EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE.

For many people it is the sun – the Red Sea sparkling in the morning – or the incredible variety of marine life and corals, house reefs and wrecks. Add these together, and the destination becomes irresistible. In the 19th century Thomas Cook was sending Britons off to see the Pyramids and float down the Nile. Today, we are ‘time poor’, but the fact that after a few hours flying we can be sitting by the sea, means Egypt is still a favoured holiday destination. We have cultural sightseeing, but it is visiting the Monastery of St. Catherine’s that is Sharm’s top destination, or a chance to explore the desert, rather than the Pyramids (but you can fly there for a day trip). Regaldive is one of the biggest tour operators, and Jane Rankin is full of enthusiasm for the area. “It has the best diving, in the world” in her opinion, “it’s only five hours away, and the water is beautifully clear with areas suitable for all levels of diver”. Added to which it is a lively resort, and there is plenty for non-divers, from spa treatments to parasailing; taking the kids to Fun Town amusement park, to partying at night.

Diving

Jane says any of their clients who are hesitant can take a free Regal try-dive; then once you are hooked there are courses for every level. One reason that diving is so interesting is the amount of wrecks to ‘visit’. This is a legacy left by merchant traders who criss-crossed the Red Sea; inevitably some of them were wrecked, leaving their carcass for the fishes and today’s divers. Average depth is 65 – 190 feet, and the coral reefs provide a home for fishes and marine creatures. And remember, if you are disabled, even in a wheelchair, there are facilities for you to dive. Most people want to dive or just chill out by the pool or beach, but for those with get-up-and-go there are irresistible excursions. Divers often take one the day before they fly home, as they can’t fly less than 24 hours after a dive. However, before you get seduced by the offer to beat up the desert on an Adventure Safari, make sure that the company you book with has all the correct licences and insurance. It is no use trying to claim your 4 x 4 was in a dangerous condition if the company has ‘forgotten’ to pay the premium and has disappeared overnight. If you go with a tour operator they will probably offer excursions; these may well be more expensive than those on offer locally. There is a reason, and if you have to make a claim you soon find out why the extra costs

History

Visiting the 7th century monastery of St. Catherine’s, built around a 4th century chapel, is one of the most popular excursions. This is the oldest active monastery in the world, and has been attracting pilgrims since 330 AD. Surrounded by a garden, the church shares the compound with a mosque dating back nearly a thousand years, and the main treasure is a library with a magnificent collection of over 2,600 manuscripts. As it is still operating as a monastery, the monks ask that you wear sensible clothes. For a real adventure start the climb up to the monastery at night (you can hire a camel to take you up part of the way) to be at the top at dawn, and see the unforgettable sunrise over the desert. Anyone who imagines the desert is just sand, sand, sand has a big surprise coming; an oasis is fascinating, and horse riding in the desert gets you close to nature.

Let’s get one thing straight: people love to tell you about terrible tummy upsets and yes, if you are stupid enough to rush round in the midday sun, drinking water from any source, overindulging in alcoholic drinks and eating food that has been left for hours in the sun, almost certainly you will come down with an attack. Then the only thing to do is stay in bed with the bathroom door open and ask the hotel doctor for medicine; they are well used to treating people who succumb. So eat and drink sensibly, and avoid the midday sun. Janes tip is to drink plenty of bottled water (don’t drink tap water) which you can buy cheaply everywhere. Don’t pat stray dogs, however appealing – but if you are bitten or even licked go straight to a doctor for anti-rabies shots (no longer the painful experience of old). Also, before you travel it makes sense to visit your doctor at least a month before you leave, who can advise you of any vaccines you will need; this gives time for them to act. It can be more expensive if you have to have an accelerated course if you left this too late.

Once you have taken a few steps, you should have a great adventure !!

Booking

Information coming soon

E-mail: info@planetearthtravelguides.com