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Real life tropical screensaver on Sinai Peninsula - Israel
by Colin | Date >
2004-08-15 | Country : Israel | City : Sinai Peninsula
| Area : Sinai Peninsula |
| What is the most bizarre lift you have ever taken? Think about that one, because if you’ve hiked enough sooner or later that weirdo is bound to pick you up or maybe every time a car stops for you. Anyway I digress as one of the many weird one came in Israel hitching through the Negev Desert by the Dead Sea. I was accompanied by a tiny French girl from my Kibbutz by the name of Jacqueline headed for one of the best coral reefs in the world at Ras Mohammed near Sharm el Sheik. A fleet of trucks came by carrying precast houses for the settlers near Eilat (The whole Sinai Peninsula was Israel in those days 1978). The last of the convoy stopped to give us a lift and proceeded to motion us into the house with its 2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen so the first view of the Red Sea we both had was from a house in motion.
Slept on the beach that night with tall mountains in the background, shimmering calm sea and the twinkling lights of Jordan in the distance. Got to Dahab the next day to hire a basic palm fringed hut on the beach, never seen coral before nor had Jacqueline and what beautiful sea to swim in. Sharm was amazing in those days, just a few hippies and locals; I remember them showing the James Dean movie “Giant” outside on the side of a building. Ras Mohammed exceeded our expectations after we got a lift from fishermen who barbecued fresh fish for us as we walked about 500 metres over solid coral to encounter big holes then the edge of the reef which was crystal clear as far as the eye could see. Just had a mask each, but what a sight we were treated to, coral in the full spectrum of colours more than matched by fish like a screensaver come to life. Even some baby sharks came to say hello. I’ve heard the area is chock full of 5 star resorts now. How many adventures are left? |
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