their close-knit lifestyle. Villagers primarily rely on agriculture, cultivating dates and olives, which are central to their economy. The community also practices traditional crafts like weaving and salt carving, creating intricate designs from the region’s abundant resources.

My breakfast at the hotel - Local bread, fava beans & olives

Driving through Siwa village - the village chief , Mr. Yahia, on the front seat next to the driver

Driving through Siwa village

On our way, Walid decided to pick up a local village chief, a man in his fifties grieving the recent loss of his mother. Perhaps Walid hoped our company would lift his spirits, and I was more than willing to have him join us. He was relatively stoic and a man of few words, exactly what I imagined him to be. Since Walid had discussed his paranormal experiences the previous night, I was curious if the chief had any such stories.

Initially hesitant, the chief eventually shared a disturbing tale from his childhood. The locals believed in desert demons that could disguise themselves as humans, preying on the weak. He recounted an incident involving someone he knew—a man who encountered a stranger claiming his car had broken down on the desert outskirts. Trusting him, the man followed to help. But when they reached an isolated spot, the stranger revealed his true form—and transformed into an odd-looking creature. The man screamed for help, and just before locals arrived, the creature released him and vanished into the desert. The encounter left deep scars on the man haunted by what he had seen.

I would never know if these stories were true or not but it was definitely a stark reminder of Siwa's mystique and its legendary folklore.

The Oracle Temple of Amun

The Temple of the Oracle of Amun in Siwa is perched atop a hill overlooking the oasis, the temple dates back to the 6th century BCE and was renowned in antiquity for its powerful oracle. Rulers from across the ancient world journeyed here to seek guidance from the god Amun, believed to deliver prophecies through the temple’s priests.

Its connection with Alexander the Great adds to its fame. In 331 BCE, Alexander traveled to Siwa to consult the oracle, seeking validation of his divine lineage. According to historical accounts, the oracle proclaimed him as the son of Zeus-Amun, reinforcing his status as a god-king. This event played a crucial role in legitimizing his rule over Egypt and beyond.

The Temple of Amun

Ancient ruins at the Temple of Amun

The temple’s innermost sanctuary is the very room where Alexander the Great was coronated almost 2300 years ago. The temple’s reputation for its oracle powers stemmed from its role as a spiritual center where divine wisdom was sought. Locals often speak of an unexplainable energy surrounding the area, especially near the inner sanctuary. Some visitors report feeling an overwhelming sense of awe or unease when they venture too close to certain spots

I witnessed this when I saw a white lady, an American if my guess is correct, crying next to the inner chamber. She seemed to be in some kind of a spiritual attire probably an occult practitioner. My guide told me she was probably overwhelmed by the site’s powerful energy that made her cry .

The exact room where Alexandre the Great was coronated as the Ruler of Egypt about 2300 years ago

Ancient hieroglyphic symbols (Top Left) , Lion headed Egyptian God of War - Maahes and Amun Raa - the Sun God (Extreme Right)

Human figure with a crown (Extreme right) believed to be Alexandre the Great himself

Historic ruins near the Amun Temple

Not far from the Oracle Temple lies an ancient pillar-like structure, carved with intricate depictions of ancient Egyptians presenting offerings to the Gods. A unique feature of this site is the faint bluish trace of turquoise stone visible in the background (but it is hard to spot in the photo). It possibly served as a sacred site for rituals connected to the Oracle temple.

Ruins near the Amun temple

Ruins near the Amun temple

Siwa's natural salt lakes

Siwa’s salt lakes are a breathtaking natural wonder, renowned for their vibrant turquoise hues and therapeutic properties. These lakes are fed by underground springs and have an exceptionally high salt concentration due to the desert's arid climate, which causes water to evaporate quickly, leaving behind layers of salt deposits. Over centuries, this process has formed these unique saline pools.

Swimming in these lakes is a surreal experience. The dense salt content makes the water so buoyant that your body effortlessly floats on the surface. Even if you try to sink, the high salinity keeps you afloat. However, it is not advisable to stay in the salt water for too long. The high salinity can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation or dehydration. Prolonged exposure can also sting cuts or sensitive areas, making it important to rinse off with fresh water soon after.

Me pretending to meditate while literally sitting on the water

Me swimming in the natural salt lakes

Sunset at Fatnas Islands & spotting Wild Flamingoes

We finished the day enjoying the sunset at Fatnas Islands. The sky was cloudy unfortunately but relishing a date shake on the terrace while observing the wild flamingos was not a bad ending to the day. The area’s isolation and the presence of wetlands make it a perfect stopover for flamingos during their migration.

Fatnas Island

Wild Flamingoes feeding

Oasis with the Sahara desert in the background

Sunrays piercing through the cloud cover creating a 3D Pyramid like structure - My guide's thinks this is what inspired ancient egyptians to construct the pyramids

On top of this, it was a bad idea to have started discussing paranormal stories when going through these roads. One particular stood out for me. Walid shared an unsettling experience he had at the Temple of Dendera, near Luxor. This ancient site dedicated to Hathor, the cow goddess of music, is renowned for its subterranean chambers.

Walid recounted a moment when, while exploring a tunnel alone, he literally felt a sudden and firm pull on his shirt from behind. Startled, he turned around but found no one there. For him, it was a clear sign—guardian spirits were warning him not to proceed further. He believed these protective entities were displeased by his presence in the sacred alleyway. The way he narrated this story, with calm certainty and no attempt to dramatize, made it all the more haunting. His demeanor suggested he didn’t care whether I believed him or not, but his conviction made it hard to dismiss. Listening to him sent chills down my spine.

We finally reached our lodge nestled on the outskirts of Siwa at around 05h30 AM. We had to get atleast a few hours of sleep for the busy day upcoming.