Friday
This is quite a place. It’s a large picturesque resort on the Red Sea. When we drove up last night, it was far bigger and more elaborate than we ever expected. And it’s ‘all inclusive’ including drinks. As soon as we entered we were given a red tag around our wrist indicating the ability to claim free food and drink at any time. It was such a relief to have arrived at a place that was relatively Western.
We had gone through the rough parts of Egypt – the buzzing tourist sites complete with the possibly two worst things about this country – the endless pleadings from vendors of all ages for us to buy stuff and the requirement to pay to use the bathroom. At each toilet stop, a mandatory charge of 5 Egyptian pound is claimed by a person sitting at the door. Most of them are equipped with a roll of toilet paper which is duly measured out and handed over. Yesterday, at the Valley of the Kings, it was the worst loo experience. There was no water at the toilet. I paid my money, got my loo paper and entered the complex. A lady came out of the cubicle shaking her head and mentioning ‘terrible terrible!’ As I was about to enter, the toilet attendant suddenly rushed past me, ‘wait wait!’ He picked up a bucket of soapy water, rushed into the toilet and tossed half of it down, reserving the other half for the next toilet. This was not a lady-like WC. It was time to put to the test all the many squats I had done at gym. No touching the seat this time! The next loo was just outside the Karnak temple complex. We found a coffee shop and a decent priced cappuccino (1 Euro). After we ordered we noticed a WC and in I went. So grateful to have a “free wee”, I noticed too late there was no toilet paper. Ah! Then I remembered. I fished into my pocket and pulled out a serviette. I guess all of this is TMI, but, Ladies, if you ever intend to visit Egypt, it’s an indication for you to be prepared!
So, imagine the relief to arrive at an organised Western hotel with free loos. We were tagged with the all-inclusive tag, handed in our passports to be photocopied and went off for the buffet dinner. It was already after 9pm last night. After dinner, we headed upstairs. I came down to the lobby to do the blog and then went to bed, but a lot of discussion was had with Mike in between.
This may turn out to be the best hotel we have stayed in in Egypt, but also the worst. Here’s why: after we got upstairs to our hotel room, I immediately had a strange sensation of movement. There was a slight degree of building movement. I am very sensitive to it, so felt it immediately. It was like getting on a boat – the place had a bit of vibration. The hotel has suites so you enter a lounge. It’s wonderfully spacious, but with what felt like the building moving, I went from loving the place and wishing we had longer here, to being really insecure and I can’t wait to leave! Mike initially thought I was imagining things, but he went into the bathroom and to his astonishment, the towel hanging on the rail was moving ever so slightly. Yip! After seeing all the badly built, falling down buildings in Cairo and even in Aswan and Luxor, we have no idea of what is behind the plaster and paint of this place. Mike went downstairs and asked how old the hotel is. It’s four years old. We figured if it hasn’t fallen down yet, we had a good chance it will stay standing until we can get on the bus tomorrow morning at 5am. Mike also remembers Paul Giloi, our engineer saying that the problems come not when the building is moving – that means it’s flexible – problems come when it’s older and dried out and is stiff and no longer flexible. Those buildings have the potential to suddenly fail and collapse. We are on the 5th floor. .
So that’s why I say it may be the worst hotel we have stayed in, in Egypt. Best because it is idyllic. This is the view from our room. That’s the Red Sea. It is pristine.
Walking like an Egyptian…
Swimming way out…I don’t think I’ve every swum in sea water that is so pristine…
And just lazing…
I’ve got a whole lot more photos but the internet is pretty weak where I am so I’m not able to upload them. I’ll have to try put them up when I have better internet. (Edit on 4/Jan/2020) I’ve got better internet so here are some more of the photos. This is the resort…
Beautiful view from our shaky room (David suggested it’s because our room is right by the lift)
Sunrise at Samra…
This way to the Red Sea…
This evening, we have a tour dinner and then tomorrow, we head back to Cairo. I still can’t believe we are in Egypt!
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always.
These are the days!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
Ran 5km and swam in the Red Sea.
Braces:
1 year and 51 days