Egypt

Jan 29th - Feb 5th 2013

Tuesday 29th January 2013

Home to Gatwick

After a quick visit to the doctor we mooched around at home and did some packing. Actually have four suitcases - two big, two small - one laptop bag and a wheelchair. We’re certainly not going unprepared for anything. 

Had lunch before the manager of the Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth rang and said the suite I’d booked wasn’t available because of plumbing problems. He asked if I’d be prepared to move to an Executive Room with free wi-fi, free breakfast and free parking to make up for the problem. As I’d only paid £60 for the suite - I happily agreed!

Left Calvert around 13.20. Stopped on the M40 at Beaconsfield for a quick Starbucks and then sailed around the M25 and M23. Had one slight hold up on the M23 as someone’s wheelbarrow had come off the back of their lorry and straight into the inside lane!

Got to the hotel around 15.20 and checked in. Chap who’d called insisted on showing us to our room. Very nice room. Quite spacious. Now downloading some TV and movies for the flight using the free internet!

Thomson offer “twilight” check-in so we headed up to the airport to drop off our cases. Very simple and straight forward. The woman checking us in said she’d blocked out the other seat in our row of 3 so we’d have a bit more room.

Decided to have a cheap and cheerful tea so went to McDonald’s for veggie burgers and fries followed by a McFurry (Drifter).

Went back to the hotel and watched some TV before arranging a 06.30 alarm call for Wednesday morning and calling it a night.

Wednesday 30th January 2013

Gatwick to Marsa Alam

Woke up around 06.20 after a pretty awful night’s sleep. The bed wasn’t too comfortable and the room was very hot.

After a shower it was down to breakfast - very nice and friendly staff. We checked out around 07.50 to drive to the airport. Rang the parking chap on the way and he was there to meet us when we arrived. A lot easier without the other two cases. Didn’t need to do any checking in as we’d been given our boarding passes so we went through security.

Bloke stopped us and said he’d seen fishing wire and a pair of pliers on the bag x-ray. The fishing wire was my iPod headphones but the pair of pliers was a pair of pliers so he confiscated them. Shame as I was planning to demand we be flown to Cuba by grabbing someone by the nose with my pliers. Oh well.

Checked in at the special assistance desk and then went off to get a coffee in Cafe Rouge. Very nice freshly squeezed juice as well. Did some quick shopping and made our way down to Gate 111. It’s one of the ones over the huge Gatwick bridge so a long old walk. We got boarded first and were in 2E and 2F. The promise from the woman at check-in yesterday didn’t hold up as the 3rd seat had been allocated to a very tall and very wide gentleman. Poor Nikki was squashed in the middle.

No queue for take off and we turned east and headed out over Dover before heading down to Athens and across the Med to the north coast of Egypt around Alexandria. We’d bought some sandwiches at Pret for the flight as the on-board prices were a bit steep. Watched a film on my laptop (John Q) before having lunch. I dozed for a bit after lunch and then listened to some music before we started our descent into Marsa Alam.

It was then we realised that the woman behind us was totally drunk. She was in her mid-60’s and as we were coming in over featureless desert was saying, “So beautiful” interspersed with Ooooohhh and Aaahhhhhh over and over. Even when we’d landed the refuelling truck was beautiful. When she got up to get off she fell over and then had to come back on board because she’d forgotten her coat!

The Ambu-Lift guys were quick enough and we were with another couple who told us that two people were still on the plane at the back because they’d drunk so much they were unconscious. What a great start to their holiday.

Went to the little bank in the arrivals hall and paid our £10 each for our visas before having them stamped. Got our bags off the carousel and walked out through immigration to be met by two chaps from the Intercontinental. Nikki struggling by this point so she was glad an end was in sight to the journey. They took us to the IC and we checked in. About 6 staff came over with cold towels and drinks for us before whisking us to 6229. It’s the same great room we had last time so I’m over the moon. Considering I paid about £50 a night for a bog standard room, they’ve upgraded us to a sea-view junior suite with about a £280 a night value. And they threw in free wi-fi.

Nikki had a sleep while I did the unpacking. Nice feeling to empty the cases and put everything in its place for the next week. Did some furniture re-arranging to accommodate laptop, phone chargers, fan, wi-fi router etc.

It was knocking on for 20.00 by this time so decided on tea. We went for TGI Fridays as I fancied a salad. Very friendly staff. We both had a really nice mushroom soup - I had a Ceaser Salad and Nikki had veggie fajitas. They were incredible - a hot plate sizzling!

Walked back through the souk on the hunt for milk. Never a good idea particularly in a resort with hardly any other tourists. One chap offered me a good deal on anything I wanted - another wanted me to spend 20 minutes with him talking about Harrods and Dodi al-Fayed. Politely declined and came back without our milk!

Watched a bit of BBC World News and called it a night around 23.00. Busy day!

Thursday 31st January 2013

Marsa Alam

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK so I was expecting to wake up at about 06.00 - in the end it was more like 08.00. Very good night’s sleep. Opened the curtains expecting to see the cloud we’d been promised on the weather forecast - and the sun was streaming in.

Had coffee on the balcony and enjoyed that feeling of warm sun. Very quiet in the resort. I tried one more time to blag free breakfast - but failed. I know I’m pushing it with a room upgrade and free wi-fi but worth a try!.

Down to breakfast at about 09.00. A few more people around than last time we were here which is both good and bad. Good for them but bad we don’t get the whole hotel to ourselves! Fruit, cereal and omelette with a giant latte and I was set for the day.

Back up to the room. Nikki sat on the balcony for a while until I got ready and we decided to go snorkelling. It was quite windy but I figured it would be worth it. Got all our gear ready and headed off to the pier than runs out from the hotel beach to the edge of the reef. VERY windy out there. I dived into the sea and had the initial cold shock before getting used to it. Lovely when you’re in. Nikki was a little more reticent but plucked up the courage to dive. Got our masks on and BOOM. Surrounded by thousands and thousands of fish of all types and colours. Followed the reef down just watching the fish. No turtles or sharks today but still incredible. Went about halfway to the beach and then went back to the end of the pier. Bloody freezing when we got out because of the wind.

Shivered our way back to the beach and nabbed two sunbeds. Lay there for a while before I was dispatched back to the room to get suntan lotion and books. When I got up to the room I was met on the landing outside by the cleaner. He said hello and then kept saying “security” and “safe”. He came into the room with me and pointed at my wallet and iPhone and said I MUST make sure they were in the safe. I explained the safe containing our passports and credit cards was buggered. He then insisted I wait while he called security! They only took 10 minutes and fixed the safe. Nikki thought I’d been kidnapped. Grabbed our stuff and went back to the beach. I “entertained” Nikki with my vocal interpretation of “Sledgehammer” and “Barcelona” while wearing my iPod buds. Very proud of my singing ability!

Back to the room and both in need of lunch. I went to find some rolls and crisps while Nikki had a rest. No luck. Managed to get milk and some crisps but the sandwiches had to come from Costa Coffee next door. Took those back to the room and had lunch on the balcony. Our balcony is quite shaded so the wind isn’t an issue there. Very enjoyable Thursday lunchtime.

Decided we were knackered after our snorkelling expedition so a nap was called for. Dozed on and off until about 16.00. The cleaners were doing elephant training in the room above us so there was quite a bit of crashing and banging. Yelled at the ceiling a few times and it stopped after a while.

Then it was back to the balcony for more coffee and a play with the new translation app on my phone. Ended up translating Welsh to Arabic and as Nikki pointed out there’s not enough phlegm in the world to do that!

Heating in the room was on the blink so the maintenance man is currently here fixing it.

(More later)

Went out at about 19.30 on the hunt for tea. Walked up the Corniche and ended up in Pizza Hut. Had a pizza each - but Nikki’s came with onions on so we sent it back. Quite a few more people in than last time we were here two years ago. This time the TV wasn’t tuned in to the latest on the Arab Spring.

Came back via a half-hearted look for sunglasses - no luck as they were all designer ones. Or certainly designer fakes!

Watched a bit of Analyse This with Robert de Niro and Billy Crystal which gave us a laugh and turned in about 23.00

Friday 1st February 2013

Marsa Alam

Both had about 9 hours sleep which was good. Woke up with the sun coming in at about 08.00. Quick coffee and a shower and then off to breakfast.

Fruit, cereal, rolls, eggs, coffee and juice really hit the mark. Back up to the room to get ready for more snorkelling.

A lot less windy today in my opinion though Nikki disagrees. Went to the end of the pier, got set and dived in. Another fabulous snorkel surrounded by hundreds of very colourful fish. No sign of a turtle. We went a bit further along the reef. Slightly surprised to see a diver below us!

Got out and Nikki wrapped up in her dressing gown. We went back to the beach and had a sit down there for a bit before deciding to relocate to the pool.

Chap got us set up with umbrella and fresh towels. I came back up to the room to get iPods, books and chocolate. I decided to make some coffee and took that back down with me. Very nice. Sat in the sun drinking coffee and watching the world go by.

I went into the pool - Nikki declined. Heated by not boiling hot. Stayed in for about half an hour. Bloomin’ freezing when I got out though as the breeze was acting as an air conditioner. Sat on the sun bed wrapped up in Nikki’s spare towel until I dried!

Both got a bit peckish around 13.30 so came back up to the room for a shower and lunch on the balcony. Stayed out chatting for a while before having a quick nap. They started cleaning the room upstairs again so was woken up by the sound of scraping furniture on marble floor.

Chap came and brought us two fresh dressing gowns and some water before another chap came with my laundry.

Back out on the balcony for coffee and generally sat there until the sun went down. Came in as I’m worried about mosquitos and they tend to really like me and they’re most active at sunset. No bites yet.

Watched some BBC World News and wound myself up about how awful it is. Shortly the discussion will turn to dinner. There’s a possibility of TGI Fridays if they’ve still got mushroom soup on the go.

(More later)

Sadly no mushroom soup so we walked up towards the main square where we discovered a restaurant that had been a Lebanese place when we last came had now turned in to an Italian! Result!

We went in and were the only people there. The waiters made us very welcome and got us sat down. I had Bruschetta and Nikki had tomato soup to start and then we both went with a spaghetti in a four cheese sauce. Absolutely delicious if a little pricey. Nikki had a glass of wine. The owners came over to say hello and we were told that if we fancied something different on a subsequent visit the chef would make it for us. That sounds like a plan for later in the week.

Back to the hotel feeling stuffed and turned in for bed by 22.00

Saturday 2nd February 2013

Marsa Alam

Both had another record breaking sleep and got up about 08.00. Sat on the balcony and discussed our extensive plans. It’s a bit windier today so we’re thinking the pool. 

Down for breakfast - the waiter now has our drinks order memorised so a latte and an Earl Grey tea arrived post haste. This will probably be our last quiet breakfast as they’re expecting a tour group later today.

Back up to the room after breakfast and got ourselves ready for the pool. Secured 2 sunbeds after much debate about where was least windy and got settled. I went off for a snorkel as Nikki did’t fancy the windy conditions.

Not as good as previous days as it was a bit more churned up. Saw loads of fish though as well as a tiny eel. Spent about half an hour in the sea and came back to the pool.

Sat and lazed the morning away and about 13.00 we were hungry so decided to eat at the Rotunda pool-side restaurant. Got settled and the waiter brought our drinks and some bread. Problem was it was now SO windy that things were being blown off the table! Moved to another seat which didn’t really help much. I made up sandwich involving cheese, tomato and onions which they brought along with some chips. Nikki had a grilled vegetable panini again with chips. Last time we were here it was very pleasant sitting in the Rotunda and lunching. Less so this time as the wind made it feel very cold.

Went back down to the pool. I braved it and went in. Slightly heated so gorgeous once I got my belly and shoulders in the water. It’s the coming out that’s the problem. Blood freezing in the wind!

I gave up around 15.00 and came up for a warm shower before going back down to get Nikki. Sat on the balcony and drank coffee before heading out for an early tea.

Thought we’d see what soup TGI’s had again - it was steak and vegetable - but we decided to go in for a look. Nikki noticed that they had nice side orders so we got cheesy mash potato and broccoli in garlic for Nikki while I had potato skins with cheese and a side of chips. After my mostly potato based tea we were ready for bed so headed back to the room.

Watched a bit of the film Contraband on TV and it was lights out not long after 21.30.

Sunday 3rd February 2013

Marsa Alam

A few days ago the pool boy had said that we were much more likely to see turtles if we got in the sea by 07.00. Well this morning we did. Nikki got me out of bed with a coffee and we got suited up before heading for the pier. No-one else around at all.

Took a bit of persuading to get me in the sea but it was totally worth it when I did. The visibility was a lot better than yesterday and it seems the fish are a LOT more active first thing in the morning. We snorkelled along the reef with thousands of fish all around us. We saw hundreds of Zebra Fish - to the extent that we were in danger of crashing into them! No sign of a turtle but we did spot a puffa fish and a couple of small rays.

Got out and came back to the room just as other people were emerging for breakfast. Hot shower and more coffee later we were ready for some food. Felt very virtuous that we’d been for an early swim.

Breakfast was a lot busier with the tour group that arrived yesterday. All Arab but from where we’re not sure. Nice to see the hotel with a bit of a buzz about it.

On our way back from snorkelling this morning we’d booked our sun beds in a sheltered area that was less windy. Headed there and had a relaxing morning. Persuaded Nikki to go in the pool but it was quite a feat of clambering to get there so after our swim we decided to move sun beds to right next to the steps.

I nipped up to the room for some crisps and chocolate for lunch so we munched our way through those. I ordered coffee but the waiter forgot about us. Took 45 mins to get a coffee. Bah!

There’s a chap here who HAS to be CIA. He’s American, in his late 50’s or early 60’s, I heard him say at breakfast that he’d been to Egypt 4 times in the last year and he speak fluent Arabic. Watched him for a while but he neither killed nor forcibly renditioned anyone.

Had another swim in the pool but getting out was very painful. I decided to call it a day around 15.00 and came back up to the room.

After a hot shower I went back down for Nikki while speaking to Stuart on FaceTime. Gave him a tour of the hotel. Back to the room for coffee on the balcony.

I did a couple of voice over jobs with the help of a towel and some pillows as sound-proofing and managed to download a VPN which allows me to access Sky News and BBC iPlayer. I’m thinking of BBC downloads for the flight home!

Talk has already turned to tea and it’s likely to be a pasta dish in Pizza Hut.

(More later)

After  a walk around the Corniche we decided on Pizza Hut and this time went for the salad bar followed by a small individual pizza for me and some sort of spinach wrap for Nikki. We shared some garlic bread and all in all had a very good meal!

Wandered back down and got accosted by one of the shop keepers. We promised we’d go and see him tomorrow night - yeah right!

Back to the hotel and bed!

Monday 4th February 2013

Marsa Alam

Typical Monday morning. Waking up to blazing sunshine and sitting on the balcony enjoying an early morning coffee!

Went down to breakfast around 09.00. It’s got a lot busier in the hotel since the Egyptian party arrived so our usual table wasn’t available. Fruit, chocolate boulders and some cooked food and we were replete.

Back up to the room and time for some serious sitting on the sun beds. But first a snorkel. Got our gear and headed off to the end of the pier. Not as windy today. Got the dive into cold water out of the way and we floated our way down the reef watching the thousands of brightly coloured fish. About half way down I started swimming into fire weed which is a bit uncomfortable so we turned around and headed back to the pier.

Straight back to the sun beds and straight into the pool. Felt lovely after the sea. Stayed in for quite a while just floating around and enjoying the sun.

Back on the sunbeds it was a bit of a fight to stay in the shade. Both of us needed the shade after going a little lobster.

Lunch was had at the pool bar. Nikki had a very nice lentil soup while I got them to make me a goat’s cheese panini which came with some salad and a bowl of chips.

Back on the sun beds for another short while before I got bored and decided to go and shower. Went back down to pick up Nikki who was happily dozing in the sun.

Sat on the balcony and watched the sun set while entering a few travel competitions on Twitter - one for a week in Corsica! It was decided that dinner would be a simple affair so we thought we’d go to Costa for a coffee and a sandwich. Nikki had a nice mushroom quiche while I had a very un-nice toasted cottage cheese sandwich. Made up for it though with some strawberry cheesecake.

Spoke to Mum & Dad and Ann on Skype for a while to catch up on what’s been happening and then decided to head back via a quick walk. Ended up being a lot more than a quick walk.

We walked along the front towards the Crowne Plaza and then decided to go in for a nose. First of all we couldn’t find our way in and ended up in a service area. Saw some other guests so followed them along a different path. Wandered around the whole property having a nose at rooms. It’s more of a family type hotel so there was a sword swallowing show on. We by-passed that and managed to find a lift up to the lobby. Went out of the front door and figured where our hotel was in relation to the CP and made our way back. As we were in exploring mood we nosed around the upstairs business centre of the IC for good measure. And then off to bed!

Monday 4th February 2013

Marsa Alam to Home

It’s heading home day already. How did that happen??

We’d planned our day as our flight wasn’t going until 19.10. Hotel were cool about us checking out at 16.30 and they were sorting our transport to the airport. 

Had breakfast and claimed our sunbeds for the day. I went for a snorkel and followed that by a wallow in the swimming pool. Thoroughly happy.

Had lunch in the pool bar. Both went for the lentil soup. Very nice indeed. Then it was back up to the room at about 14.00 for a quick nap. Both dozed until about 15.00 and then it was time to pack. As we’d brought a small case for pillow on the outward leg, we decided to pack it in one of the main cases and then stuff other things around it. Seemed to work OK.

I went off to reception to settle our bill. They hadn’t charged us for breakfast so our total bill came to about £65 - not bad at all.

Saw our cleaner and gave him 200 EGP as he’s been a total star. Chap came for the cases as arranged at 16.30 and we made our way out. I pulled my back lifting the case off the bed so was a bit worried about that. They’d sorted transport for us so we jumped aboard for the long commute back to the airport. On the way we saw thousands of locusts. They were smashing into the windscreen of the vehicle. Seemed to be everywhere.

Got to the airport after 10 mins and the chaps helped us in with our luggage. Quite a long queue to go through pre-check-in security but someone from Thomson’s grabbed us took us through. Check in was very swift. Had to fill out an exit card and then we were off through passport control and into the departure lounge. It only has two places to eat and both are up some stairs and there’s no lift. I went up to Costa and came back with coffee, cakes and crisps and we sat down to munch our way through them. Were joined by two elderly ladies who were also Special Assistance so we chatted with them for a while. Before we’d even finished our cake, we were being taken to the aircraft.

All of us went on the lift up to the plane and got ourselves settled. We were in 1A and 1B. On the way out someone had booked 1C but on the way back it was thankfully free. This meant we had the middle seat to put the laptop on to watch some films.

Brand new aircraft and not bad at all. Flight was 5’50” and took us over Athens and then up over Venice before the Alps, just north-east of Paris and in to Gatwick. I was dreading the flight - as was Nikki. But having some leg-room and the middle seat free made a huge difference.

Landed at Gatwick just before 23.00 and getting through passport control was a doddle. Picked up our bags and worked out a way that Nikki could push the luggage trolly while I pushed her in a wheelchair. Seemed to work OK as long as the corners weren’t too tight and no one got in our way!

In the car by 23.30. Stopped at BP for petrol, bread and milk and then drove home. A few roadworks on the M25 and M40 but nothing major and we got in at about 01.15. My back was hurting by this point so didn’t take the cases upstairs - just grabbed what we needed and hit the hay.

Another excellent holiday in Egypt. I’d probably go back there again but maybe not for a few years. There’s so much more to see!