Salaams from Hurghada, Egypt

Hurghada is a coastal town on the Red Sea. Just 18 years ago there was nothing here. Then some German divers working for an oil drilling company swam past the reef close off shore and realized the vacation potential of the area. Boom! Hurghada is now a resort town.


Being so close to the ocean makes the air crispy clean, a welcome relief from our days in Luxor and Cairo. For some, thoughts instantly turn to relaxing on the beach and long trips to the masseuse. For others, like me, I can't wait to get in the water. Diving in the Red Sea was one of the main reasons for coming to Egypt since I had heard the high salt content and sparse water runoff from shore (it is a desert out here after all) have made the coral and sea life watching gorgeous. It did not disappoint.

We took a day tripper out to dive sites about 45 min south of Hurghada since much of the reef in close to the shore has sadly seen better days. This boat ride was into some serious chop as the wind kicked up but good - probably 3-4' swells (I know I"m a landlubber). Fortunately for me and much of our group, I was packing the bonine. This wonderdrug comes highly endorsed by me.

The symbolism in Egypt's flag is rooted very much in its more modern history (as opposed to pharaonic times). The red represents the period of occupation by foreign rulers (British). The white represents the peaceful revolution with which the monarchy was removed from power. The black represents the end of oppression for Egyptian peoples. The eagle shield is the crest of Saladin a 12th century Sultan that led the Muslim resistance against European crusaders in the Middle East.


The water here is as blue as any I've seen at other warm water dive sites. Here, a lighthouse has been built on the reef to warn ships from wrecking. Hmmmm.

Looking into the water here is like looking into an aquarium. So crazy to see the desolate desert lands around us where virtually nothing grows, then poking your head underwater to see a whole world teeming with life. I swear it's like exploring alien worlds.


Some fun stuff we saw:
Sleeping blue spotted eagle ray (those spots are like neon blue!)


Blue moray eel (huge, about 10" diameter)




The following day in Hurghada we spent on an ATV/Camel tour to a bedouin town. This was a pretty amazing experience actually as you cruise your ATV across the desert into a foothills of the mountains 25km away. Staring out across the desert was some of my favorite moments of our trip. The fact that you had to be dressed like a ninja only heightened this experience.


Here's video of what it's like to be on a camel. Bumpy bumpy - and then there's the camel!