[TaureanBull]

Happy new year to everyone. I reached back yesterday early morning from my trip. It was not as planned because of two main reasons - health problems and weather problems. Nevertheless the trip went as scheduled except that the surprise did not happen because of the weather. It would be unlocked some other time in near future.

Leaving with a few teasers. I will post rest of the pics after I sort out the pics.

[TaureanBull]

We spent in three nights in Sharks' Bay, Sharm-el-Sheikh at Shark's Bay Umbi Village; one of the many diving villages right on the shore of Red Sea. Its about 5 kms from Sharm-el-Sheikh City and very VFM. Sharm-el-Sheikh is shamelessle budget unfriendly. Mainly because this city is favourite destination among Europeans. The area and beaches are full of westerners trying to get some tan and beat the cold in their countries. It has lead to development of several places along the Red Sea shore in Sinai - Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba etc.

Cairo International Airport Trml 3, good piece of art work



Our Hotel-with all facilities and various type of accommodation



The Beach - Private to the hotel







The Massage and Equipment rental corner







The Diving Centre



Front Row of Beach Cabins - No need to say we stayed in the first row.

[TaureanBull]

Some more pics of the hotel.

The Beach & Jetties





The Sea Food Restaurant - some yummy food!





The ethnic style Seating Restaurant with a view to see and....





... some wonderful music( frankly speaking it was the first time I saw a Denon system with Bose speakers in a restaurant).



An old anchor with Corals on its surface



The Beach Bar



A Harley parked in the hotel

[TaureanBull]

Sorry guys, I have been too busy. Continuing the story. I thoroughly enjoyed three days in Sharks' Bay. I snorkelled an explored the wonderful beautiful world of Corals. Its seen to be believed. Just few meters off the beach in knee deep water one can see the corals and beautiful colourful fishes often caressing your feet. Wow! More adventurous ones can go further ahead in deep water, next to jetty. There are diving options too.

Surprisingly there were two sharks attack on tourists in Sharm-el-Sheikh right next to jetty in December. It lead to closure of beaches and swimming. There were huge cancellations of bookings. In Sharks Bay, swimming was permitted only upto jetty. Basically not in deep waters. The reason for these freak attacks were quoted right from environmental changes to acts of Mossad. The investigations are on.

Here are some of my catches. Would love it if some one can identify few of them. I am clueless.

[MohsinRoadster]

So the taurean is back... nice to see you on board again.

[TaureanBull]

Originally Posted by MohsinRoadster

So the taurean is back... nice to see you on board again.

I was always there buddy but was a bit busy to sort out the pics and post them.

Another good way of exploring the underwater world is taking a ride in the glass bottom boat. It takes you far away from Beach into sea, not necessarily deep though, to see some amazing creations of nature which otherwise are accessible to divers and good swimmers.

The Boat Taking the Divers to Deep Sea





In the Glass Bottom Boat













The "Brain" Coral





No.... Its not a Cauliflower market but the bunch of Corals.







Some more adventure going on...parasailing

[TaureanBull]

Hi Guys. Putting up more pics of my spottings. Would love to know the names if someone can identify them. I did click pics from a film use and throw underwater camera but results were poor. Then I bought a waterproof cover for my Sony P&S camera which I am yet to use.

[TaureanBull]

Some of the sunrise pics in Red Sea. The beauty of the scene was enhanced by the calm and tranquility of the place. As the golden rays of the sun started falling on the water, it reflected like sheet of gold. Wonderful!

[TaureanBull]

Hi Guys. Update after a long time.

The visit to Sinai also constituted a visit to the St Catherine Monastery. For all those who are unaware about it must go through this article on Wiki.

Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

However, I produce some important facts here, collected from Internet :-

-The St Catherine Area is a World Heritage Site.

- It is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was protected by all religions all though its history. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) had accorded safety and special rights to the place and pilgrims. A signed document is displayed in the Monastery Museum.

- The monastery library preserves the second largest collection of early codices and manuscripts in the world, outnumbered only by the Vatican Library.

[lurker]

Hope you are all right.

[neel385]

Hey buddy, hope that you are staying safe from the turmoil that Egypt seems to be going through!

[khoj]

Hello TaureanBull,

It is sad to see Egypt under turmoil, more so after having seen and read about it here in your thread.
I trust that you and your family are safe and have been lucky enough to be on Air India's evacuation flight that flew out of Cairo earlier today.

[MohsinRoadster]

Your travels must have been affected isnt it??? Hope you have a safe time there.

Egypt's Opposition Unites Behind ElBaradei - FoxNews.com

[TaureanBull]

Hi Guys, Thanks for everybody's concerns. Everything is fine. Life is much normal than what would appear to you. I must commend the Egyptian people for controlling the protests very well. More than 1 million people yesterday and almost negligible violence. Regards to the military too for showing respect to its citizens.

I am slightly out of the downtown so I am reasonably comfortable. There is good protection from military. Daily needs available. Mobile sevices were out for about 2 days. The internet has become active today after several days.

Lets hope everything becomes normal soon and what ever is good for Egypt and Egyptians happen.

Last but not the least, I am having an extenddddeeeeeeeeeed weekend with family. Good family time. Wife was very happy until the internet became active.

Sorry, forgot its a photologue....

[MohsinRoadster]

Nice to know things are much better than what we see from this side of the globe.
Have a nice time and keep us posted