Egypt

Feb 1st - Feb 9th 2011

Tuesday 1st February 2011

Home to Gatwick

So here we go again for another Winter holiday.

After a few days off to prepare for the holiday, we got up on Tuesday morning with all the packing still to do. Nikki had a meeting with a Doctor in Winslow first thing about Feet For Purpose business. While she was out I made the executive decision to see if we could get a room at the Crowne Plaza Gatwick. I'd already booked us in to the Holiday Inn Express - but hey - why not spoil ourselves.

Got a good rate at £103 including breakfast so finished our packing and headed off there at about 13.00. Easy drive down to Gatwick - not much traffic around. Took about an hour and a half - so not bad at all.

At check-in the receptionist pointed out that I wasn't automatically entitled to a room upgrade - we discussed it for a while and then she agreed I was. So we got 544 Club Room and lounge access. Nice!

Went to the lounge and got some coffee and then watched a bit of BBC News 24 to see if Egypt was still safe. It seemed OK so it's all systems go for tomorrow.

Went up the the airport to do twilight check-in. Nice to get rid of our cases meaning tomorrow morning should be a little easier!

Stuart rocked up about 18.30 on his way back from Reading for our pre-arranged Toby Carvery. Sadly this time the service was pretty rubbish - but the food was good. Ate our own body weights in veg and then found room for the free ice-cream we'd got a voucher for. Our server was a bit surly and was slagging off her boss at every opportunity.

Back to the hotel for a coffee and then discovered it was all kicking off in Egypt. Statement expected from President Mubarak shortly so we stayed  to watch that. He wasn't going anywhere but things seemed peaceful in Tahrir Square. Went to bed with a slight feeling of worry but nothing major!

Roll on tomorrow.

Wednesday 2nd February 2011

Gatwick to Marsa Alam

Didn't sleep so well - probably the anticipation of the holiday. Sound asleep though when the alarm went off at 05.50.

Nikki had a shower and I went on a coffee hunt - nothing doing. Back to the room and then headed down for breakfast. I had some toast and cereal - Nikki had some fruit and a bit of cooked breakfast. Back to the room for my shower and  checked out just after 07.00.

Took about 10 minutes to drive to the airport where the Purple Parking man was waiting for us. Gatwick's having quite a bit of redevelopment - had a great travelator to take us up to the terminal. We'd checked in last night and were told to rock up at the desk and get our tag for the wheelchair. We did this but found we had to queue up with everyone

else. I asked a nice lady who dashed off and came back with the tag. Security was pretty straight forward and friendly so we were through by about 07.30.

Did some last minute shopping for suntan lotion and went for a coffee. Rang Mum and Dad to say hello - got Mum, think Dad was still in bed - well it was 08.00 so I was wishing I still was.

Back down to the special assistance desk and the bloke said he’d meet us down at the aircraft which he duly did. We boarded first. We'd pre-booked the front two seats and got them so all was fine.

It's odd (and a bit snobby) to go back to charter flights - even if they did save us £500. My expectations weren't particularly high but I have to say it wasn't too bad at all. The in-flight entertainment was on screens from the ceiling so no AVOD here then. We had brought our own DVD player with us to counter this problem!. Watched a Drew Barrymore film about long distance relationships which wasn't too bad and then watched Mission Impossible 2.

Food was really quite good. We had a omelette with potatoes & tomato with orange juice and coffee so all was well.

Flight was just over 5 hours and by about hour 4 it was really feeling like it. Then we had some more coffee and opened the blinds when the captain told us we were over Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Amazing landscape. Just what I'd expect to see on final approach to the moon. Miles and miles of arid desert with what clearly used to be river valleys cut out.

We started our descent in to Marsa Alam and flew out over the resort before turning back to land. From the sky you really get an impression of how small and remote it is. Literally nothing for as far as the eye can see and then this resort plonked down on the coast.

Assistance was really quick and brought Nikki's chair up to the aircraft doors. It was here I started tipping like my surname was Abramovich. Basically 100 Egyptian Pounds is £10 - so I was handing tenners out to the special assistance people thinking they were £1. No wonder we had such good service!

Got into the arrivals area and queued up for our visa. Cost about £27 for the two of us - but a really nice visa - not just a smudged stamp so felt that was worth it. As we were queuing to get our passports checked, the Concierge from the Intercontinental arrived and said he'd wait for us by the luggage belts. This he did and he and his assistant lugged our bags to our pre-booked car.

Very quick 10 minute drive to the hotel with much talk of President Mubaraks' future. We remained diplomatic.

At the hotel there were 4 people waiting to take our bags and escort us into reception. Everyone kept saying "Welcome Home" which was a nice touch. In the lobby we were greeted by name by the Manager, Assistant Manager, Executive Manager and Front Office Manager! While we were being bombarded with kind words a waiter came up with drinks and cold towels for us - what a welcome. Didn't go near the front desk and were issued with our keys!

Concierge then insisted on taking us on a quick tour of the complex before showing us to our room. Really nice room! On the way I asked how much breakfast was and he said it would be complimentary - normal price $25 per person, per day - so that's made up for my excessive tipping!

Started unpacking and realised the fridge and TV weren't working. Rang down and a chap arrived within 5 minutes to fix it. I then rang down and asked about internet access. Was told it was £14 a day - but that would be complimentary too for our stay. Racking up the savings here! Then the Concierge said we'd booked on the $133 per day rate which with our complimentary upgrade meant we were paying too much. He was going to book us on the $112 per day rate and give us the complimentary upgrade with - well their compliments really!

I like this place!

Had a quick shower and a look at the balcony before going for a wander to check out the marina. Lots of little tat shops - one bloke was really friendly and approached Nikki and asked what such a beautiful woman was doing out here and then asked how many camels I'd consider selling her for. I said 100 but came down to one lame one with a lazy eye in the end.

Decided to eat all Egyptian-like so went to TGI Fridays and had a HUGE salad. Nikki went for some traditional Egyptian Fahitas as eaten by all the Pharoahs in ancient times. Total cost 170 EGP - on the way back to the hotel bought some postcards, stamps and 3 fridge magnets. Total cost 270 EGP or £27. That's the dinner budget blown for tomorrow. It’ll be the biscuits we nicked from the Crowne Plaza at Gatwick and the complimentary fruit for dinner tomorrow.

Back in the room now at 22.00 Egyptian time and just about ready for coffee, book and bed!

Thursday 3rd February 2011

Marsa Alam

Both awake at 06.30 with sunlight streaming in through the curtains! Decided it was coffee time and got up and then twigged it was 04.30 in the UK.

Sat on the balcony for a while and watched the sun come up fully. They'd already started setting out the party next to the pool for the Glaxo Smith-Kline end of conference event.

Had a walk out to the beach and the pier to get our bearings and came back via the breakfast room for some food. Nice spread with loads of fruit, cereal, breads and cooked stuff - including an omelette chef. Had some fruit and then a nice omelette - plus the waiter brought us freshly squeezed orange juice and a large latte so very happy indeed!

Back to the room for a shower before heading off to the beach for some serious sun. Chap at the beach set up our area with towels etc. Each little seating area has 2 sunbeds, 2 deck-chairs and 2 movie-star type chairs surrounded by a rather superfluous wind-break. Sat and watched the world go by for a bit before venturing in to the sea for a snorkel. We've brought our Rashies with us from Australia so we don't burn so struggled into those. I look like a badly packed sausage.

Sea was quite cold to start but soon warmed up when we were in. Coral started within feet of the beach so we swam over that with some amazingly coloured fish. Then about 100 yards out it suddenly drops off hundreds of metres. Wonderful swimming over this coral cliff surrounded by all types of fish. Stayed in for over an hour swimming back and forth and just watching all the fish.

Got out and dried off in the sun. Nikki put her bathrobe on as she was freezing by this time. Chap came and brought us water so we stayed put for a while. I guess it was during this "staying put" phase my now lobster coloured sunburn started! Didn't feel a thing at the time though.

Came back up to the room for a freshen up before heading off for lunch. Ended up in Costa Coffee for a grilled four cheese sandwich and a really good coffee. Wandered back to the room about 14.00ish and decided an afternoon nap was in order. Didn't sleep for hours - just til about 15.30. Had coffee on the balcony and decided to head out again to retrieve the things we'd left on the beach.

Sat on the balcony and watched them put the finishing touches to the GSK event - looks really good with a live band and dozens of tables set up around the pool.

Because of the GSK event the hotel has given us another room for tonight as ours is right next to the pool. Went to check it out and it seems far enough away but we'll have a watch of the band etc before deciding whether to go there or stick it out. Nice to have the option though as any stress is avoided.

By this point we were a bit peckish. Thought we'd try and find Pizza Hut for a salad etc. Place was deserted. Had salad bar and a pizza and got talking to the staff there. They are terrified about the unrest in Egypt because of the effect it's having on the tourism industry. Really brought it home to us that we're the only Brits on holiday in this entire £2bn resort. 180 people flew in with us on Wednesday and they've scattered to other hotels near Marsa Alam where I guess they're on full-board or all-inclusive. Waiter and manager had their views on the whole situation. They want Mubarak to stay until September and then be replaced by Omar Suleiman. They don't speak kindly of Mohamed el Baradei. Both were very apologetic about the situation and hoped it wasn't causing us too many problems on our holiday. We said if we didn't turn the TV on then we wouldn't even know there was anything going on.

Really put in perspective why everyone is so kind and glad to see us. They see us as some vanguard of brave British tourists who've come to save them. I guess it is that serious for them. If the tourists don't come then there won't be the jobs here for them to feed their families. Sobering thought - and now I don't feel so annoyed about my excessive tipping on Wednesday.

Award ceremony at the GSK event was just starting as we got back to the room so sat on the balcony and watched that for a while. Key person giving out the awards was British - everyone else was Russian so he needed a translator on stage with him. Band started about 21.00 and started cranking out the hits from the last 40 years including Beatles, Bananarama and the sound track to The Commitments with the occasional Russian song thrown in for good measure. Such fun!

Rigged up our portable DVD player to the in-room TV and now we're watching Season 2 of 24. It's 22.40 now so a final decision will be made on moving room shortly - though Nikki is already fast asleep on the bed so we may stick it out.

Friday 4th February 2011

Marsa Alam

Well we decided to switch rooms at around 23.30 - the music was still going at the party and we were both flagging a bit. Grabbed pillow etc and moved to a room on the other side of the complex and so to bed!

Woke up around 08.45 - both feeling quite tired. Quick coffee in room number 2 before heading back to our normal room. Quick shower and then breakfast. Fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice and lots of coffee later we were feeling human again.

Had a budget meeting before going out and found out we're broke! Checked our current account and it's basically been cleared out. A few moments of panic and then I remembered the pre-authorisation the hotel took when we checked in. This always leaves a shadow on your account and is usually a hundred quid or so. Worked out they'd pre-authorised just under £1,000. God knows how much they think we're going to spend in the hotel bar - our entire stay is costing less than £300. We'll have words about that tomorrow! Problem we have is that no ATMs are working in Egypt. Not that it matters - the hotel has taken all our money anyway!

Headed to the beach around 10.45 - a lot windier today but still sunny and warm. Chappie set up our seating area with towels etc and we chilled for a bit before deciding to give the snorkelling a go again.

This time we headed out to the end of the pier - decided jumping in would be a painful but quick way of getting in the water!

Great snorkel in much choppier waters. Found a huge turtle and watched him for a while - I also saw some sort of eel darting around and hiding under a rock. If you imagine the pier as the big hand on a clock pointing at Midday with the beach going from 9 to 3 then we swam from Midday to 3 watching all the fish. Took the underwater camera with us to try and get some shots. Took some of the turtle so we'll see if they come out. Odd using a film in the camera rather than the instant gratification of digital!

Tried swimming over the reef shelf back to the beach but the tide was out and it was a lot shallower than yesterday. I managed to seriously gash my leg on the reef - Nikki reckons it's a scratch but I think I'm lucky not to have lost my leg. So we swam back to the end of the pier with me trailing blood behind me - useful in an area with sharks around! I reckon I lost about 2 pints - Nikki thinks it was more like 0.00001 pints at most.

Very hard swim back to the pier and we were getting cold by this time. Glad to haul ourselves out. Lifeguard was interested in our turtle spot - he reckons it was probably 120 years old judging by the size.

Back to the beach for a drink and sit down. Had emergency treatment on my leg which involved some water being poured over it and being told not to be such a wuss. By this time we were knackered so came back up to the room for a hot shower and some coffee.

Lunch consisted of a Snickers, coffee and some fruit! Spoke to Mum & Dad on Skype and got the webcam working again to show them around the room. We were flagging by now so both fell asleep for an hour or so.

Up around 15.30 and went for a wander around the hotel and surroundings to plan this evening's meal. Spoke to a couple from Manchester who'd just flown in and were loving the Intercontinental. Back to the beach to get our stuff and then back to the room where we spent an enjoyable half an hour on Google Earth looking at places we'd been and where we are now. Worked out that Saudi Arabia is 180km across the sea from the hotel - Cairo is 700km. In fact we're closer to Israel than we are to Cairo. Also looked at other African counties we'd never even heard of. Who knew Western Sahara is actually a country!

Decided we were going to find this Italian restaurant called Pepe e Caccio which is number one on TripAdvisor. Not a chance - couldn't find it anywhere. Ended up in TGI Fridays with a giant salad with blue cheese which was delicious.

Spoke to the hotel concierge about a trip to Abu Dabbab which is supposed to be an excellent snorkelling area about half an hour down the coast. First they told us all tours away from Port Ghalib had been cancelled because of the "situation". They've now agreed to take us for about £20 in a car with a driver to look after us. Think we'll do that on Sunday or Monday.

Watched part of a film (Red Eye) on one of the Arabic channels - Nikki gave up the ghost about 21.00 and has gone to sleep. I'm finishing this and joining her I think. Hope it's less windy tomorrow.

Saturday 5th February 2011

Marsa Alam

Another quiet day dominated by eating, swimming and snorkelling.

Had a later breakfast - about 09.30. A lot quieter this morning as the Glaxo people are on their last day. When they go it'll be 6 of us in the entire hotel.

Decided to base ourselves around the swimming pool. Dropped off all our bags and stuff and got ready for another snorkel. Quite a few people on the pier as the Russians make the most of their last day of sunshine.

Very cold again getting into the sea - but I like the jump in as it gets the pain of the cold over with in a few seconds. Nikki is braver and goes down the steps.

Swam around the reef looking for the turtle again but with no luck. Still thousands of fish of every possible colour under the sun. Got out and went back to the swimming pool where we decided to be brave and have a go at the main pool. Didn't feel too cold at all as we were already wet from the sea.

Lounged on our loungers and watched the world go by for a couple of hours - we both dozed off at one point. Lunch was taken at the poolside restaurant. I had a focaccia sandwich which came with some chips while Nikki had a salad with feta cheese plus two very nice coffees.

A bit more lounging around and then I went back up to the room to see how the EDL Rally in Luton was going - seemed to be passing off without any problems. Texted my two reporters there to check they were OK.

Back to the pool and I decided to brave it again. Was buggering around on the step trying to get enough courage to brave the cold - and I fell in. Did about a length and a half and got out sharpish.

Saw the concierge and booked our tour to Abu Dabbab to see the turtles.

Had showers and more coffee before heading around to the port for tea. Tonight's eating establishment of choice was an Egyptian speciality restaurant called Pizza Hut. After too much garlic bread, potato wedges and penne pasta we waddled to Costa Coffee for a bucket of coffee before heading back to the room.

I've rigged up our portable DVD player to the TV so we watched an episode of 24 before calling it a night.

Sunday 6th February 2011

Marsa Alam

It's the morning of the big excursion. We're being picked up at 10.30 by our driver to take us to Abu Dabbab. There's some confusion with the exact spelling so for the sake of argument, I'm going with Abu not Abo!

Breakfast was taken in an orderly fashion. We now only have 2 other couples here. One from Leeds and one from again up north but not sure where. Bumped in to the them at breakfast and exchanged pleasantries. Our normal breakfast Maitre d' is now heading home to Cairo for a few weeks leave with his family so we thanked him for all his help and service and told him we'd be back again!

Our driver called at 10.15 to say he was ready when we were. Went to the lobby and they'd given us a bus rather than a car! They got the wheelchair loaded and we had the whole thing to ourselves. Not a 52 seater but certainly a step up from a mini-bus.

Driving out of the compound you really notice the difference. From neatly manicured lawns and 5 star service - you're suddenly on the type of road you see in documentaries about Africa. Lorries and buses going up and down sometimes - but generally deserted with desert one side and the sea on the other.

Takes about half an hour to get to Abu Dabbab. I really had no idea what to expect. We'd worked on the theory that there'd be nothing there and we'd need to change behind a towel. Couldn't have been further from the truth. We pulled up on a dirt road next to the beach and a little man came running out from behind this fenced off beach area to meet us and help with the wheelchair. He showed us in and took us to our choice of seating area under palm frond umbrellas. We had four beds to ourselves and we could pretty much fall in to the sea from our beds.

Got our snorkel gear ready and wandered out before we were yelled at from the land and told there were certain places to go in to the sea - and we weren't using the right ones! Once we were in it was quite cloudy and very different to Port Ghalib. The hotel reef is teeming with different coloured fish - this is more grassy and sandy. Swam for a while before I noticed I'd lost Nikki and swam back to where she was and she was right over a HUGE turtle. Just before I got to her, he'd come to the surface right next to her to breathe and they looked at each other above the surface before he dived down again. Watched him for ages. He had two fish on his back which seemed to be holding on for dear life as he swam around.

Back out on to the beach and the chappie had come right to the shoreline with the wheelchair and Nikki's dressing gown. He'd figured out that if you pull the chair rather than push it then it doesn't get bogged down in the sand. He pulled the chair back up the beach to our beds and helped us get settled. I wandered off to the beach restaurant and ordered two coffees which were lovely. We only had 100EGP notes and as the banks are closed the chap didn't have any change. He only had some Dollars and a couple of Euro which I took in exchange and then passed on to our beach helper. The cafe man kept saying "It's not enough change - please take more things - have water, have juice" I assured him I was fine with the deal as the coffees had only cost a quid!

Rang the hotel and they dispatched the bus to come and get us. The wind had really got up by this time and it was turning quite cloudy. He arrived after half an hour and whisked us back to the hotel for a warm shower and some lunch consisting of fruit, Snickers, Kit-Kat and coffee!

Both knackered by this time so fell asleep. When we'd got back to the room - all the curtains were closed and there was "something" on the bathroom floor. Naturally I assumed it was a dead pig (as you do) but when we put the lights on we could see it was a crocodile the cleaner had made from towels. He'd even put Nikki's glasses on him and put our TV remote in his mouth. Genius! Looked amazing surrounded by flower petals plus he'd also left fresh flowers for Nikki next to the bed. Nice touch!

Woke up around 16.30 and sat around drinking coffee and putting the world to rights for a while before heading out around 6 for tea. The Northern woman told us the Grand Cafe did a nice salad and good veggie pasta - total rubbish. We did end up there and had humus and a Lebanese salad with pitta bread which was pretty good. They also did an awesome strawberry milk-shake so my milk-shake brought all the boys to the yard - which was nice.

Back to the room via a very average ice-cream at Baskin Robbins and caught up with Mum & Dad, Bob and Danny on Skype before watching another episode of 24 (Season 3) and hitting the sack. Good day.

Monday 7th February 2011

Marsa Alam

Monday morning again!

Woke up around 08.15 and had some coffee on the balcony to start the day. Much warmer today plus the wind has died down considerably.

Went for breakfast at about 09.30 and lingered there for a bit with a lovely coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Back to the room and packed for the pool and snorkelling. Found some sun beds we liked the look of and dumped all our stuff before heading down the pier for a snorkel. Nikki dived in off the end of the pier to get the cold shock over with - actually not to bad today - water felt much warmer.

At the end of the pier you can either go left or right - but left has been off limits for the last few days because of the currents. Like a mill-pond this morning so the lifeguard said we could go left. Amazing number of fish - seems like more today than on previous days. Swam up with the reef to our left for a while admiring the various fish until I spotted a jelly-fish. Now it was only about a size of a saucer (on a kids play set) but I decided not to risk it so we turned back and got out of there sharpish. Swam down past the pier for a bit and then headed back. Probably the best snorkel of the holiday so far. It's obviously better in the morning when the sun is higher as the visibility is outstanding.

Back to the pool for a splash around before a collapse on the sunbeds. Stayed there watching the hoards of people around the pool (4 of us) before going to the pool bar for lunch. Cracking cheese and salad sandwich on white bloomer bread with a dish of chips and Nikki had a veggie pasta plus most of my salad and olives. 3 cappuccinos later we were ready for some more snorkelling. I like lazy lunches overlooking the sea in 75 degree heat.

Back down to the pier. It was a little colder this time and the tide had gone out a bit. We both dived in - I more bombed than dived and managed to soak Nikki and the lifeguard. Both laughed through gritted teeth! Headed left again but the visibility was a lot less this time. The sun was lower in the sky and was casting shadows across the reef meaning we couldn't see as far down as we had this morning.

Got out after about 30 minutes and chatted to the lifeguard about jellyfish before the hotel manager came and joined us for a chat. He was telling us about the IC's on Bali etc and we were comparing notes about the IC in Festival City in Dubai. He told us the Eco-Lodge just across the bay is actually owned by the resort as well and they're thinking of branding it as a Holiday Inn.

Back to the pool for another swim and a lounge on the sunbeds as the last of the day’s sunshine ebbed away. Nikki got a bit cold so we decided to head up to the room for a shower and some coffee. When we got back we noticed our crocodile had escaped - so somewhere in the IC Port Ghalib is a crocodile looking for food!

Now sat deciding what to have for nose-bag this evening. I imagine it'll be Pizza Hut with maybe a little less garlic bread - we shall see.

(more later)

Wandered around the port and took the evening air before deciding to go for Pizza Hut as predicted. We both had a salad bar and a garlic bread to share (even though Nikki didn't partake) followed by two pizzas. The waiters in there are very, very friendly and so glad to see us.

The posher Northern couple from the hotel arrived and had their meal outside while we sat inside.

After tea it was a quick dash back to the hotel trying to avoid the shopkeepers who wanted to entice us into their shops by telling us how much they liked British people and disliked Russians!

Another episode of 24 and bed.

Tuesday 8th February 2011

Marsa Alam

Up around 08.00 and the view from the balcony is sunny but windy. The sea is really choppy this morning with lots of white capped waves.

Went down to breakfast around 09.00 and again had the place pretty much to ourselves. Fruit, yoghurt and toast this morning - decided against the cooked option.

Back to the room for a shower before deciding against going for a snorkel. The current looks quite strong and I fear we'd end up washed ashore somewhere in Saudi Arabia.

Lots of relaxing and soaking up the sun to do - and that can be a tiring business.

Went for lunch in the pool bar around 13.30 and lingered there again with some sandwiches which come with chips and some lovely coffee.

Back to the pool for some more relaxing - very windy around the main pool area so we'd found a sheltered area just down from the pool which was great.

Called it a day around 16.00 and wandered down to the beach and over the pier to take some pictures of the hotel and the surroundings. Back to the room feeling windswept and interesting to upload the photos. Sadly no animal made of towels on the floor this afternoon.

Watched TV for a bit with CNN doing a piece on would you still go to Egypt with all the chances of your being killed and stuff - decided not to call in. I answered a few questions on TripAdvisor from people heading out here in the next week. Things like is there still food and water and have you been killed yet? Assured them that all was fine despite the French, German and Italian Governments sending rescue flights for their nationals.

Our return flight is due to land at 16.00 tomorrow to pick up us, so we'll probably watch it fly over the hotel as we're checking out. It's been a fab holiday with absolutely no scary moments or no issues with us being here - would totally come back.

Tea tonight will be along the marina somewhere - naturally we're spoiled for choice. Will it be Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays, Grand Cafe or...actually that's it!

(more later)

Well in fact it ended up as Costa Coffee! We'd been eyeing up the bargains to bring home as pressies for the last few days but every time you even glance at a shop the owner appears and offers you big, big discount. Tonight was the night though. We had a sandwich and quiche at Costa with a small bucket of coffee before heading into the shops. Actually it was straight forward enough - just a bit overwhelming. Once you buy a stuffed camel, you are offered a range of t-shirts to choose from. Did a bit of haggling and saved money - I think. In fact I'm not sure as the original price might have been massively inflated!

Back to the hotel to check out our purchases and to make sure what ended up in the bag was actually what we thought we'd bought - thankfully all was well. And so to bed.

Wednesday 9th February 2011

Marsa Alam to Home

Up around 08.00 for our last day in Egypt. Will be sorry to leave here - thoroughly enjoyed it.

Went down to breakfast and our fresh orange juice and coffee arrived within seconds. Gently grazed our way around the buffet - the General Manager came over to check everything was OK. He's an Aussie who's lived in the US for a lot of his life. He looked liked he'd come from central casting as a pilot - 6 foot 4, very smooth with greying hair and in his mid-fifties. He told us he was getting sick of the strap-line "Egypt in Crisis" which is on all the news channels. As he rightly pointed out, there's no sign of a crisis here!

Back to the room for a change into swimming gear and then down to the pool. The chappie who looks after towels came and made up our beds and we headed off for a snorkel. As usual we took the chair to the end of the pier but today we planned to follow the roped off area back to the beach and get out there. I told the lifeguard I'd come back for the chair but he wouldn't hear of it - he would deliver the chair to wherever we got out of the water!

This morning there were some German divers just surfacing at the end of the pier so we waited for them before diving in. A bit more choppy this morning but still amazing. We let the current take us on our route and just sort of lay there in the water watching the underwater world go by. Saw three Puffer Fish plus loads and loads of other types. Then we came across a turtle. When I spotted him he'd obviously just started his descent to the bottom after coming up to breathe. Watched him for about five minutes having his lunch.

Got back to the beach where the lifeguard was waiting for us - I like this personal service! We then went back up to the pool. Normally after a snorkel we've been going in the pool. Once you are acclimatised to the temperature then going into the unheated pool is no problem. When we got in this morning it felt really warm. It took us a few moments to realise they'd turned the heating on. Just beautiful swimming around in a huge, heated pool under sunny skies!

Only downside to this though was feeling cold when you got out. We huddled under towels and dressing gowns until we warmed up and then lay in the sun for a while.

Lunch was going to be our last big treat of the holiday so we headed off to the pool bar around Midday. I had the gorgeous toasted bloomer bread with cheese and salad - Nikki was more adventurous and went for the Mexican bread option. Basically grilled vegetables in a Mexican bread - looked very nice. We sat and enjoyed our meal overlooking the sea and feeling the last of the warmth!

Back up to the room around 14.00 for showers and packing. By 15.15 we were ready for the off. Our flight was at 17.50 and the airport is only 2km away so we knew we had plenty of time. Rang for the bags to be collected at 15.40 and went down to reception. Saw our cleaner (and crocodile creator) on the way so gave him a nice tip. In reception Mustafa was there to great us - he'd arranged a car to take us to the airport which I'm 99% sure we hadn't paid for!

He came out to see us off and we left on the long journey to the airport at 15.50. We arrived at 15.55 and the chaps who'd driven us escorted us into the terminal along with our bags.

Quite a short queue for the Thomson flight - the man in charge then stole Nikki in her chair and pushed her to an unoccupied desk. He checked us in very quickly and then asked if we could change pound coins into notes. It seems people tip in pound coins but the banks will only change notes for them.

Through security was quite painless though they did take quite an interest in Nikki's stick. The departure area is a reasonable size and everything is quite new. There's a Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee there along with a decent size duty free shop. We sat near the gate - as there were only two flights out it was quite easy to find. I went off to get some water and we watched the incoming Thomson flight arrive.

Now this will sound quite snobby but after a week in reasonable isolation a five star hotel, coming face-to-face with the rest of the people was quite a shock. There were, as Nikki put it, some quite "common" people there as well as more refined people - I think I was more taken aback by the sheer number of people.

They boarded us quite swiftly - we had the same seats as on the way out but it was a different aircraft so there was a bit more leg room. Pilot came on and announced that because of headwinds it would be a 6 hour flight. Groans all around!

Taxied out and took off towards the north before turning north-west. They started the film (Wall Street 2) quite quickly. I watched it while Nikki watched a movie on her I-Pod. Food came - I had a cheese risotto which was quite nice - Nikki had some sort of mushroom pasta followed by a rather stodgy chocolate cake.

Got a bit nuts about 3 hours in so got up for a walk around. Chatted to a chap who was interested in the fact that they take anything sharp off you at check-in and then let you buy copious amounts of flammable liquid in glass containers in duty free. And then if that's not enough - they then sell you the same things on-board! Fair point.

Watched 3 episodes of 24 on our DVD player before landing at Gatwick. That was a long flight - and it felt long!

Everyone got off and we waited for the lift to come for the chair. Saw it pull up and then stop. After some investigations by the Captain and the flight attendants it was discovered that there needs to be two people on the lift - one to drive and one to tell him where to stop. The one who told him where to stop had hurt his back. We were stuck for an hour and ten minutes. This despite the Captain offering to tell him where to stop and the flight attendants offering to tell him where to stick the lift! To be fair the Thomson crew were excellent but as frustrated as we were.

Eventually we were got off and whisked through the airport by a very nice chap who took us via luggage reclaim and out to the car. Purple Parking turned up with a minute or so and we were off.

Got out of the airport and on to the M25 and then realised we needed the loo, some coffee, bread and milk! Pulled off at one garage where the man behind the counter refused to open the door. After some swearing and shouting we departed and found another garage at the next junction which had everything we needed!

Got home around 01.30 which was 03.30 Egyptian time so as you can imagine we were tired. Into the house to find something beeping. Worked out it was the smoke alarm. It's mains powered but obviously the back-up battery had packed up. Took half an hour of buggering around with it before I turned the power off and disconnected it from the mains. Really didn't need that! And so to bed - both knackered but happy.

Great holiday despite the "crisis" in Egypt - it had little or no impact on us or on our holiday. And would we go back to Egypt? Totally!