Port Ghalib 2015

May 14th - Car Trouble

It's 7 in the morning and we are ready to go. Get the car, Petra says, so we can load in the luggage. Since she has her own little car mine is parked outside. And since she loves driving that new little car mine is mainly parked. Too often it showed. As I tried to start my car I hardly heard a click. Probalby the battery is gone (9 years and 170k km ... ). Even pushing it to jump start the car didn't work.

So, the little car will be taking us to Schiphol this time. Despite it's size (Fiat 500) the huge luggage fits easily. So with just a bit of delay we're on our way. My being the co-driver for the first time in many years :-)

Arke (TUI) check in and flight were good. In no time we arrive in Marsa Alam. A tiny transfer (Marina Lodge is 1st stop) and there we are. "Welcome back". Room 6323 has been reserved for us, exactly as we requested. Just pasted the room we had before, with an open bath room, a larger balcony and a better view. Another improvement is the Wifi strenght. This time I had to pay for it (495 EGP for the whole stay, 4 connections) as they are not longer an Intercontinental, and hence my IHG Gold membership is worthless this time around.

May 15th - Check in and Relax

First day: a long sleep in. Easy, relaxed and long breakfast. Slowly towards the diving shop. Jörgen immediately jumps up when he sees us. "Welcome back". Tomorrow at 10 we'll be picked up to do a House Reef dive. Now some more relaxing, swimming, lunching, dinning ... .
May 16th - Good to be back

Yep, it sounds strange, but little to report. And to be honest, that is the best part. This is our 4th time in Port Ghalib, 3rd time The Palace. And despite they aren't a Intercontinental anymore (Red Sea Resort now), all is as it was. And that is - as before - perfect. So nothing to complaint and hence little to report.

Jos: 62 [min] / 20.4 [m] | Petra: 62 [min] / 19.5 [m]

Same story for the Extra Divers dive shop. We found it as we left it. Many familiar, friendly, faces. A very nice 1st diving day.

May 17th - Again, and again, and again

When checking my dive log from last visit I see we only did 2 boat dive days, all other days we did the - O so beautiful - House Reef. And I wouldn't be surprised if we are going to repeat that schedule this holiday. Not because of the wind due to which the boat dives may be not too interesting ("too much wind" and than anchor around the in Marsa Imbarrak the whole day). Also not because the shore dives with the minivan is such a hassle (gather a certain time, always someone late, 1 hour in the minivan, gearing up in the hot sun). No we do all that with pleasure. No. Just because the House Reef is such a beautiful and magical place.

Jos: 65 [min] / 25.0 [m] | Petra: 65 [min] / 22.6 [m]

And always full of surprises. Today no big game, but the Remora that followed us all dive makes you think: "who did he loose?". The Dugong, a Big Turtle, .. ? It's all around. Even Dolphins. Some days you're lucky and see they. Other days it's the excitement of knowing you might. And than the reef itself with all its tiny inhabitants. It will make you come back again and again. Tomorrow ... I think yes.

May 18th - Night Dive

I wanted to try yesterday, but I was asking too late for Extra Divers to arrange the needed permit (arranged in El Queisir). So tomorrow (being today) it would be. Arriving at the dive shop I understand I am the only one. Okay. "Your guide is Ghalid". "You know him?". He impersonates a very big guy. "Hulk". Sure I know him.

Jos: 65 [min] / 23.9 [m] | Petra: 65 [min] / 22.4 [m]

Jos: 51 [min] / 18.9 [m]

The guide, Ghalid, was very nice and calm. A very pleasant night dive. I need to do this more often!

May 19th - Boat Dive Day

To my big surprise Petra had entered us on the boat dive list for today. She had been insisting for days that she didn't want to do any boat dives. Even not tomorrow (Elphinestone). The boat was full, but not too full. Dive spot is Marsa Shouni. Only two other boats around so quite okay.

Jos: 63 [min] / 27.4 [m] | Petra: 63 [min] / 25.3 [m]

Jos: 61 [min] / 20.4 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 19.3 [m]

The dives were nice as was the reef. But the House Reef is better. If you have a Dugong encounter here I can understand it is a "Yippie ai yee"day, but without it is just okay.

May 20th - Elphinestone

As every other year we also booked a trip to this famous dive spot this year. As a nice difference to last year the sea is calm and smooth this time. Not very busy. Only 4 or 5 other boats around, we have seen that much different. Also the drop from the boat was - 1st time ever (4th time here) - spot on. The reef is as beautiful as I remembered it. No (HH) Sharks on the 1st dive (North Plateau). Half way the 2nd dive (South Plateau) a WTR Shark cruises just below us.

Jos: 56 [min] / 32.4 [m] | Petra: 56 [min] / 31.1 [m]

Jos: 54 [min] / 28.5 [m] | Petra: 56 [min] / 26.8 [m]

A pod of Dolpins plays in the bow wave on our return. What a nice day!

May 21st - Scootering

Today we want to do a Scooter Dive. We had arranged it yesterday with Mostafa, our instructor from last year. When we build up and checked the scooters, mine wasn't working. After some trying and checking for the issue I saw the wire to the battery was loose (broken out of the connector). Mostafa fixed the issue and off we went.
Fish Market and back was the plan. After half an hour we turned, well passed the last (Crown Plazza / Siva) jetty. I noticed I was slowing down. Little later I wasn't moving at all anymore. Dead Scooter. Petra had to tow me back. At he Interconti Jetty we decided to get out. No way we could still reach Fish Market on one Scooter, towing 2 divers and another Scooter! So a dive that started as a fun dive ended in a bit of a disaster. Pity.

Jos: 57 [min] / 20.4 [m] | Petra: 58 [min] / 19.4 [m]

"Oh no" she is back. Seldom have I seen/heard such a bad singer for live entertainment .. .

May 22nd - Yep ....

A new day a new dive (site)? No! The same dive again, and that was a good choice. We enter at CP/Siva which was not so easy due to the waves (yes, quite a wind today). From there slowly 'back' to the IC Jetty. It seems the current has turned? For sure there is quite a surge, so this time we really need to swim a bit. Half way Petra sees a nice big Mangrove Stingray. He's quite shy and swims away. Visibility worsens during the dive.

Jos: 61 [min] / 25.7 [m] | Petra: 61 [min] / 23.2 [m]

Not sure if it was the wind, or the many Safari Boats leaving the harbour last night ... and they stir up a lot of sand. Anyway, the closer to the harbour the worse the viz. Glad we didn't do our 1st plan: IC -> IC. That would have been a bad dive.

Petra isn't feeling too well, so no more dives today. Just relaxing.

May 23rd - Time to Go

But not before ... yes, another last time on the House Reef. We both had a bit of a funky stomach (that had been long time ago .. ) but insisted to do another - last one for this holiday. But not too late as we fly at 11:10 o'clock tomorrow, so we need to get in early. It is again a beautiful dive, as every dive on the House Reef. Bye bye colorful fish, until next time!

Jos: 65 [min] / 24.4 [m] | Petra: 64 [min] / 22.1 [m]

Lunch - Relax - Pay Extra Divers - Dinner - Pack - Sleep.

May 24th - Home

Our holiday plan, from an efficient use of time or value for many point of view, was a bad plan. Arriving late, leaving early. Often flights out are late, giving you an almost full day at the pool or beach (like we had last time). But to honest, this is better. In stead of arriving home in the morning - very tired after a night without sleep in a plane - we now arrive home in the early evening, relaxed and rested. Totally perfect, like this holiday.

Can't wait to go back ... again.


Link to all pictures ... 

Port Ghalib 2014

June 5th - Dancing allowed

Yes. Holidays have started! A hug for our two pats and off we go. Destination Brussels Airport. Stuck in traffic the last 10 km, but still well in time. Too early actually, we need to wait another hour before we can check in. The ground stewardess mentions our hand carry luggage is actually too heavy (13 kg where 8 kg is allowed), but puts the "cabin luggage allowed" strap around it with a big smile. No complaints there.

Oh, no ice in the plane to cool my medication. "And that's not all you are going to miss, this will not be a nice flight for you guy .... neither for us", the stewardess says. The local catering in Brussels is on e strike, so no service. Luckily one of the crew has managed to arrange a bit of dry ice, so I can keep my medication cooled.

It seems they have also managed to arrange water, cafe, thee and a sandwich or waffle outside the normal catering channels. I must say, we have seldom been spoiled like this on a low cost flight!

At the airport the car of the Inter Continental is already waiting for us. "Welcome to your second home".

O? Life music during dinner. Luckily the guy really can sing, and to our surprise he manages to get quite some people to leave their chairs and dance on the terraces. A new experience for us here in Port Ghalib. We enjoyed our first evening a lot (despite the two Dire Strait songs).

A good start! Time to sleep.

// Room 6319, same as last time. Let's ask for 6320 upto 6323 next time //

June 6th - Checking in and having a lazy day

First day is always a lazy day. Sleep in late and a long breakfast. Time to explore. Emperor Divers is on the beach according reception (the IC is promoting them lately). Hmmm, is that all? O, they are also around the corner in the former water sports center. Nah, that's not what we are looking for. Better go to our old friends at Extra Divers. On our way there we try to get some cash from the ATM, which doesn't work?! After having checked in (tomorrow at 10:15 we will have our 1st dive) we try another ATM. Shit, no success either. To our surprise there is an ATM in the hotel as well, but also here no luck.

Aha. Our bank has "of course", without asking nor announcing, blocked all regions, except Europe. So glad we took our login key with us, so I can adjust the settings. And yes ... cash from the ATM! Quickly to the small shop to buy some bottles of water, and than it is already time for lunch. Gnocchi for Petra, Fish & Chips for me. Yummy.

Much later that day, at diner time, we seem to arrive a bit late - or the hotel is really full, as all outside tables are taken. We have time, and a bit later we are escorted to our table. We order a nice Egyptian white wine which tastes very good (Obilisque or so is the brand).

// Every day a Dutch News Paper (a copy of all headlines and main stories), free internet (normally quite expensive), late check out and a free special dinner. Nothing wrong with being an IHG Gold member :-) //

June 7th - House Reef

Today our first dive. At 10:15 we are picked up, very punctual. Of course we have to say 'hi' to all staff we already met before before we set-up our gear. The see is a bit rough today (quite some wind, hence also some waves) so we decide to dive from Crown Plazza (the neighbors) to the Inter Conti jetty. The last one is slightly inside the harbor entrance and hence has lot less waves, making it a lot easier to exit. A lovely dive it is. We see two turtles, one is huge. We're not quite sure what type it is. As always in a first dive our air consumption is quite high. Let's see if we can do better tomorrow,

Jos: 57 [min] / 26.3 [m] | Petra: 57 [min] / 25.6 [m]

After another delicious lunch at the pool bar we run into "Guest Relations". Are we interested in a Lebanese Dinner tonight? We are Half Board so there is a discount for us. No idea. We wonder when the 'Special Dinner' will be arranged. "O. Than tonight is free for you". The complementary IHG Gold dinner appears to be every Tuesday and Saturday. We decide to try it tonight.

The Lebanese Dinner was very good .... and by far too much for us. We ordered less the we were allowed to, and already had no room what so ever for desert. We enjoyed it a lot and really liked this gesture from the hotel.

June 8th - 400

A lovely and quiet Sunday. As we run out of air quite quick yesterday, and hence got a little nervous, we decided to re-do the same dive. Again a beautiful dive. No turtles this time, maybe we stayed too deep. This was dive number 400 for both of us .... yes, a real buddy team!

Jos: 61 [min] / 21.3 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 20.5 [m]

After the dice we sign in for Elphinstone (Wednesday) and arrange a Scooter Course for tomorrow. The rest of the day we spend doing little to nothing, as it should ... this is a holiday.

June 9th - Scooter

We had already agreed before the holidays, we want to have our Scooter License! Today was the day to complete at least one of the mandatory two dives. But first, filling out forms, theory lesson and de- and assembling the scooter. From there we dive Fish Market to CP and back. During the first part of the dive the visibility is quit bad, as quite some boats left the harbor not too long ago, but further on the visibility picked up to become clear as what you expect in Egypt. Time to enjoy the turtles and moray eels, and and and.

Jos: 57 [min] / 21.0 [m] | Petra: 57 [min] / 20.7 [m]

Just before we left we already decided to also do the second dive today. CP → North → IC. And what a dive it was. Crystal clear and as bonus ... two dolphins passing by!! Little later ... two eagle rays! Our guide/instructor (Mostafa) was also very exited and asked for a copy of the photo's and video's of this memorable dive.

And of course ... we passed and got our certification. Hurrah.

Jos: 59 [min] / 27.5 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 21.6 [m]

// Funny, all "extra's" were between the IC and CP Jetties. Not really a reason to do different sites than the House Reef. Besides a shark on Elphinestone and a Dugong on Marsa Imbarak (around the corner) than //

June 10th - Lazy

No idea why, but I seem to be unable to wake up today. It is 8 o'clock, so were already sleeping about 10 hours, and still I can't get to open my eyes. Petra, who woke up at 6 and thinks she just dozed off for 10 minutes, doesn't understand what I am talking about. Until she discovers it's already 8. Okay, better do a slow start today than. Breakfast. Pick up our stuff and off to the dive shop. 

First a picture for our new license. And than ... another house reef. Why not. It is soo beautiful, at our door step and full of surprises. Twenty minutes in our dive I hear Petra banging her tank banger, I look around. And yes, they are back. The two dolphins swim by again. To quick to take a picture, but still. We try to swim a little faster to enjoy them a little longer, but run out of breath. Back to the reef to catch our breath and again enjoy the small stuff. Beautiful beautiful beautiful.

Jos: 63 [min] / 25.4 [m] | Petra: 61 [min] / 19.6 [m]

June 11th - Elphinstone

6:20 boy that's early. Shower, breakfast and .. off to the dive shop. Today Elphinstone, which is a 2 hours sail, so we need to be at 7:30 at the dive shop. Fred, the only other diver on the list at our dive shop is already on the boat. And a Swiss couple that also stays at the IC. Looking at the number of tanks set-up on the boat we must be with about 15 divers today.

The first dive is dramatic. Or we have been dropped totally at the wrong spot. Or the current had been under estimated. Result: we lost the reef. After hanging 15 minutes in the water, the dingy picks us up. While I am trying not to get seasick we return to the reef, where we are dropped again. So half an hour later than planned we are at 30 meters deep on the North Plateau. Staring in the blue to see a shark. The intend / plan was to see a Hammer Head. But really, any shark would do. It appears not to be our lucky day. No sharks to see today.

There is quite some current, so we hide behind the reef to go to the South Plateau. Arriving there, to our surprise, Fred is already surfacing. Thirty minutes in the dive he is obviously already out of air. The guide signs he wants to surface. I wish him the best of luck with Fred and signal him that we will continue as a buddy team. We slowly return towards the Northern Plateau. Just as we want to start our safety stop I see a Hammer Head swimming in our direction. We descent to have a better look. What a beautiful shark. And what a lucky dive it ends up to be, despite the bad start.

// Unfortunately me and my camera didn't see eye to eye when the hammer head passed. The shark was so close and I thought I had it on video so beautifully. But I had pushed the wrong button, and so there was only the approaching and leaving part on video. The beautiful 'middle' part wasn't captured. At lest not on camera, the brain has a great movie! //

Jos: 56 [min] / 30.9 [m] | Petra: 55 [min] / 28.7 [m]

The second dive we start from the dingy. Nice and slowly drifting passed this beautiful reef. After half an hour we are at the end of the reef. We peep around the corner, but at that side the current is way too strong. As the dive plan was to return to the boat ourselves, we simply and slowly, return the same reef side, swimming against the current. Here and there we stop and hang on the reef. At that time the Swiss guy has finished his air. He leaves for his safety stop. She stays and teams up with us until the end of our dive. We start our Safety Stop under the boat, but at the end of the Safety Stop the current had pushed us quite a bit away from the boat, so we had to swim quite a distance against the current to catch the line that was hanging from the boat. From there it was easy to pull ourselves back towards to boat and climb on.

Jos: 59 [min] / 23.5 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 25.0 [m]

"Beep beep beep" The Captain spotted Dolphins. They are gone before I see them. "Beep beep beep" ... the boat next to us is honking its horn as well, as they also see the dolphins. They return and four dolphins ride our bow wave and jump up effortlessly. A big black spot in the water. A huge turtle. "Dugong dugong"... no. Yes .... the green-yellow spot surfaces to breath. It is a big Dugong. And all that just outside Marsa Imbarak. Our destination for tomorrow. Maybe we are lucky .... again.

// Fred is from Roosendaal //

June 12th - Private Yacht

I expected, as we had seen it was only the two of signing up these Day Boat Dives, the dives to have been cancelled. But no, we go with the two of us. "Private Tour" Marc, the shop owner, cried when we left the harbor,

The plan was Marsa Imbarak (south) followed by Korafi (north). Our guide, Tobi, tells the captain he is going in the wrong direction when he turns north when he leaves the harbor. He should go south! The captain explains that the wind will pick up this afternoon making it impossible to go there than. Marsa Imbarak is wel protected, so we can go there any time. Okay. The captain makes the final decision on this, so Korafi first it is.

Jos: 64 [min] / 30.9 [m] | Petra: 63 [min] / 29.9 [m]

Korafi is a very nice dive site, just north of the house reef. After we finished the dive we immediately sail to Marsa Imbarak. As our guide is not joining us (we didn't book a guide) there are 2 tanks extra. So we could make a third dive .. . To keep that option open we do our second dive before lunch. As we don't see screaming snorkelers in the water, which normally locate something exiting as a Dugong, we decide to skip the boring sea grass and head for the reef. Quite some sand in the water, so average visibility, when we start. But that improves as we get further in our dive, making the reef more and more beautiful. On the other hand it is getting more busy above us. Man, what a noise! despite some discussion on which direction to go we find our boat quite easily.

Jos: 54 [min] / 18.6 [m] | Petra: 54 [min] / 17.4 [m]

Ooh .. my God. There are already ten (!) boats in the bay. And there are more coming. After lunch we decide to call it a day, and skip on our - optional - third dive. There are fourteen boats in the bay now, and number fifteen is approaching. Marsa Imbarak is both a know place to 'hide' on a windy day, so on a day like this many day boats go there as there are little other options, as also the place to hang on the start and end day for many live aboards. A beautiful bay, with - if your lucky - so much to see. But to day it's not that lucky day, and it is way too busy.

Time to say goodbye to our Private Yacht, it was a very nice gesture form Extra Divers!

// Tonight: Cocktail Party //

June 13th - House Reef

Time flies when your having fun ... today is already our last diving day. After a chat with Mostafa, our scooter guide, we decide to do CP → North → CP. Again a very nice dive. Not for Petra, her goggles keep fogging up the last half of the dive. Back at the dive shop they advise us to use plain dish washing soap.

Jos: 61 [min] / 24.1 [m] | Petra: 61 [min] / 23.2 [m]

No, this can't be the last dive with Petra not really being able to enjoy it. So we do another last dive in the afternoon. Man, how incredibly beautiful this house reef is! I could simply lay on my belly in the sand for an hour and just look around and enjoy. Maybe I should really do that on a next visit, because it is clear that we will be back.

Jos: 63 [min] / 27.8 [m] | Petra: 63 [min] / 25.3 [m]

// Very confusing. The air carrier website says departure 19:50, ticket says 18:50. After making a few calls with our travel agent and reception calling the airport it is confirmed: departure is 18:50, as the ticket says [check out at 14:00, taxi at 17:15]. This happens when you fly with a Belgian company. The clock will be adjusted in Egypt for Ramadan, which starts 3 weeks from now. The Belgian air carrier already adjusted their website now .... //

June 14th - All good things come to an end

In the middle of the night the ringtone of a text message wakes us up. T-Mobile finally discovered we're in Egypt. Little later another one. The Netherlands had beaten Spain, the reigning World Champion, 5 to 1, of course we had to know that as well! So we watch the beautiful sun rise and sleep a little more.

It's our last day, so we take our time for breakfast. It's delicious. Next stop is the dive shop: paying the bill, cleaning up our stuff and saying goodbye to the Extra Divers team. Than back to the hotel, for a day of relaxing. First to - and in - the pool. At 13:15 it's time to go to the room and pack all our stuff. At 14:00 we need to leave the room. To reception to pay the bill. And than to the Pool Bar for a final lunch. Fish & Chips with a cool beer for me and Rosemary Chicken and a Rose for Petra.

The rest of the afternoon passes and at 17:15 it is time to go. The private car with driver is waiting for us. About ten minutes later we are at the airport. After "Verona" has left the check in goes quickly and smoothly. Until .... DELAY 19:50 → 21:00 .... it's going to be a long night.

Port Ghalib - Longimanus

Cross Mount - November 27th

The first thing to do when going on holiday is, as always, bringing our cats - Maja & Loeki - to their holiday address. As there regular stay is closed the month of November they now go to Cat Hotel "Cross Mount". The hotel looks quite and peaceful and our cats are at easy immediately.

All set to go to the "Schiphol" Hotel (Mercure) we booked to stay tonight, due to the early departure of the flight.

The room is good, so we can have a good night sleep. The next morning we have to catch the first shuttle at 6 o'clock.

Arke Fly - November 28th

It takes the shuttle only 5 min's to get us to the Terminal building, another 5 min's and it is our turn to check in - which is very smooth. To our surprise the diving luggage is free of charge.

The pre-ordered breakfasts taste okay. After a quick flight of 5 hrs we land at Marsa Alam International Airport, Egypt. The first holiday "stress" is as every year the Visa payments. A couple bought the Visa themselves, and not through the travel agent. They save themselves 9 Euro's, but create a lot af stress at the local staff, and obvisouly doesn't give them a stress free start of the holiday!

The hotel - The InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib - is just few minutes drive from the Airport. We at first want to change rooms (due to a different bathroom), but quickly decide to stay in the initial offered room. The unpacking can begin. Petra seems to have forgotten to pack some items. Not nice, but little we can do about that now.

Dinner was very good, and to our surprise out side. As we didn't expected to still be able to dine outside so late in the year, we didn't pack anything warmer to wear.

Tomorrow we will have our first dive.

1st Dive - November 29th

After a long sleep and a brilliant breakfast we headed for the dive shop. "We are in your agenda" "Jos & Petra, yes you are". Checking in is quick and smooth. The 1st dive is going to be House Reef: InterContinental Jetty > CrownePlaza Jetty. A very nice and relaxed dive, as expected (and hoped) just with the two of us! No mask and buddy breathing hassle.

Lunch was jummy: Fish & Chips for me, Penne & Shrimp for Petra. This is how all holidays should be ... . This place is really good :-)

Jos: 61 [min] / 22.3 [m] | Petra: 61 [min / 20.6 [m]

No Dennis, no Snoet - November 30th

Petra wakes up not feeling well. Unfortunately she will have to skip this dive. She took 2 paracetamol and back to bed. So I am off to Marsa Abu Dabab by myself.

We are just a small group  Belgian couple, a German and a Dutch guy. I join the the last two with the guide. After 55 min's of staring at sand and sea grass we call it a day. As expected we saw the big Green Turtles and a Guitar Ray, but no Dugong. Also the Belgian couple wasn't lucky ... seems no Dugong today.

In de bus back to the hotel I sit next to the Belgian couple. They have been to Egypt now 22 times (!) and El Gouna is there favorite. Dolphins  dolphins  dolphins and with some luck a Leopard shark. They also had seen a Tiger Shark in Sharm a few years ago. Always nice to learn about other peoples adventures.

Jos: 55 [min] / 6.5 [m] | Petra: No Dive

PS: Dennis is the nickname of the local Dugong, Snoet is Petra's nickname.

House Reef - December 1st

Today a slow starting day with long breakfast before going to the dive shop. The plan is to do the House Reef. What part we haven't decided yet. At the dive shop we have a little chat with Kimo, one of guides we dived with last year. He advises us to do Crowne Plaza > Crowne Plaza. And so we do. They are out of Nitrox today (strange, maybe we should have announced our dive yesterday?), so take tank with regular air.

The House Reef is brilliant. We may not encounter any "special fish", but this house reef is soo beautiful, you can stay here for hours and hours and still enjoy it! I am sure we'll do another one.

Diving on regular air needs some attention. It has been a long time that we got so close to our none deco-time on regular dive .... being the 1st dive!

Jos: 63 [min] / 27.5 [m] | Petra: 62 [min] / 25.9 [m]

Lunch was again very good, but doesn't fall well for me. I have a strange tummy feeling all afternoon. Even at dinner it is still there. Hopefully I will be okay tomorrow as we booked to go to Elphinestone.

Weeronline is predicting a 10, and no wind. Hopefully the forecast is correct.

Longimanus - December 2nd

Yesterdays tummy ache didin't disappear, but light enough to give it a go. To our big surprise the boat is quite empty, only 9 divers (incl. us). Is there still a bus full coming from El Quseir? ..... No, we are leaving to Elphinestone! 

About 2 hrs later we are at the famous reef. We are hardly in the water when we see our first Longimanus (Oceanic White Tip Shark)! Having 360 logged dives each, and being at Elphinestone the 5th time, we now finally have the privilege to see it!! As current turns on us half way the dive, we drift back to the boat. Another 2 are cruising the area, giving us the opportunity to have a second, and better, look.

Back on the boat Petra learns these are actually very dangerous sharks (4th, after Great White, Tiger and Bull Shark). Oeps. maybe next time she will swim a little less fast towards them ..... (I doubt that).

Jos: 54 [min] / 29.0 [m] | Petra: 54 [min] / 25.3 [m]

The 2nd dive is much more relaxed as the, quite chaotic, 1st dive. We are dropped by the dingy and nice drift around the most beautiful reef of Egypt.

The dingy picks us up again and brings us back to the boat. Time for lunch. Strange ... only us two and one other diver ordered lunch?? As always, these boat lunches, after having done 2 dives, taste great.

Jos: 59 [min] / 27.1 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 23.8 [m]

The end of the fun part! The wind picks up and we have to return against the wind. Petra immediately gets seasick. The crew takes care of her very well - thanks guys!

Despite of the good care Petra concludes "never again on a boat!"*

The rest of the trip back is long and cold, and cold and long. Finally, back in Port Ghalib. Unfortunately my tummy picks up where it left this morning, and I have no appetite.

A brilliant day of diving ends a little in minor.

* Hardly 3 weeks home we booked to go back. Petra is confident we will go back to Elphinestone ... a few pictures and a move do miracles :-)

Seahorse - December 3rd

I hardly have any breakfast. Still no appetite. The tummy feels okay though. Today we go for Marsa Egla, the dive we last year - after Kimo's recommendation - skipped. To our surprise Marsa Egla seems to be the alternative "seacow" dive.

After an hours drive we stop, just pasted Brayka Bay Resort, at a busy bay. Seems more know about the seacow here. Next to the 3 Austrian/Swiss (?) divers that joined on the boat yesterday, we are also accompanied by a few novice divers and an older German diver. He is looking for a buddy (as he is alone) and we decide to go with the six of us.

But than, just when we enter the water, the Austrian/Swiss girl excuses her self: "we already dove with him" "he doesn't listen" "only does his own thing" "it is our last dive" "sorry ... bye". And of they went. Hmmm ... nice. Than old German guy mumbles something. He had torn his finstrap and had to return to other divers. Okay ... the two of us only than.

May may, what a lot of sand. And what a - for Egyptian understanding - bad viz. We find nothing, totally nothing! So after half an hour we head to the reef. What an excuse for reef. So we go back for another go to find a dugong .. or anything interesting. We come across the Austrian/Swiss team. The girl signals they have seen a Seahorse ... somewhere over there.

Not to long after, despite of its size and good camouflage, we find the Seahorse. Hé hé ... we finally saw something! Not long after we even find a 2nd Seahorse! Time is up, back to the shore.

Jos: 65 [min] / 15.2 [m] | Petra: 64 [min] / 14.9 [m]

At the beach we hear the - Dutch - group next to us talking excited about something big: a Dugong. We - as the rest of our group - seem to have just missed it. Pity, but we know .. it's an ocean, not a Zoo.

Scooter - December 4th

We have booked at 10:00 o'clock, so plenty of time for a long sleep and a good breakfast. When we arrive at the dive shop Mahmoud is already waiting for us. "Do you still know how it works?" Hmmm .... yes and no. The details of operating the underwater scooter are being explained. And, as last year, we do a little practice round in the shallow waters, just of the local beach.

And than, first slowly, but than faster and faster, we cruise by the InterContinental Jetty, the Crowne Plaza Jetty and beyond. What is the reef gorgeous! A hour and a bit later the last dive of this holiday, and with that the last dive of 2012, had ended. Definitely a fun dive to celebrate a good year of diving.

Jos: 67 [min] / 23.8 [m] | Petra: 67 [min] / 22.0 [m]

The afternoon passes like breeze. Time for Petra to go to the Six Sense Spa. An hour and half later she returns smiling and shining. It was soo good :-)

Temperature drop - December 5th

The last day of a very very nice holiday has started. We pack before breakfast,  so we can spend another few hours at the lovely beach. Lovely, Egyptian winter sun! The wheaterforecast predicted a drop from 29°C to 24°C, but luckily it doesn't seem to be correct.

Noon, time to step in the bus and start our trip back home. The further we go North the more cloudy it gets. During our short layover in Sharm El Sheikh it even rains!!! Five and a half hours later we touch ground in Amsterdam. The temperature is 30°C less than in Egypt .... and it is snowing!

Port Ghalib - Water Scootering

October 2nd - Port Ghalib

Should we say much about it? Not really. We gambled for a cheaper holiday and now know it can back fire. Three Corners Fayrouz is loved by many, but not our place to be! We therefore very thankfull that after some discussions, some phone calls and a little funding we ended up in the Crown Plaza Sahara Sands. Really super!

It is already noon the next day when all is arranged and we have really moved: holidays can begin - jippie. [Thanks to Laura, Kate and Justin from Neckermann and Patrick from TCF]

October 3rd - Extra Divers

It was nice to meet again with Tino and Nina when signing in. Wide smiles and dive enthousiast - as it should. Tomorrow we will start with a House Reef dive. Just the two of us // and no mask hastle //.

October 4th - Conditioner

After a wonderfull early morning breakfast, we packed our diving gear, called reception and had a quick clubcart ride to the Dive Shop. As we didn't had the shop tour yesterday, it was a little chaotic getting all gear together and set-up. But a quarter of an hour later already we were on the back of another clubcart towards the House Reef. "Where do you want to dive?". As yes, they have several entries. We opted for the last one - at the Crown Plaza, to exit at the next one - at the Intercontinental.

Petra had some trouble descending. Not due to her new suite, making her more buoyant, but she had issues clearing her ears. Once we were down, the House Reef showed to be beautiful - just as Tina reminded us of before leaving the shop. And ... all our 'friends' were at home, even a Green Turtle swimming by!

All of a sudden Petra was starting to swim faster - she felt a little nauseous due to the light swell and her new suite. A good thing .. as the exit jetty was further than anticipated.

Jos: 60 [min] / 28.4 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 26.9 [m]

Early afternoon. A scream from underneath the shower. I think "O no ..., a flaw discovered in this beautiful hotel?" A cockroach maybe ... ? No .... much worse!!
Petra had forgotten her conditioner. PANIC!

Quickly a clubcart back to Port Ghalib Marina to buy a bottle of conditioner and a Beach Bag (also forgotten). The rest of the afternoon we spend lazy on the beach. Tomorrow we have a boat dive planned .. leave at 8:45.

October 5th - Wind

We are hardly 2 minutes on the boat when the dive guide asks whether we have already been to Marsa Mubarak. "No - why?". Well, that's where we are going. There is simply too much wind to go to another spot, as they lack a bay to park the boat. Also Elphinestone (the other option today) had been cancelled.

The dive spot is okay, but not super. During the 1st dive we pick up one of the 2 German divers. They started off what a buddy team of 3, but had obviously lost eachother. During the 2nd dive we took the lazy appraoch and followed the guide.

Jos: 58 [min] / 21.6 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 22 [m]

Jos: 58 [min] / 18.9 [m] | Petra 58 [min] / 17 [m]



Back on the hotel mail from Kate (Neckermann). They had made a mistake, and asked us to pay more. No! It happened to be the upgrade (seafront) we added. Which was cheaper direct from the hotel, so we cancelled the Neckermann request.

After a long stroll over the premases, and a curiosity visit to the Six Sense Spa at the Intercontinental, it was already time for dinner. Tomorrow we planned to search for Dennis ... .

October 6th - Dennis

Today we are heading for Marsa Abu Dabab, on a quest to find the Dugong (nicknamed "Dennis - the Dugong"). As always, we are way too early at the shop. During the waiting we hear Tina explaining to 2 OWD students that much had changed at Marsa Abu Dabab. It's overbuild. A storm destroit part of the reef. And the Dugong has hardly ever been seen for the last 2 years. Why were we going here again ..... ?!

At arrival neither of us reconize where we are. The open space is filled with buidings. At the entrance we get a bracelet - another newish thing according Tina. We decide to follow the guided groupe. Navigating the seagras can be confusing, so this is better.

After seeing about 6 giant Green Turtles (the regulars here), the guide (Hamada) starts to bang and swims away as if there is no tomorrow. Let's follow! Damn, my fin slips off. Petra beats the guide to the dust cloud (he pulls her fin to stop her). The dust cloud is moving and the guide follows it and keeps banging. I switch on the camera when I think I see a tail. OMG ... a Duging!

As the dust cloud clears I can't believe what I see. Two Dugongs! They move away and ascent for air. Leaving us breathless (literal). After a few Guitar Rays a memorable dive had ended.

Back at the Dive Shop our guide asks for a copy of my movie .. he is soo proud (and should)!

Jos: 54 [min] / 13.5 [m] | Petra: 52 [min] / 13.0 [m]

The rest of the day we spend doing little (enjoy the sun, read a book, etc). It's a holiday afterall.

// Finished my "Maarten" a nice magazine //

October 7th - Snorkelboat

At the dive shop it was confirmed what Nino already predicted yesterday. There was only one boat, and it didn't leave for the planned dive spot. On top of that there were 15 snorkelers joining on the boat (predominantly from the TCF). Italians, Berlgians, Dutch and a Swiss couple. So little divers. Next to us only a Swiss girl from Geneva (with a thick English accent). The ride to the chosen spot, Abu Sail, was quite bumpy. But at arriving the boat could be angored at a relatively calm spot. Time to gear up for the 1st dive.

Abu Sail, was, as predicted, a beautiful coral garden. After, again, a good tasting lunch, we started the second dive. Same spot, but the other side of the bay. The dive started with a nice pinnacle, and a little deeper the site was ever nicer than the moring part! After finishing the round with Hamada, we finished our air underneath the boat and emerged last.

We were harldy on the boat when they already started the return. The sea was even rougher than on our departure. Despite of 'magic pil' from Hamada, Petra felt quit sick ... luckily no 'damage'.

Jos: 63 [min] / 27.7 [m] | Petra: 58 [min] / 22 [m]

Jos: 64 [min] / 29.1 [m] | Petra: 63 [min] / 28 [m]

Back at the hotel we had a nice chat with a Dutch couple at the bar. Time to "de-salt" and get ready for dinner. And of course some quick text messages to the home front.

October 8th - Holiday Day

Today, we had planned a lazy day. A Holiday during the Holiday as a way of speaking. As Petra's flipflops were getting dangerous - the sole was coming loose - we 1st bought here a new pair (blue Levi's for 9 euro only).

At the dive shop we are getting ready for a House Reef dive: Crown Plaza - Crown Plaza. So to the North and back. A nice and relaxing dive.

Jos: 58 [min] / 26.5 [m] | Petra: 57 [min] / 26.7 [m]

Back at the dive shop we see the dive scooters and ask Nino for an explanation. We decide to give it a try .... tomorrow afternoon. The rest of the day is a relaxing day. After lunch and a siesta, we spend some time at the beach (I read the 1st 100 pages in my book). At sunset we go for a stroll, via the beach, through the Intercontinental and back. Time for dinner ... a lovely day had ended.

October 9th - Scooter

The day starts a little confusing. Our guide (Kimo) wonders why we want to go to El Egla. It is an hours drive, he has never been there and it is similar to several dive sites much closer. We explain it was the only Mini Bus dive on the plan, so we entered. But honestly, we don't care where we are going as long as it is nice. "No problem, let's go to Haig El Shunee". On arrival it showed we were not the only ones here .... so quickly gear up before the herd gets in. It showed to be beautiful, easy and relaxing dive.

Jos: 61 [min] / 29.0 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 26 [m]

A good choice as now we had plenty of time for lunch. After lunch back to the dive shop for the "Adventure of the Day" ... Water Scootering. Everybody was surprised we were going with the 2 of us, without guide. And not without reason - looking back!

As a "Jack in a Box" Mo popped up after about ten minutes. "You are Petra and Jos?" "Okay, I am Mo". Mo explained over water as well as under water how the Scooter needed to be operated - very calm and very good! And off we went, to the South - across the harbour enterance - where normally nobody dives.

This is SUPER FUN. And how beautifull the reef is, and soo much fish, and trutles, and, and .. . We also saw many small blue (box?) gelly fish. Very nice .. need to check the book later what kind.

Jos: 58 [min] / 22.6 [m] | Petra: 57 [min] / 21.1 [m]

And yes ... Scootering. We have to do this again! Really super!

October 10th - Too many Divers

This moring a Mini Bus to Marsa Murena. Next to us "Engelberg (she)" and new French guy are joining. The French first needed to be fitted a suite etc. before we could leave. After a short drive we arrive .... OMG what crowd! The beach was packed with - predominantly Italian - divers. Our guide thinks they will go North.This also what their guide seems to point out. Unfortunately, in the water they went South, like us.

The group in front of seem to have a "who can stir up the most sand competiton". Even the fish, quite used to the mirky waters now and than, seemed to be annoyed. At the turning point I am trying to take some pictures of the Petterson Cleaner Shrimps and an Anemone (owned by a couple of Clown Fish). Constant banging around me. And when I tried to swim further I was almost "helped". Wonder if they saw any of these shrimps?!

Hé, what is that. A boat joining the crowd? When returning it appeared 2 day boats had anchorred in the bay. And one of their tenders was driving up and down the bay, dangerously close to the divers. No, this was not really a good/nice dive.

Jos: 62 [min] / 28.0 [m] | Petra: 62 [min] / 25.9 [m]

Back on the dive shop we made the plan for the next day. Scooter in the mornig, and a House Reef in the afternoon. However, according Tino they were short on guides, so he advised me to give them a call around 5 to get confirmation of the final plan (maybe the other way around).

Now a relaxing afternoon ..... .

October 11th - Room Art

As Nino aready confirmed last night, we could go Scootering! Our guide was Mahmud (the husband of Cora, who now runs Extra Divers in Marsa El Arab, but soon will be the new management in Port Ghalib - as Nino and Tina are leaving for Oman / Extra Divers Al Sawadi). Of course the question if we were interested in a Certificat (130 Euro for the "Course" and 50 Euro for the certificat) or just a Fun Dive (25 Euro). Fun Dive it will be.

The visibility wasn't that good starting, as the boats just left and had stirred up the sand. Further on the water cleared and the reef was again beautiful. Mahmud discovered one after the other turtle. In the afternoon we did, as planned, a House Reef dive. From the Crown Plaza Jetty to the Intercontinental Jetty. The same as our first dive. But as Petra didn't feel well than, she hadn't really enjoyed the dive. This time she did! It was a marvellous and enjoyable dive.

Jos: 58 [min] / 24.7 [m] | Petra: 58 [min] / 24 [m]

Jos: 60 [min] / 18.6 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 18 [m]

In the evening we had a nice chat with the Dutch couple. I with him, "Mandemakers" sanitary. Petra with her, Fysiotherapist 6 weeks on sick leave and devorced 6 years ago.

Back at our room we discovered the next piece of art made by our room boy. A peacock this time!!

October 12th - Never again, or ....

Today, finally, we go to Elphinestone! Our last diving day this holiday, and this year. On arrival at the diving shop we were, once again, way too early. Quickly it is getting busy. Divers were arriving from everywhere: TCF, Marina Lodge and Mövenpick El-Quseir). 24 in total! With an hour delay we leave the marina. And as we had already soon on the whether forecast at reception: the wind had returned.

Two hour later we arrived at Elphinestone. We enter the water with the 2nd group (guide is Kimo). Eventhough not all divers from the SEVEN boats were in the water .... it was very crowded. So no sharks to be seen. Just walls of bubbles. At the surface the tender was already full. "We will be back in a minute". More than 20 minutes and many tenders later ("Extra Divers?" "Sorry not my boat") they finally returned to pick us up from the waves. The tender was way too full, and the waves were to high for the tender. At arrival at the boat the water in tender waas knee high.

The 'one hour' safety interval took two hours ... without lunch. Was this the "Must Do" dive I was waiting for?

Jos: 47 [min] / 30.8 [m] | Petra: 46 [min] / 29 [m]

Than the second dive. No negative entry. Not deep. Just enjoy the reef. And yes, than you know you are at maybe the most beautiful reef of Egypte. So full of coral, mainly soft coral. All in all, it still is that "Must Do" dive that completes a diving holiday to Egypte.

Jos: 61 [min] / 21.3 [m] | Petra: 61 [min] / 18 [m]

Finally, lunch! And now 2 hours back to Port Ghalib. The 2011 dive season has ended for us.

October 13th - Seven7Seas

Arranging a late check out was easier than expected. No extra cost, just "Okay, no problem sir". We could sleep in long that morning. No alarm. But still, we wake up quite early (~6 o'clock, the sun was already out, again a beautiful day!). After breakfast to the diveshop. Picking up our gear and settling the bill.

On our way to the dive shop we passed by the biggest, and according many the best, Liveaboard on the Red Sea. The Seven7Seas. The curiosity was obviously written on our faces, as we were asked whether we wanted to have a look around. O boy, what a beautiful and big boat. Same for the rooms. We had many times, between us, decided it was nothing for us. But now, on this big boat, we doubted that 'decision'. One thing is clear. If we ever decide to go for a Liveaboard, it will be this one or similar. Not a cheap boat, with which the marna was fillled .. none of them close to being an option!

Settling the bill. Not so easy when the Credit Card is refused. Back to the hotel to pick up our other Credit Cards - and take our logbooks for stamping! Petra's Master Card was refused as well. "Luckily" my Visa was accepted by the bank dail-in system.

After a morning of relaxing on the beach it was time take shower, pack our bags and pay the $30/day for our upgrade to SeaView. "Thank you. All is okay" was all .... no bill?! Lucky?

Just before leaving for the airport the receptionist jumped on the bus and looked around ..... (?). No, not looking for us. Looking for "Mandemakers". He hadn't returned his towl card (wasn't asked either), and now had to walk all the way to the beach to return the card. Rediculous, but this is Egypt.

With an hour delay we take off. Tomorrow pick up our cats, and than ... weekend.