By Henry
Our first rest day of the tour. Sunny skies and a high of 22° C projected. Everyone at camp has varying plans for the day.
Sunrise on the beach at Safaga.
Breakfast buffet was provided by the tour at LaGoonie Lodge.
I chose to take an optional Red Sea snorkeling excursion. Linda, Tim, and Jeff deferred and made other plans, thinking it might be too cold. Rental wet suits were provided at this kiosk. it was breezy and slightly chilly, but not unpleasant in the water.
Many colorful fish to be seen, not dissimilar to that found in Hawaii or other locales.
Our snorkeling boat.
Beautiful blue water, the town of Safaga, and the Red Sea mountains in the background.
After stops at two coral reefs for snorkeling, we were treated to a remarkable and delicious lunch provided by the onboard chef (left) out of a very small galley.
After lunch, we were taken to a couple sandbars which the locals call "Magic Island" because it disappears under the tide.
Everyone was given a ride on the inflatable. No lifejackets were required and the driver tried his best to flip the tube over the wake.
Safaga street scene after dinner at a fish restaurant. We each ordered an entrée, and it was accompanied by a lot of side dishes including pickled vegetables; very similar to what would be seen in a Korean restaurant. During the daytime, it is mostly men in the streets. In the evening, we see a lot more women and children. The children are constantly shouting "hallo" at us. Some of the children have learned to extend their hand and ask for "money", the other English word they know well. Skinny stray dogs and cats are everywhere, which also saddens those of us who have pets.
Sunrise on the beach at Safaga.
Breakfast buffet was provided by the tour at LaGoonie Lodge.
I chose to take an optional Red Sea snorkeling excursion. Linda, Tim, and Jeff deferred and made other plans, thinking it might be too cold. Rental wet suits were provided at this kiosk. it was breezy and slightly chilly, but not unpleasant in the water.
Many colorful fish to be seen, not dissimilar to that found in Hawaii or other locales.
Our snorkeling boat.
Beautiful blue water, the town of Safaga, and the Red Sea mountains in the background.
After stops at two coral reefs for snorkeling, we were treated to a remarkable and delicious lunch provided by the onboard chef (left) out of a very small galley.
After lunch, we were taken to a couple sandbars which the locals call "Magic Island" because it disappears under the tide.
Everyone was given a ride on the inflatable. No lifejackets were required and the driver tried his best to flip the tube over the wake.
Safaga street scene after dinner at a fish restaurant. We each ordered an entrée, and it was accompanied by a lot of side dishes including pickled vegetables; very similar to what would be seen in a Korean restaurant. During the daytime, it is mostly men in the streets. In the evening, we see a lot more women and children. The children are constantly shouting "hallo" at us. Some of the children have learned to extend their hand and ask for "money", the other English word they know well. Skinny stray dogs and cats are everywhere, which also saddens those of us who have pets.
Tomorrow, we ride westwards and inland, away from the ocean and over the Red Sea mountains, towards the Nile River. Our destination in two days is Luxor. We will not see the ocean again until we encounter the South Atlantic Ocean in South Africa in early May.
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