LONG Break in Blogging - but will fill in (perhaps)!!
So we arrived here in Dahab, Sinai (just up the coast on the Red Sea from Sharm El-Sheik) after the 19 hour bus ride from Luxor. Luckily it was an overnight bus ride so we didn't really "lose" any days (laughing - we just don't have enough time to do everything, but we're trying)!!
Arriving at about noon on June 25, we were immediately accosted by the usual "touts" trying to get our business - taxi ride, hotel, etc.
As per usual, we ignored them (mostly) and since we are such a large group they continue to yell at us from their vehicles (we put on our backpacks and begin walking). Actually quite comical as we are often 16 people long with lots of belongings, roller backpacks, backpacks, daypacks and sunglasses to boot!!! So the price begins to fall, from 30 Egyptian pounds for the taxi and 30 for the hotel per night per person, to 20 for the ride, to .... to free ride to town and look at a place for a possible 10 pounds per night per person. (An Egyptian pound is the equivalent of about 18 cents.)
We took the free ride and the place was OK - NO AIR CONDITIONING kicked a few of us into the A/C (wasn't available the first night) so we are now paying double the price - yes, less than $4!!! Laughing out loud! Many are sleeping under a bedouin shelter - huge covering with carpets and cushions) as it is cooler than in the rooms.
The next step was to eat and search for a dive shop (some just went straight for the sea and snorkeling!!) grinning the whole way!! I think we checked 6 or 7 shops and chose the one that was cheapest but with a local owner who has a good "vibe" - after all, 5 of us are doing the Open Water Certification - never dove before, 2 are doing Advanced Open Water, 1 did a refresher course, 1 (me) is doing EFR (Emergency First Responder - a requirement for taking the Rescue Course) and Chad and I are also taking the rescue course. So we have 11 persons paying around 200 Euros per course (we bargained down on the price so most are only paying 180 or so), 20 Euros per fun dive - all equipment included, etc.
The diving has been amazing!!! So after 2 days here now we have found time to relax quite nicely, do some studying - yes, studying and more relaxing!!! grin ... Lots to do and NOT to do - that is just relax - here in Dahab.
Chad and I did a dive this morning and saw many puffer fish, a horned beak sea turtle (for about 5 minutes), a broom wrasse, many parrotfish and tons of other fish and bright vibrant coral. Pictures to come, I expect - yes, I have over 1600 already but have only looked at around 600 for possible inclusion on the blog.
Arriving at about noon on June 25, we were immediately accosted by the usual "touts" trying to get our business - taxi ride, hotel, etc.
As per usual, we ignored them (mostly) and since we are such a large group they continue to yell at us from their vehicles (we put on our backpacks and begin walking). Actually quite comical as we are often 16 people long with lots of belongings, roller backpacks, backpacks, daypacks and sunglasses to boot!!! So the price begins to fall, from 30 Egyptian pounds for the taxi and 30 for the hotel per night per person, to 20 for the ride, to .... to free ride to town and look at a place for a possible 10 pounds per night per person. (An Egyptian pound is the equivalent of about 18 cents.)
We took the free ride and the place was OK - NO AIR CONDITIONING kicked a few of us into the A/C (wasn't available the first night) so we are now paying double the price - yes, less than $4!!! Laughing out loud! Many are sleeping under a bedouin shelter - huge covering with carpets and cushions) as it is cooler than in the rooms.
The next step was to eat and search for a dive shop (some just went straight for the sea and snorkeling!!) grinning the whole way!! I think we checked 6 or 7 shops and chose the one that was cheapest but with a local owner who has a good "vibe" - after all, 5 of us are doing the Open Water Certification - never dove before, 2 are doing Advanced Open Water, 1 did a refresher course, 1 (me) is doing EFR (Emergency First Responder - a requirement for taking the Rescue Course) and Chad and I are also taking the rescue course. So we have 11 persons paying around 200 Euros per course (we bargained down on the price so most are only paying 180 or so), 20 Euros per fun dive - all equipment included, etc.
The diving has been amazing!!! So after 2 days here now we have found time to relax quite nicely, do some studying - yes, studying and more relaxing!!! grin ... Lots to do and NOT to do - that is just relax - here in Dahab.
Chad and I did a dive this morning and saw many puffer fish, a horned beak sea turtle (for about 5 minutes), a broom wrasse, many parrotfish and tons of other fish and bright vibrant coral. Pictures to come, I expect - yes, I have over 1600 already but have only looked at around 600 for possible inclusion on the blog.
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