Egypt travel notes at the beginning of 2007 and the latest Raiders (4)

February 4: 00 pm ~ 8 February: from the Red Sea to the Sinai Peninsula

Upper Egypt HURGHADA automotive company to take the time of departure, condition is also good, but the way the car's horn keeps playing Islam pray tape, Ghost Guikulanghao voice kept in ear rings that can really make people suffer.

But in the car stops to see people, it is a super slow. Originally 4 hours ' drive south of HURGHADA can actually spent nearly six hours until 8 pm only to HURGHADA. The station is very untidy, the car was the hotel was surrounded by to soliciting, luckily with the car's Korea lad prior booked a Hotel called "Sea Waves, the boss of the hotel" sent a car to pick him up, I get the car. The hotel is in good condition, with bathroom double room with breakfast 40 L.E., environment is also good, 5 min. walk from the beach, the traffic is convenient. In the evening, hotel boss volunteered zone we go to dinner, and is the price of the "Egyptian". Follow the boss in HURGHADA city turned to turn to to find a restaurant and found a very popular here, we each had a 15 L.E. roast chicken meal, including half roast chicken, Egypt-salad, stewing potatoes, soup, rice, bread, all kinds of sauce, rich and delicious. In the past, Egypt has been "around the dinner to enjoy" price and expensive content and few foreigners, this time finally experienced national treatment, ignoring the Sven big eats, peer Korea LAD has also kept saying "this is him to Egypt since the best meals I ate."

To mix of HURGHADA is generally come for diving, but since I have all the water sports are not afraid to interest, therefore, a second day, which was wander about at the seaside, trance.

Now HURGHADA city surrounding public beach is almost entirely by private investors circle seems ready to develop, finally found a gap in Sucre, finally touch the water of the Red Sea. It certainly deserves to be the world's cleanest sea, Red Sea waters presents an unimaginable seawater shore of the blue, very high transparency. Because it is not a season, walk this empty Beach, listening to the sound really is a great pleasure. I've been to many sea-view, but the Red is really special.

This day is spent at leisure by the sea, a morning of stay, in the seaside road to Ferry terminal is super light to buy tomorrow to go to the Sinai Peninsula in Sharm el-Sheikh's ticket, each to a full 250 L.E., Ah, very expensive! now only fast boat from HURGHADA and Sharm el-Sheikh, declared that 90 minutes reach.

HURGHADA start time is 9: 30 a.m., attention: every Wednesday is suspended. In fact, all the accommodations are agents of the hotel, with the price of a ticket, does not collect any fees. However, in order to identify the place of departure, I went and bought tickets. Wharf The Terminal in HURGHADA, from urban Sigala distance is a little far from the seaside Boulevard (Korniish Rd.) frequent exchanges on light, therefore, as long as looking in the right direction, and get direct 50 per person, if the PST. to have bad drivers give you more money, a direct denial. Typically, these drivers are not other passengers for a high price, he would become visible, do not be afraid of him, direct say "No". The bustling downtown area not Sigala, the coast has many resorts, in addition there are many manual shipyard, a little mean, a lot of tours also made a attractions to visit, you can have a look.

Back to the city, in the start window shopping center shopping street, HURGHADA town, the streets are clean and neat, although it is a tourist city, but people are good, not like Luxor, as there are disturbed, the Egypt Lanke.

Buy souvenirs shops abound, but the price is a bit expensive, and used the domestic price of commodities, always feel that something from here without any value. In the evening, and together the two Korea guy for dinner, wanted to go to last night's the local restaurant, but could not find. Next came a few stores, find and return to the treatment of aliens, but we are not so silly, inside look at the menu, where each human consumption exceeds 15 L.E. and to 22% tax and service charges of all go, eventually even could not find a reasonably priced restaurants. One of the guys think of Korea, to go to a supermarket to buy a bottle of water, and then requests the supermarket boss recommended restaurant, and emphasized the some to local restaurant with Egyptian price. This boss kindly give us a place in the small alley on your left and turn right, finally found a home in Egypt local people, local restaurants, but people are surprisingly few, table, it looks like Western foreigner Westerners are also familiar with some of the road. Here's something really reasonable and inexpensive, a roast chicken or roast lamb meal as long as the amount of L.E. 12.5, much a people cannot eat when you are finished, leaving a pile of packaging also took charge and do the next day's lunch. Later, we all do the same, find local people inquire about local restaurant with Egyptian price, no longer have to go to those who kill the foreigner's Hotel, let those deceptive tax and service charge to hell.

In the evening, the guys have Korea Wain by at 10: 00 by coach to Dahab (Dahab), as the car around to the Suez city near Ahmed Minde hamdei tunnel into the Sinai Peninsula, therefore available to more than 16 hours.

Feel like eating out this bitter, so that I can choose to save time and money by ferry across the Red Sea, and from Sharm el-Sheikh to Dahab. When the next morning hurried to the pier, is already crowded with people, original boat since yesterday's big waves Red Sea, was canceled. We are very worried about today's weather will affect the ferryboat, after an anxious wait to finally be told you can Check in. After a rigorous security check to board the ferry. I take of this boat is a European manufacturer of jet boat, equipment for non-Often advanced. The boat started to start with the Red Sea's waves on rapid navigation to ship out, there is a feeling of time. Not for a moment, this beautiful feeling was bobbing boat to stir, to start holding Europe MM Plastic barrel crazy sick, my stomach churning start reflexively, strong grin and almost to the throats of food, and eventually get 3 hours, arrived in the Sinai Peninsula in Sharm el-Sheikh. Should I take too many ships, such as the Red Sea and waves I is the first time. Crossing the line and African continent-the Red Sea, back belongs to Asia in the Sinai Peninsula, the immediate scene presented a desolate, barren rock desert herb color, Sharm el-Sheikh is also not a city, it is only in the desert on a number of houses alone, I don't know why Israel people like in this resort, heard there prices odd expensive, faster to catch the European price, so I'm not going to stay here.

The ship and to get acquainted with the two Korea lad, suddenly found in Egypt travel Korea's more, almost to the point where crowds.

Due to the same destination, then decide together to play from the pier and a taxi to the bus station and the pier are found in many of the taxi driver, feeling generally confused asking price, we do not know how far the station, so are also 10 L.E., have the driver finally agreed to pull us in the past, but this time I only encountered in Egypt who does not talk about the game rules of taxi drivers. And so we get on the train, he opened a section of the road as soon as they are changed, changed to at least 5 L.E. per person to go to the bus station, we resolutely opposed, say at least going to give 15 L.E.. We still do not agree, do not allow him to stop, to the station, we also hold in the trunk of the luggage, to give him 15 L.E., however the two Korea also unambiguous looks like a push that guy, pick up baggage dropped a 10 pound, was this guy can only drive away his fists. In fact, in the car already with the two Korea confer me, if this guy would dare bomb, a portrait, we are prepared for him hard.

Long-distance station is dangling in the desert, there are no buildings around, because we have to wait 2 hours before a class to Dahab for passenger cars, so we have four people to 120 L.E. hop Pack a taxi directly to Dahab.

Dahab is also in the Red Sea, because prices are cheaper, called the poor man's resorts. From Sharm el-Sheikh to Dahab approx. 80 km, along the whole rock desert, there is no certainty, but security checkpoints are many, may be due in 2006 in Sharm el-Sheikh has undergone serious Islamic extremists against Israel's explosions, security is very tight, every ten kilometres will be security check station robbed, face serious Egypt security officials carefully checks with a passport, we also feel nervous. About travel one and a half hours, arrived in Dahab, here is not a strict sense of the city, only alone in the desert a few houses, directly ask the bus driver will drive to is located on the seaside of the Bedouin village, because there are many resort hotels. We followed the two Korea people directly to their recommended "Severn Heaven Hotel" twin room 50 L.E., breakfast is not included with Wei, the price a little expensive, but because the day just catch this hotel have a dianqing activities, evening meal free buffet and live here. Immediately in front of the hotel, a second day to the Sinai mountains and the monastery of St. Catherine's College, 55 L.E. per person. Severn Heaven Hotel is Korea's world, and even Korea flag is inserted into the hotel entrance, however and the Korea people also are happier, they age are not large, very polite, but also get a lot from them.

Dahab's "blue hole" is a famous diving heaven, because I'm not interested in scuba diving, and reached the extreme cold weather for a few days, the storm is very large, therefore, that it became a leisure holiday, walking on the beach, hanging out in the market, in the middle of the desert is also step in our daily activities.

Indeed, Dahab seawater while also and HURGHADA-like blue, but the beach is generally, is very narrow. And city size is much smaller, and can only be a small town, but people are, the Eastern and Western tourists street plug. But here's the price I think it's not cheap, in the streets of the coast, the restaurant also has a foreigner prices, while in the car park there are several around the price reasonable restaurants, one called "King Chicken" restaurant set canjia in about 12 to 15 L.E., to eat several times. Not far away from the coast, just very few buildings, only the extension in the desert Highway, leave the highway to the open desert walk also charming scenery just can't go too far, because I heard that in the Middle East war mines still not completely clear, if you hit the wrong in May.

Go to the Sinai's mission is at 11: 00 departure to Dahab for all hotels are available from SFO, every mission, before starting the minibus will go to jietuan individual hotel pick up.

Because from the beginning one day come back from Mount Sinai's Taiwan people learned Sinai special cold, so before departure from Beijing all winter when the belt is put on. Minibus carrying our by 7-person small tours in time of departure, all the way up the Hill, and about two hours to reach St. Katerina nature reserve entrance, bought the tickets, student card of 10 L.E.. Get off at the moment to feel the biting cold, although it was already wearing cotton shirts and sweaters, but still shiver uncontrollably. At about 1: 30 or so arrived at the foot of the mountain Sinai, there is a tour guide in this jietuan and start climbers. The girl with the car in Korea has been informed that in winter, the Sinai mountain sunrise time is about 6: 30 in the morning and in general the Guide would give visitors as early as possible in the mountains, because of the mountains is very cold, visitors will have to peak of Egypt who rent blankets, this guide can get a rebate. Despite reminders, due to the tour guide had penetrated his schemes, starting from a, we deliberately slow down, with the silver Moon, not rugged mountainsSlow progress on the road, although the Sinai remain cold, as always in movement, who do not feel cold, but the hands can not stand, the gloves are essential in mountain climbing. Mountaineering in the road several rest point, inside the supply of hot drinks, but the price is very expensive. As the altitude increases, more and more a steep mountain road, pavement or ice accretion, began to appear on several occasions I almost slipped, very dangerous. Because we have to slow speed of mountaineering, climbing more than three hours and not feel tired, at about 4: 30 arrival at Sinai mountain. Although intentionally walked slowly, but when they arrive or too early, the peak is very cold, so little wind. There are a bunch of people who rent a blanket of Egypt, like flies who go around, very annoying. Because on tour and rental blanket is not between transactions, therefore resolutely not shame rental blanket. From the time of Sunrise, so I had to go find a place of refuge from the cold, there is only one seat is the peak of the Orthodox Church of Greece the Trinity (father, son, and Holy Spirit) Chapel, outgoing monk guikulanghao prayers. Can't find a place that can only be a typhoon in situ running warm. With sunrise time draws near, the top of the hill people enormous, luckily we came early, make up a good location.

At about 5: 30, Eastern gradually turns red and the sky appear exotic colorful clouds.

Red Sky is becoming more and more light, the entire Sinai's profile is increasingly clear that the undulating hills of the barren rock, El color is early-maps have the glowing red, we've got a lot of snow on the cliff, the moving stirring scenery makes one lifetime. To see the sunrise in the mountains many Russia, their quality, noisy. Sunrise moments nearer, the crowd sing hymns of outgoing tempests. Mount Sinai is a mountain of religion, the Bible says "Horeb" is the mountain of Moses, the founder of Judaism is Sinai summoned by God, and received the "ten commandments" and founded the Judaism. And Christian believers think here is the nearest place away from God, so being in this place can feel very strong religious atmosphere. Nearly 6: 35, fiery red Sun suddenly jumped out of the horizon, it's a feeling of abnormal shock, when red sunshine on who really give people a sense that God exists, then suddenly feel of consciousness are a bit fuzzy. To see the Sunrise people to express their voices, and some of the feelings, some singing crying "Harry used", next to a group of Korea staffing arm in singing chant, I asked around Korea girls what they were saying, Korea girl hear a would tell me, they said "let God Grace illuminated the whole mankind! let those Islamic people abandon their evil faith, regression Christian!". God, the guys are crazy, if Egypt people can understand these things, not the fat beat these Korea. Religious power too great, religion can make people mad!

Watching the Sunrise, with heavy flow of people walking down the Hill.

It took about 2 hours to arrive at the foot of the monastery of Saint Catherine, because you want to open the door until 9: 00 am, we had to wait a while before entering. St. Catherine monastery is very large, surrounded by high walls, but can visit the place is very small. First enter the monastery courtyard, many visitors will go to the wall in front of a small bushes devoutly touch, prayer, so here is the Old Testament law as described in the "Angel of the Lord in the burning thorn forest summoned Moses" that Plexus thorn forest. So important Holy things actually are here, in the vicinity there is also a well of Moses, the Bible records, legendary original this well as bitter wells, monks no water can be drunk, and Moses came to stick toss well working, well water immediately become sweet. St. Catherine monastery only visit the indoor attractions is a small chapel inside the wall hung up in the various Holy, because on the Christian does not understand, do not know who these icons. One piece stands in a glass box, the inner piece of human bones, many believers in this head devoutly hit box of glass. It is said that this is the sister of Saint Catherine, the remains of Saint Catherine was a period of 4 century a.d. United Kingdom nuns, when she came to Egypt by the Roman domination, the missionary of the persecution of Roman Emperor. At the time of the Roman ruler (where a representative is Nero), large-scale and long-term persecution of Christians, Christian and national worship the emperor. For disobedience of a Christian is the exile or massacre, Saint Catherine is in this context, in all torture was beheaded, and she died suddenly disappear, it is said that the body is an angel will she took. Later people Sinai discovered Santa Katerina nuns of the body, muscular rots, and the only remaining skeletons, but her hands throwing prayers. St. Catherine monastery to commemorate Saint Catherine nuns and in the 6th century AD. The chapel of the rooms have a Center, which is equipped with Saint Catherine nuns of the remains. But after visiting the monastery, I do not feel good, feel a bit scary, Christianity to idol worship coitus.