Sinai - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:46 PM

Just a few kilometers south of Taba, at the very top of the Gulf of Aqaba and just a few hundred meters from the coast, lies Pharaoh's Island. Surmounted by the imposing crenellated bulk of the restored citadel of Salah ad-Din, Pharaoh's Island is one of the most blatantly picturesque spots in the entire gulf. While the restored fortifications have firmly imposed a medieval character upon the island, the history of Geziret Faroun in actually one of exceptional complexity and interest.

The earliest recorded constructions on the island are those of Hiram, king of Tyre (c.969-936 B.C.), a friend to both David and Solomon. Tyre, an ancient city situated just off the coast of present-day Lebanon, was in Hiram's time one of the most powerful cities of the Mediterranean. Hiram figures prominently in the Bible (see Kings 9-10), where it is related that he supplied much of the cedar and gold for the Temple of Jerusalem. Hiram's interest in Pharaoh's Island, which he knew as Esiongaber, was to further develop trade with Egypt, and he built up the island's fine natural harbour.

About two thousand years later, the Byzantines occupied the island, and they were followed there (in the 12th century) by the Crusaders and then by Salah ad-Din. In 1182, Salah ad-Din rebuilt the Byzantine and Crusader fortifications and further strengthened the island's defences, and it is his "Kasr El-Hadid" that has in large part been restored here.

One little-known episode related to Geziret Faroun is a visit paid to the island by the young T.E. Lawrence, better and later known as "Lawrence of Arabia." While on a survey expedition to the Sinai in 1914, Lawrence asked for, and was refused, permission to visit the island and its ruins, then under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Having failed to secure a boat with which to defy this refusal, Lawrence built for himself a makeshift raft, on which he and his bedouin guide managed to swim out across the bay. Twenty-six at the time, Lawrence appears to have been more enthralled by the sheer adventure of the episode than by the evocative ruins on the island itself.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:47 PM

Ras Mohammed National Park occupies one of the world's most extraordinary settings: a slender, dramatically arid peninsula at the very southernmost tip of the Sinai, rising to a dramatic promontory that looks out over some of the most gloriously rich coral reefs that you will ever see. The Ras Mohammed peninsula marks the nexus of the shallow Gulf of Suez and the deep intercontinental chasm of the Gulf of Aqaba, itself a small portion of the Great Rift Valley that stretches deep into Africa. Declared a park in 1983, Ras Mohammed contains within its modest area an astounding variety of life, ranging from the gazelles of its northern desert area to the brilliant orange coral groupers of its skirting reefs.

The boundaries of Ras Mohammed extend far out into the surrounding waters, and even the most casual of visitors is struck by how much of the park is dominated by the sea. Even the dry land area of the park seems a part of the marine world: in the north, large dunes are interspersed with outcroppings of Miocene limestone in which are embedded an astonishing wealth and variety of marine fossils. In fact, the dramatic promontory that marks the Sinai's southernmost tip belongs in part to the sea, as it is in fact an enormous, fossilized coral reef, left high and dry tens of thousands of years ago.

For many visitors, Ras Mohammed's most stunning scenery is found underwater, in the broad, terraced coral reefs that encircle the peninsula. Fire corals and brilliant sea fans abound here, and among these lush reef corals roams a truly magnificent array of both reef and pelagic fish--over a thousand species in all.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:48 PM

Archaeologists have found that the very earliest known settlers in the Sinai--they arrived about 8,000 years ago--were miners. Drawn by the region's abundant copper and turquoise deposits, these groups slowly worked their way southward, hopping from one deposit to the next. By 3500 BC, the great turquoise veins of Serabit el-Khadem had been discovered.

At the same time, the kingdoms of Egypt became united under its first pharaohs, and these great rulers soon turned their eye eastward. By about 3000 BC the Egyptians had become masters of the Sinai mines, and at Serabit el-Khadem they set up a large and systematic operation. For the next two thousand years, great quantities of turquoise were carved from Serabit el-Khadem, carried down the Wadi Matalla to the garrisoned port at el-Markha (just south of Abu Zenima), and set aboard boats bound for Egypt. For the Egyptians, the brilliant blue-green stone served myriad purposes: scarabs were carved from it, and the bright mineral enamels of powdered turquoise were used to color everything from fine statuettes to bricks.

To mine the turquoise, the Egyptians would hollow out large galleries in the mountains, carving at the entrance to each a representation of the reigning pharaoh--a symbol of the authority of the Egyptian state over the mine and its yield. Although many of the region's pharaonic reliefs were destroyed by a British attempt to re-open the mines in the mid-nineteenth century, the excellent bas relief of Pharaoh Sekhemkhet on the east face of Gebel Maghara survives. Also at Serabit el-Khadem are the ruins of a temple dedicated to Hathor, containing a large number of bas-reliefs and carved steles.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:49 PM

Sharm el-Sheikh is probably the best-known town of the southern Sinai, for the simple reason that it is Sharm el-Sheikh which gave the Red Sea an international reputation as one of the world's most extraordinary diving destinations. And the coral reefs of Ras Mohammed, Tiran, and the Aqaba coast, on which Sharm built its legendary reputation, are as dazzling as ever. Today, however, diving is only part of the attraction here, as many visitors arrive simply to enjoy the sun, to parasail and windsurf and bicycle, or to explore the magical desert landscape of the southern Sinai. Since the mid-1980s, the Sharm el-Sheikh area has come into its own as a world-class resort destination, with the construction of almost forty hotels and resorts.

Of course, such expansion brings with it new problems and concerns--it is the natural beauty of the Sinai that brings so many guests, and it is also the natural beauty of the Sinai that is most endangered by so many visitors. Accordingly, the last several years have witnessed strong efforts by the Sharm el-Sheikh community to protect and to preserve the fragile environment of this region. The creation of Ras Mohammed National Park in 1983 marked the first great step in this effort, and today a full 52% of the Egyptian shoreline on the Gulf of Aqaba is now protected.

Before 1967, Sharm el-Sheikh didn't even appear on most maps, and it was politics rather than diving that first brought the world's attention to this tiny port. Situated right at the approach to the Strait of Tiran, Sharm became famous when Egypt's President Nasser decided to blockade the straits, thus cutting off Israel's access to the Red Sea. The direct result of the blockade was the Arab-Israeli conflict of June 5th, 1967, and Sharm el- Sheikh only began to grow in 1968, under Israeli occupation. Over the ensuing years it gradually began to attract divers, travellers, and resort guests, but its strategic importance is still evident. The town's large southwestern inlet, Sharm el-Sheikh bay, remains a military harbour

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:51 PM

Set beneath the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, Saint Catherine Monastery has been one of the world’s great centers of religious pilgrimage for over fifteen centuries. Within its imposing walls rests a citadel like no other, incredibly rich in important religious and historical structures. Among its treasures is a library of ancient manuscripts and icons second only to the Vatican's itself, and a 6th century church reputed to lie directly on the site of the Burning Bush. Quite simply, the monastery is a defining feature of the Holy Land.

At the northernmost edge of the Gulf of Aqaba lies the small town of Taba, a picturesque beach town that in ancient times was once a stopover on the caravan route to the Fort of Aqaba. In modern times, it is best known as the last piece of land that was returned to Egypt following Israel's occupation of Sinai.

Taba is situated right on the edge of the Israeli border, which can be crossed on foot. The town is a perfect excursion point for visits to the surrounding wonders, such as The Island of the Pharaoh and the Israeli city of Eilat.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:51 PM

For thousands of years the Sinai peninsula has been a major region for religious pilgrimages. To that extent one could say that tourism is nothing new to the area. In the last few decades, however, the shape of tourism has considerably changed as millions have come for the spectacular dive sites that dot the region. Around the diving culture, a whole new industry has flourished to meet the growing demands of tourists, divers and non-divers alike.

Now when you visit the Sinai you have a choice from a variety of activities. In addition to watersports like swimming, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, paddleboating, jetskiing, and fishing, numerous on-land activities have become available. You can arrange to take a safari around the marvelous geographical and ecological features of the region. Birders will be particularly pleased by the variety and uniqueness of the endemic species. As well, many of the local hotels and sports centers host games and sports, such as aerobics, bowling, tennis, golf, and bicycling. And finally, a not-to-be-missed opportunity in the Sinai are the tours on horseback and camelback.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:54 PM

Ever since Jacques Cousteau explored its waters four decades ago, the Red Sea has attracted and amazed divers from all around the world. Nowhere are there coral walls and gardens more brilliantly abundant, waters more crystalline, or underwater life more varied and plentiful.

Along the southern and eastern shores of the Sinai astounding sites are scattered like pearls for hundred of miles, from the celebrated walls and holes north of Dahab to the truly unmatched splendour of Ras Mohammed's lush underwater beds.

SHARK REEF & YOLANDA REEF

Two emerging reefs which rise from a sandy seabed some 20-30 meters deep are the most distinctive features of this splendid dive site, set a few hundred meters from the coast, right in line with the easternmost tip of the Hidden Bay, where it is possible to admire a great many species of pelagic fish. Powerful currents, a chance of encountering sharks here.

SHARK OBSERVATORY

Directly beneath the observation platform known as Shark Observatory, and accessible by land. Magnificent coral reef that plunges down to depths of up to ninety meters, with a great many species of pelagic fish. A chance of encountering sharks.

ANEMONE CITY

Across from Shark Reef, an interesting reef, about 120m from shore, first slopes gently, then drops away with a wall from which huge corals extend, waving with the currents. The corals are Dendronephtya sp. The site owes its name to the rich and remarkable abundance of sea anemones of the species Radianthus. There are plenty of gorgonians as well. Typical reef fish also found in considerable numbers.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:55 PM

BLUE HOLE There are few dive sites in Sinai more spectacular - or more dangerous - than Blue Hole. This circular, 203-foot drop off lies a few miles north of Dahab, and it looks exactly like its name. The dark hole rests in the shallows of a bright blue reef shelf, and the life clinging the hole's rim is unusually dense - even for the Red Sea. Corals, fans, eels and dozens of fish species flourish here, and the space-like depths of the hole provides a magnificent backdrop. It is best, however, not to let the Blue Hole's dark beauty lure you too far down: more than a few people have gone in and never come back, due to nitrogen narcosis.

PagodaSwan · 11-25-2005, 02:57 PM

Health Tips

Always remember to bring plenty of sun screen and protective clothing--the sun is intense in Sinai. Although temperatures can reach 100° F during the day, at night the desert turns cool, even freezing, so some warm clothing is also necessary. Finally, carrying bottled water is indispensable. Tap water outside the Sharm el-Sheikh area is largely undrinkable, and the arid, hot environment can dehydrate you very quickly.

Reef Safety

Avoid walking on the coral, and wear shoes whenever you enter the water to protect your feet. Also beware of stinging fish like the Stonefish and Scorpionfish (both stony in appearance and occasionally hard to distinguish from underwater rocks), not to mention the sometimes lethal dorsal fin of the zebra-striped Lionfish. Larger predators, such as sharks and barracudas, will generally leave you alone if you leave them alone. On sighting one, use caution and move slowly toward the coral or boat.

Sharm el-Sheikh Hospital Tel: 600425
Sharm el-Sheikh Pharmacy Tel:600388/600779

Transportation: Getting There

The Sinai can be reached by air, bus or car. EgyptAir flies to the peninsula from Cairo and Luxor (Airport: 601056-8; Sharm el-Sheikh Mövenpick Hotel Jolie Ville: 600314/600100). The National Bus Service operates daily between most of the major towns on the peninsula. Since some buses leave only once a day, check schedules. It's advisable to book in advance for the more frequently travelled passages, such as between Sharm and Cairo (tel: 699250). A Super Jet Bus Service also operates daily at 11 pm between Sharm and Cairo (tel: 601622). Safaris and car travel can be arranged through hotels and dive centers. If you are coming by bus from Israel, remember that you will need a visa to enter Egypt.

Getting Around Most travel in Sinai keeps to the coastal roads, although a few paved roads link the major settlements of the interior. Most sites can be reached by bus from the resort centers of the south. Expect to pay car or truck drivers more for any travel in the lower peninsula; if you are driving yourself, remember that foreigners are forbidden to leave the main roads. There is regular ferry service between Nuweiba and Aqaba and between Hurghada and Sharm el-Moya (Sharm el-Sheikh's southern harbour). A tuftuf (open-sided bus) operated by the local council runs every half-hour between Na'ama Bay and Sharm el-Moya from 6:30am to midnight (cost: LE 1).