Relaxing in the Red Sea

Feeling as if my heavy head had just hit the soft pillow, alarm bells rang for my earliest wake up call that I can remember.  The clock had just struck 2AM, and it was time to depart for Vienna for my four hour flight to the Red Sea city of Hurghada, Egypt.  One small observation, with the flight being operated by Niki Air (part of Air Berlin/One World), I thought it was odd the Niki’s mascot is a fly.  With most airlines choosing a bird or country specific emblem (a shamrock for Air Lingus or tropical dancer for Hawaiian Airlines), I have no clue why Niki would choose an annoying insect as their route to market.  But the airline is friendly, the food is good, and the flights were on time.

Egypt is home to 82 million people, and an interesting point of reference is that 98% of the population resides on 3% of the land.  Being that the country is predominately desert, the observation is probably not shocking, but the low land percentage is surprising.  From the air, you can definitely sense that the Nile River is the source of life for many, as seems that the only source of green vegetation was on the banks of the river.  Bordering Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Mediterranean Sea and Gaza to the north, and the Red Sea to the East, with Saudi Arabia just across, there was always a sense of nervous feelings in the air.  However, within the walls of the resort, you felt like this was paradise. 

Upon arriving in the airport (where I received a second look from passport control), and a short 30 minute bus ride through the deserts and along the mountains, finally coming to a stop in secluded area which housed 500+ rooms, 5 restaurants, 3 large pools (although they were too cold for me at 22/70 degrees), multiple bars, and lots of ice cream, I was definitely looking forward to a relaxing time.  With any time to a foreign country, you must always be careful what you eat and drink to order to not spend your entire trip trapped in your hotel room.  Apart from drinking bottled water (even for brushing) and no ice ever, my recommendation is to eat as unhealthy as you possibly can.  Leave the fresh fruits (bananas are ok because they must be pealed) and salads to the side, and select the fries, burgers, eggs, and noodles…basically anything that has been cooked.

With the temperature hovering around 27 (80s) all week, the sea was 24 degrees, and while it was too cold for the dolphins, it was just perfect for me.  Apart from sun and fun, one of the main tourist attractions of the Red Sea is the amazing coral life.  You definitely need a pair of water shoes as the coral is very hard and sharp.  After walking about 100 yards from the shore through the waist deep sea, you breath is taken away by the 40 foot drop covered with numerous and colorful marine life.  I struggled to keep pace with the small sting ray that blended in very well with the sea floor while the dark and elusive moray eel remained hidden within the coral, finally slithering through the rocks in search for some peace and quiet.

A week in the Red Sea was exactly what I needed to relax from the hustle and bustle of work, and to look forward to 2013.