Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai

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Background

Also known as Mount Horeb. It was here Moses witnessed the burning bush whilst tending Joseph’s flocks. ‘The bush burned but was not consumed’ is the common theme. There are different versions.

Sinai derives from the Semitic, Sin or ‘Sun God’ OR sin-ah, meaning hatred referring to the Jealousy people felt against the Jews. I’ve been to many places where the sun rises, and this isn’t the greatest amongst them.

Definitely a place for reflection.

Moses received the ten commandments here.

Ascent

Mount Sinai is a journey reachable from St. Katherine (town). Where there are a few hotels.

They say that Mount Sinai is best viewed at dawn, when one can wonder at the true spectacle of this desert mountain landscape and the beauty of it all etc. etc.
The truth is, if you attempted in the day, you would suffer heat-stroke, exhaustion or both.

This is a 2 hour, 3 mile jaunt ascent of roughly 1500ft along dusty track followed by steps which last for 700 steps.

Expect to be fit or fast if you want to get there at dawn.

Here are the rewards.

mount sinai @ dawn
mount Sinai at dawn

sinia highest point
chapel at mount Sinai

Descent
Took the descent down the 7,000 step route.

This is the original, steep route, and the one we hear so much about. You will know you are on the right track as you pass through 2 arches.

It descends from the mountain taking in 7,000 rock hewn steps, although I didn’t count them so I can’t be sure where this statistic was coming from.

One thing I can be sure of was there were no Camel trip or attractions to plunder your money on.

I enjoyed the silence and was able to reflect on how Moses must have been thinking in order to wonder up to such a wild and desolate place and what inspired people to hate the Jews so much..

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rocky descent, 7000 steps

The chances of death are high. You’re on your own, in every sense. Perhaps more than anywhere else I’ve ever been. But the silence is great. Shame there are so many tourists around 🙂

Stop off in Dahab

Stop off in Dahab

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On my way to Mount St. Katherine, Egypt, and possibly the world’s, oldest monastery.

Dahab I was expecting like Sharm, or an old town. Turned out to be an old town.

Here I stopped for some lunch, a haircut and to buy some CD’s for the journey.

Dahab was a pleasant town, less low-key than Sharm. The beach is pebble, so I doubt that it would have attracted the same level of interest as Sharm which has lengthily sandy beaches set against resort after resort.

Dahab is not like that.

I could find more in Dahab and faster, so it made a good stop over point and I got all the things done I wanted to do, here’s some shots of Dahab.

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Cheeky cat eats Aroz

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Stuffed fox smokes pipe

The restaurant I stopped in was called Mummy Funny, I had a Hallal Kebab, which, I guess is an Egyptian meal.
It was beef in spicy sauces with peppers (capsicum), potatoes fried in cumin, served with rice and salad.

Took me 5 minutes to eat it and it went down a treat.

My new car

My new car

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Have got this Subaru 4wd. From what I can make out it’s a 1.8 injection with AWD advanced wheel drive although I tested it in the dunes this afternoon It didn’t seem to be going anywhere fast.

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Subaru Land Cruiser

Most of the Bedouins drive open-top jeeps like the old US issue short wheel-base jobs.

This Subaru should do fine judging by the level of potholes on the road.

Egyptian road rules
Pick any side of the road.
You needn’t stick to it, if you want to change sides later on, that’s fine too.

When I first got in the car, I noticed a 4000l oil truck careering down the wrong side of a dual carriageway tooting his airhorn.

Discovery
Discovered today that the boot doesn’t lock and the oil light remains permanently on.

I’ll be taking it back tomorrow.

PADI – Open water course

PADI – Open water course

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Started PADI open water course today.

The course lasts from 3-4 days depending on experience.

I’ve been given some homework overnight which consists of swatting up on this manual, and being able to prove I’m aware of how to dive safely, then we’ll take to the water!

More later.

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Day 1
I’ve decided to write all as one blog makes it easier to read and other things may happen in between but the wonders of modern technology allow me to move the blog to the top of the pile when I write a bit more about this PADI course.

From first impression, the PADI stands out as the most challenging post-academic qualification since my driving test, (which was in 1991).
Today we were learning about pressures and safety. I guess these are the two things which can catch people out to the point of death when diving.

“Not trying to scare you” , is what the instructor said, “but this is not a casual course, we have to obey the laws of physics”.
I’m glad someone out there still recognises that laws exist, (and are good).

I reach for my thinking cap and serious face.

Covered:

BCD Buoyancy Control Device: An inflatable jacket.

Second Stage: Another name for a mouthpiece.

Kitting Up: Putting your gear on.

I’ve learnt how to be comfortable in the water through a ‘confined dive’, which was conducted in a swimming pool going through equipment, kit, all the blah blah that you do as a matter of course.

Day 2
Got off to a wobbly start @ 9am. But confidence levels made up.
Dived twice: once in shallow water (confined dive). Then later in deeper water.

Saw an octopus and an white eel also a spotted stingray.

Diver log book
Divers log all their dives where you can write about things you experienced on your dive like eels, big or dangerous fish.
We will be learning about this divers log on day 3.

Starting to really enjoy going in the water.

Day 3
Started wobbly as had to move hotel overnight had to arrange all movement of stuff and check-out and the rest of the shebang.

Eventually turned up @ about 10am. An hour late.

Third day is the last day.

I have completed 4 open water dives, one up to 15m.
I fully removed my mask @ 8m and refitted it blowing the water out.
I floated in the water without using any forms of bouyancy, just inhaling and exhaling and maintained a constant position using this method.

Took a dive out in to open water and saw 2 metre long moral eel in the coral. It’s head was about 14 inches wide.

After this took a theory test got about 80%, which was enough to pass.

PADI Open Water Diver
Now I am a PADI Open Water Diver.

My certification should be waiting for me when I get home.

Hopefully this will open all sorts of opportunities for employment. A diving Qualification is a professional qualification.

Moved Hotel

Moved Hotel

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That’s right, moved Hotel from Hilton to SAS.

The Raddison’s located right on the beach away from the flight paths of all approaching aircraft so is slightly quieter.

The balconies looking out on the sea. Here’s a quick shot and fix.

It’s about 20km from Sharm.

Prices are about $110 per night cheaper than Hilton.

There are five restaurants, from a French and European buffet to a couple of al-la-carte ones including a fish restaurant.

The picture taken was a view from my balcony looking over the island Tarin.