Eastern Sahara Desert ~ Egypt

Eastern Sahara Desert ~ Egypt

The jeep drive out into the desert was a long 2 hours of serious bumpy terrain ~ but lots of fun (at least for the first hour!).

Bedouin Tribe ~ Desert

Guarded Jeeps took us the 2 hours drive into the Eastern Sahara Desert to visit the Bedouin Tribe. It was pure relief to climb out of that jeep, super hot and couldn't down enough water quick enough. The Bedouin people are a lovely bunch of placid, friendly folk living together in this perfect harmonious little camp, helping each other daily to build their self sufficient village. This tribe have built their own water-well in the desert to collect water (not much of it though!) however they did manage to cook us a wonderful meal which we ate by candlelight, sitting on cushions on the sandy desert floor of their 'dining' tent. Before dinner we all took what seemed a very long, hot assault course up the nearest rocky mountain to watch the sunset, it was at this point that I thought our tour guide had a double agenda - but well worth it - STUNNING VIEW and incredible sunset! The Bedouins fascinate me in the way the whole family are such great friends and after dinner evey night they do a little dance around the camp fire to say goodnight - so sweet!

Maymaya Island ~ Egypt '05

Mahmaya Island ~ Egypt

A few hours by boat moving away from the heat, noise and crowds of Hurghada is the gorgeous secret little island of Mahmaya. I have never before seen such a beautiful, calm little piece of beach. Warm, perfectly clear waters filled with bright, colourful creatures making homes in the pretty underwater coral world. After about three hours of cocktails, snorkelling and a lovely lunch ~ more flavoured and fragrant than anywhere else I had already tried in Egypt, we were taken back to Hurghada Central.

Downtown Hurghada '05

We took a local taxi downtown - a minibus packed to capacity with what seemed like only men (the journey itself was interesting and the men well behaved albeit briefly). This part of Hurghada was different, as if we had stepped into an ancient Egypt, as it would have been decades ago - dirt roads, lots of caged chickens ready for culinary sale, Egyptian clad folk ambling around smoking hashish, loads of herb stalls selling potions and fusions for every kind of ailment you can think of (and some that you would never have thought of), little boys dragging stubborn mules around and the occassional suidice cyclist dashing out of nowhere. This crowded, bustling town has a strong smell of spice mixed with a bit of dirt, strawberry smoke and fried food. Fascinating to watch but girls be warned, be prepared to be harassed if you're alone.

Egypt June '05

I loved my trip to the Red Sea with my wonderful sister Kelly. Most nights we dined by the poolside of our hotel and then onto the Marakesh Cafe for 'Egyptian Horlicks' ~ that's what I call it, a thick milky hot drink with coconut, cinnamon and raisins. I brought a bag back with me and mix it up with cocoa - delicious Egyptian hot chocolate.