Namrin in Egypt: Sharm El Sheikh 21-22 Dec

Hi, all.

This is the answer where living creatures in Egypt go...........They go to under water in Red Sea!!! (Just my funny theory. Don't take it serious!)

Many under water photos you will see in this album were taken from a silly disposable sealed camera. I only snorkelled but I saw colourful corals, several kinds of fishes, and other amazing sea animals. It's unbelievably abundant down there as if I open a sea animal book! I wished I could dive at that time so I could tell more.

When you get on the boat and look around the land, you'll find your hotel is actually in a developped desert area. The real treasure is in Red Sea. It's apparently a dramatic contrast between in the land and under the sea. Red sea is the top 5 diving spot in the world. Ras Mohommed National Park and Straight of Tiran are dream destinations of all divers. (however, it's pricey here) And this is the reason why we visit Sharm El Shiekh (SES), the city of the Ras Mohammed National Park which also covers under the sea area.

Let me talk a bit about geography. SES is in the south tip of Sinai Peninsula. In SES, not only can you dive and snorkel but you can go up North to visit St. Katherine's Monastery and climb Mt. Sinai. Sinai region covers huge area in east of Egypt including the world famous, Suez Canal. As I studied logistics, I wish I could visit Suez Canal where ocean shipments from Asia and Australia go to Europe and vice versa. Perhaps I might see the vessels that carry L'Oreal shipment around here ;-) In the case, you have no idea where the places are. I attach the map of Egypt here. Sorry, I know it's little too late. It should be attached since the first email, shouldn't it? But late better than never!! (hehe)

About the trip, not sure whether you still remember we missed the connecting flight before we reached SES. One of my friends wrote back saying that was a real pain in the arse (very British expression but that's also how I feel about the incident). I hardly slept that night and the flight arrived at 5AM. After tried hard to negotiate the taxi cost, we went to the hotel we booked. At 7AM, the diving club picked us up and we had breakfast on the way.

On the first day we went to Gordon Reef and Thomas Reef in the area of Straight of Tiran. At Gordon Reef there are 2 wrecked ships. The water is so clear. You can see some fish from the boat. The sky was so blue and bright. It's a bit chilled, yes but it's more than a lovely day. However, this was a tough day for me. I had seasick because I was lack of sleep. I snorkelled less than an hour. Then, I had an introductory dive which you would dive with an instructor. I had a very quick lesson to learn how to breath with regulator and sink myself. Unfortunately, I failed to equalise (adjust my ears to deeper level). So my ears hurt and I had to stop after many attempts. I saw the corals from the surface of water but I couldn't reach them. I was disappointed.

After the first day, I knew what was going to be my New Year resolution! It is to learn scuba diving. Today I know how to equalise. Even though it's not perfect yet but I haven't hurt myself so far....just little struggle. I hope I'll get better and better.

On the second day, we joined another diving club. As tomorrow morning we had to fly back to Cairo, I and Sayuri snorkelled together today. This was the day we got all the photos under water by my silly camera (no zoom, no flash). We went to Tiran again. We stopped at Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef and the last place that we took a break was Gordon Reef where was accidentally the same place as yesterday. This triggered me that next time I should join only one club per trip. And diving in winter is really cold. It wasn't cold under the water if you wear a proper wetsuit like we did but after we got on the boat again, it was VERY cold even for British mates so don't ask me....

Here we come to the last album of my Egypt trip.....ah..I'm so exhausted but the trip was great! This year I plan to travel in one of the most popular countries among tourists. I think some of you may be familiar with it. It's Thailand, hehe. But somehow, I just had a short trip to Singapore last month. Better talk about that later, huh? :-D

Note: where else I'd like to go & do in Egypt. 1) Do a safari desert trip/Go to oasis, 2) Scuba diving in Ras Mohammed and Straight of Tiran, 3) Visit Alexandria, 4) Observe Suez Canal. So if you fancy any of this, I'd like to be your travelmate!

Good flight. Good night.
Nam :-)

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/namrinb/Photo%202007/Egypt%20Trip%2020-29%20Dec07/Sharm%20El%20Sheikh%2021-22%20Dec/