We try out the hotel tennis courts. It's windy the first night and we think that's normal (Dahab is big on wind-surfing) but it's calm the rest of the week. One night we join a doubles social. Another evening the pro has the day off when he's supposed to be organising another doubles session. Shrug - this is Egypt.
We try all the restaurants in the hotel then on Friday we organise a taxi and finally venture into Dahab. It's small but growing with evidence of building everywhere. The waterfront promenade has wall to wall restaurants. Each has its own tout. They greet you and press their particular venue's unique attractions but are easily put off. They accept defeat with good grace and a smile. "Maybe you try us tomorrow."
We pick a place to eat - low tables and carpets, open fires . We are invited to choose our dish. The fish is on ice to keep it fresh. So is the lobster. Still moving. We choose something else that stays still.
We're surrounded by cats as we eat, obviously on the scrounge and aoccasionally bad-tempered with each other but no problem.
Saturday - early start in air-conditioned minibus into the Sinai Mountains to St Katheine's monastery. Record the altitude on my new toy. Watch the desaturation time on the dive computer rise and fall as we go up to the monastery then return.
We try all the restaurants in the hotel then on Friday we organise a taxi and finally venture into Dahab. It's small but growing with evidence of building everywhere. The waterfront promenade has wall to wall restaurants. Each has its own tout. They greet you and press their particular venue's unique attractions but are easily put off. They accept defeat with good grace and a smile. "Maybe you try us tomorrow."
We pick a place to eat - low tables and carpets, open fires . We are invited to choose our dish. The fish is on ice to keep it fresh. So is the lobster. Still moving. We choose something else that stays still.
We're surrounded by cats as we eat, obviously on the scrounge and aoccasionally bad-tempered with each other but no problem.
Saturday - early start in air-conditioned minibus into the Sinai Mountains to St Katheine's monastery. Record the altitude on my new toy. Watch the desaturation time on the dive computer rise and fall as we go up to the monastery then return.
The monastery is isolated and austere. It's a co-operative coming together of Christian and Muslim cultures for mutual support. Camel ride down, just because.
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