Thanks to the recent political unrest (revolution) in Egypt, there aren’t so many tourists around these days. Perhaps explaining the 40€ flights to Sharm el-Shiekh with easyJet, the ease of getting a taxi up to Dahab, and the fantastic welcome from all the shopkeepers, vendors, and tour guides wanting my business and travel dollars.

I’ve been staying at a budget ‘camp’ just on the edge of Dahab before the bridge and all the shops, cafes, and restaurants after having it recommended to me by a couchsurfer. I really can’t fault the place for the price, and they help me in every way possible maximising my travel dollar and time in Dahab to get the best value from my holiday. My first night was in a basic but comfortable double bed room with indoor bathroom and airconditioning.

I sit here writing this, in the restaurant overlooking the Red Sea, sipping Bedouin Tea around a fire, and counting down the minutes until my overnight tour and climb of Mt. Sinai (or ‘Moses Mountain’). I can’t wait. To summit the mountain where Moses claimed the 10 commandments, and see the sunrise.

I might change my accomodation tomorrow night though, as good as the camp is, there just isn’t anyone staying here. I spent the evening wandering around after a cheap meal in a local restaurant, and buying supplies for my overnight trek; and I didn’t find much backpacker life.

Sure there’s tourists, but not so many that I can easily approach. Even the tourist bars are a little empty. They promise “come back after 10pm, that’s when there’s life”. But its 9:37pm, and I have to be at reception for the Sinai tour at 11pm. At least the beers cheap, 10LE (Egyptian Pounds), or $1.50 (Australian).

Diving the Canyon

Today was awesome. I dived the Canyon, a famous coral reef in Dahab. Next to the Blue Hole, one of the most saught after dive sights. I can’t dive the Blue Hole. It’s for experienced divers only. And today was my first dive. Really I should have been diving the Lighthouse like all the other beginners, but luckily my dive shop had 4 Japanese tourists (more advanced than me) diving, and didn’t want to make 2 separate trips, so they tacked me onto that dive.

All-in-all I got 2 dives at the Canyon, the first just to learn the basic manouvres and get the hang of breathing under water and swimming amongst the fishes. The 2nd down to 10 metres, as deep as I was allowed to go without starting a PADI course.

What a day though. I see why divers are attracted to the sport. Except its a lot of effort for just under an hour dive each time. So many health concerns to take into account too.

* flickr header image credit Craig Grobler