THERE'S an estuary down the road from my house.
Whenever the weather is foul - high winds, lashing rain and sub zero temperatures - a loyal contingent of watersports enthusiasts turn out to make the most of the elements.
I don't get the attraction.
As I look from my hotel balcony out to the Red Sea, there is a large bunch of similar-minded hobbyists. But there's is a difference to the coast off the Irish Sea. Crank up the temperature about 30 degrees as you enjoy the refreshing breeze and the absence of rain.
I get that.
As do the divers, snorkelers, kite-surfers, paddle surfers, swimmers et al .
I am staying in +El Gouna, Red Sea - a safe and secure gated town carved into the Egyptian desert for tourism.
As well as the all-year-round hot weather, divers and snorkelers are attracted by the clear waters and the beautiful array of sea creatures.
Take a six-hour catamaran trip taking in two reefs and see them for yourself. Even a non-swimmer like me was able to observe the marvellous spectacle as I clung to the ladder at the back of the boat and plunged - slightly - into the deep. The cruise was a wonderful way to relax. There you are in the middle of the Red Sea, bathing in the heat listening to Bryan Adams' Everything I Do. One of those memorable perfect moments. There is also a sunset cruise with pink champagne served.You can also get a glimpse of the sealife by walking the 460-metre jetty to Zaytouna Island.
Back nearer the shore I try out the latest fitness craze of paddle surfing. You can feel the movement in your hips as you try to balance the surf in harmony with the waves. Well I did for a few seconds at least. You can see the You Tube clip, currently going viral, for what happened next.
Kitesurfers love the favourable 'in-line' wind conditions. The five-star Moevenpick Hotel has its own kite-surfing station. There are several other launchpads at the resort. The smaller, cheaper hotels are favourites with fans who simply dump their gear and take off. There are also lessons and equipment to hire.
Nine-times kitesurfing world champion +Kristin Boese is a big fan of +El Gouna, Red Sea, praising 'incredible conditions as well as a whole lot of other fun and relaxing things to do'.
There are 17 hotels and hundreds of bars and restaurants. But you can add to that a world-class hospital, university, schools, crafts market, and, yes, an Irish pub in the downtown area.
Just like many other countries, Egypt can grab the global headlines for the wrong reasons.
But this is a vast country and, whatever is going on elsewhere, this oasis feels like a million miles away.
Actresses Kate Winslet, Vanessa Williams and supermodel Naomi Campbell have graced the 20-year-old resort. The top models of the world coronation ceremony takes place this month (March).
There is a peaceful calm here that you wouldn't find in urban Egypt. Crime is barely existent and traders are banned from harassing tourists.
I am staying at the couples-only Three Corners Ocean View hotel where you can get a room all-inclusive from €50 a night per person. As the name suggests the hotel is at the heart of the resort where you can have breakfast looking out to sea or savour the stunning sunsets with a nightcap.
And, if you want to take the whole family, try the Three Corners Rihana (from around €45 each per night) with its kids club and playground.
There are also smaller hotels like the Mosaique and Fanadir - with delightful Arabian architecture including balconies and domes. The Ali Pache is also home to the Tandoor Indian restaurant where chef Vijay will cook to order. I loved his spicy spin on lamb rogan.
El Gouna hotels have a 'dine around' scheme where all-inclusive guests can switch eating venues to other hotels or restaurants. You'll have to pay a little more if you move up to a 5-star venue like the Moevenpick, where I sampled fresh lobster with a local chardonnay as I looked out on the moonlit sea. Also in that hotel category is the Sheraton spread across nine islands
The resort is a haven for golfers with a 18-hole course sitting around the +Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts which boasts the largest rooms in El Gouna. There is also a driving range with distance targets in the water - just like on Wii Sports.
The Egyptian pound is worth NINE in sterling so my delicious lunch of sea bass and salad costs less than €2. You could easily pay at least ten times more for a dish.
Transport is also cheap. A multi-coloured shuttle bus will set you back 50c a day or €2 for the week. You can also splash out on an Indian-style toc toc which will take you anywhere for €5 per person.
I took the free tour on the lagoon boats - a great way to inspect the resort. We were immediately dwarfed by the motor cruiser floating palaces owned by Egyptian tycoons. We also passed Love Island - a gift from a wealthy Italian to his wife. Not so well-off Romeos can serenade their loved ones in a small wooden boat with champagne and piped music.
And if you fancy going a bit more native, there is a Bedouin night out in the desert. Sitting on the floor under the tent comfortably? You feast on spit roast lamb as the entertainment before you includes belly dancing and men who spin in dazzling coloured robes.
El Gouna is the definition of chillaxing. You can smoke from a hookah pipe and drink a beer on the beach at Moods as you watch the boats and the swimmers - or even write a travel article, as I am now.
You might think that El Gouna has some unusually tall palm trees. They are actually camouflaged mobile phone masts.
A brilliant way to protect this part of paradise from the realities of the modern, hi-tech world.
GETTING THERE:
From UK and Ireland:
Fly +EGYPTAIR from Heathrow to Cairo then Cairo to Hurghada. +easyJet flies Monday, Friday and Sunday in April from Gatwick to Hurghada. Packages available with +Thomas Cook UK and +Thomson.
From Germany:
+EGYPTAIR and +Lufthansa Group fly from Munich to Hurghada
Visit:
El Gouna
Three Corners Ocean View
Three Corners Rihana Resort
No comments:
Post a Comment