Egypt Nov - 98
Well it was dark by the time we entered Sinai, not much to see, we were told. Very tired after a four hour wait thanks to the Egyptian border guards. What with checking for bombs and other things.
The next day though and we were all in heaven as the first three shots show views of Dahab. The beach from the road, one of the many shore front restaurants and the Adventure Dive Club. Now down to business to learn how to dive as eight of us could not refuse the clear blue water and the amazing coral reefs of the Red Sea. Rob's a starter and later went on to get the PADI advanced open water certificate. The Best dive sites in the world they say! Rob can't complain. For once!
Off into the wilderness with Mick stopping in some remote village to buy more of that Egyptian pita bread. Wow again, never driven through an oasis before let alone have lunch in one. Off now to Mt Sinai for someone to climb and freeze at the top to sleep in order to catch the dramatic sunrise the next morning. Rob thinks this is Mt Sinai in the distance. (900 steps and heaps of ramps, sounds painful)
We really do take the most interesting detours as this desert shows just before reaching another highlight, that being the Suez canal. After spending a bit of time observing the huge ships passing, we then head back to find a road to the tunnel. Passing across this ridge shows where the sludge from the canal is dumped. We did stop by another beach to catch the last bit of sea for a month as Alison contemplates a swim. A newly built tourist resort is being built in the distance.
The odd shipping mine washes up on the beach, don't really know what it is. A holiday romance is blossoming between Andy and Lee. Cheeky Kirstan staring while Amanda and Uncle Norm concentrate on the view as we enter Cairo and traffic chaos.
Trucking across the Nile with a view of the better part of Cairo not to mention the slums that hit you everywhere and especially the rubbish. Scenes of the real Cairo!
No one has heard of rubbish bins presumably so over the fence it all goes, to hell with the environment and the dear old canals. Can you see the blown up shot of this rat by the canal, well there is no shortage of them. Classic restaurant on the sidewalk and two cheeky blokes we spent some time with in downtown Cairo. Everyone speaks pretty good English, thank god.
Heading back to camp after a day in the city. Once again, The Nile means so much. Next day and off to the pyramids and Rob, those damn camel rides. Great photo of the Sphinx.
Rob wrestling with the damn camel before heading back to camp and the next day Mick jokes as the Middle East Expedition ends and most of the guys head their own way either back to London or Australia or New Zealand or South Africa. Some of us carry on and meet up with the new kids on the block for the Nile Expedition. Here Glen says, not a bad time, a bit sandy though. All Sophie has to say is "don't take my picture while my hair's a mess" Plenty of time for that Sophie as you head back to your bathroom in the west.