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1. Egypt's Red Sea
Coast - One of the Worlds Top Water Sports Destinations
As it was in the days of the early Greeks
and Romans, so it is today that Egypt is one of the worlds
favourite travel destinations. Though the country's biggest
draw continues to be the amazing abundance of historical treasures,
the destination offers more than just the wonders of antiquity.
Of the six tourist super-sites - Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor,
Aswan, Hurghada on the Red Sea and Sharm El Sheikh in Sinai;
none except Luxor relies entirely on ancient monuments to
attract visitors.
The Red Sea is well known to adherents of
the great monotheistic religions as the sea that God parted
with his own hand so that Moses could lead his brethren across
to Sinai. But believers will be scandalized to learn that
there are some who do not accept the miraculous parting of
sea. Their clever explanation is that the event was possible
due to a marshy sea of reeds or high currents that separated
the waters. But all agree that for sailing, diving and fishing
- it is one of the best destinations in the world.
The Red Sea has since antiquity, been important
for political and economic reasons. This long and narrow sea
between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula acted as a link between
China, India, Persia, the Arabian Gulf and Africa with the
Mediterranean. The Red Sea contributed to the development
of the Silk Road connecting China and Rome, through India.
This road facilitated trade and cultural exchange between
the west and China.
The Red Sea was key in the spreading of the
Christian faith to Egypt and Ethiopia shortly after the death
of Christ. St Mark brought the gospel to the Egyptians around
AD 40. The isolation of the Red sea area in Egypt attracted
the first Christian hermits. St Anthony - a very devout Egyptian
who sought spiritual salvation was attracted by the isolation
and austere character of the region. He is credited with founding
monasticism. The monastery built by his disciples in the fourth
century AD lies at the foot of the plateau of Gebel al-Galala
al-Qibliya.
The St Anthony monastery, which is the largest
Coptic monastery in Egypt, has over the centuries survived
attacks from Bedouins and Muslims. It is today home to monks
who carry on the work of the hermit founder. St Paul, a devotee
of St Anthony, built the monastery of St Paul near the cave
where he lived for nearly 90 years. The two monasteries are
82 km apart by road and can be reached from Zafarana.
Egypt's Red Sea coast runs for 1250 km, from
the Gulf of Suez and down to the border with the Sudan. The
sea floor averages 500m and at its deepest reaches 2,500m.
The sea is still undergoing natural processes that have resulted
in volcanic features in the deeper parts and some gain in
width. The sea covers part of the Rift Valley. Some scientists
are so ambitious for the Red Sea, leading them to speculate
that after so much water has passed it will become an ocean.
The Red Sea coast is famed for its crystal
clear blue waters and exotic marine life, attracting thousands
of tourists yearly. The reputation is well deserved - in 1989,
an international panel of scientists picked the north part
of the Red Sea as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the
World. The sea carries over 800 fish, including the lethal
stonefish and butterfly fish as well as shark and over 200
coral species. In addition, the shores of the sea are visited
by thousands of migrating birds every year and bird watchers
are bound to have a good time here.
The waters have a constant temperature of
21- 25 degrees centigrade. Visibility is good at 10-50 m and
upto a distance of about 200 m. Visibility is best in summer
but can be reduced in spring by plankton growth and sediments.
However, the sea is also known for its strong winds and unstable
currents. This is the characteristic that appears to give
substance to the position of those who disbelieve Moses' miraculous
parting of the sea.
So named because of its red tint mountain
ranges, the Red Sea is an important tourist destination and
is home to a number of resorts, the biggest of which is Hurghada.
The coastline is particularly famous for its diving sites,
which include Ras Mohammed, Elphinstone, The Brothers and
Rocky Island. The Austrian biologist and scuba diver, Hans
Hass put the Red Sea in the limelight in the 1950's - and
this has resulted in it being one of top diving destinations.
The renowned French environment explorer, Jacques Yves Cousteaus,
through his writings and movies cemented this reputation.
Egypt's Red Sea has since then experienced
rapid development. More hotels and resorts have sprung up
here than anywhere else in the country. This growth has however
at times resulted in over development and resultant challenge
to the environment. An estimated 60% to 80% of the coral reefs
around the coast have been damaged due to illegal and irresponsible
activities. The authorities have in recent years woken to
this reality and this will hopefully lead to restoration and
more balanced development in the future.
The major centres along Egypt's Red Sea coast
are Ain Sukhana, Berenice, Bir Shalatein, El Gouna, Hurghada,
Mersa Alam, Al- Zuseir, Safaga, Suez and Zafarana. Hurghada
emerged in early 20th century and was until recently an isolated
fishing village. It terms of historical pedigree it cannot
hold its own against some of the other Red Sea towns such
as Berenice which was founded in 275 BC by the Ptolemy II
Philadephus during the Greek period. But from the 1980's onwards,
the city has prospered and is now the leading resort along
the red sea coast. Hurghada lies 380 km to the southeast of
Cairo
Hurghada has today a population of 40,000
and is home to numerous hotels and resorts offering first
class water sports facilities for sail boarding, windsurfing,
yachting, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. If
you do not want to get wet, you can still catch a glimpse
of the impressive diversity of marine creatures by visiting
Hurghada's aquarium and museum. The aquarium has a wide selection
of fish and various other odd- looking yet fascinating marine
creatures. Sunbathers will also find excellent white sand
beaches. The resort has a good choice of bars, restaurants,
boutiques, and discos and is well known for its vibrant nightlife.
From the city you can access numerous uninhabited
off shore reefs and islands. They offer a wide array of exciting
activities. At Giftun Island you can indulge in snorkeling
and view the Red Sea underworld from a submarine! The Island
is lined with shops and boutiques, which will allow some retail
therapy. There are also some historical sites such as the
Roman era porphyry quarry remains at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan.
In addition, you can take day trips to explore the Red Sea
Mountains by camel or jeep.
Between El Gouna and Safaga, is an area that
is known as Europe's playground. The area boasts among other
things an airport, a hospital, an open- air amphitheatre,
and golf course. It is an area frequented by the rich and
famous and is host to concerts and sporting events. The beaches
are clean and a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle
of inner town. Safaga- 60 km from Hurgada, specialises in
diving. On account of its pristine beaches and strong breezes,
it was chosen as the venue for the 1993 World Windsurfing
Championships.
You will find El Gouna 20 km to the north
of Hurghada. This is a purpose built leisure resort that boasts
of 10 km of beachfront. It has international standard diving
facilities and a myriad of opportunities for windsurfing,
snorkeling, parasailing, and water skiing. Golfer may also
relax at the El Gouna's 18-hole USPGA Golf Course.
The area is also home to islands - Shadwan
Island, Shaab Abu Shiban, Shaab el- Erg, Umm Gammar Island,
which are all famous for snorkeling, diving and fishing. The
southern side of the Red Sea coast is more tranquil than the
central areas and is popular with honeymooners. Here you enjoy
breathtaking nature, excellent resorts and good diving sites.
For those on a spiritual journey, the Red Sea coast is home
to Coptic Christian monasteries, which are the oldest monasteries
in Egypt as well as the whole of Christendom. You can view
the monasteries by taking a hike overseen by the monks and
novices residing within.
There are few international flights to Hurghada,
though most visitors fly or travel overland by bus from Cairo.
There are a variety of hotels
and resorts in the Red Sea area- with Hurghada
having the largest share. In this city, you will find top
tier international chain accommodation and other digs suitable
for budget travelers. To get more value from your trip to
the region, you can add on a Nile
cruise- the best way to experience the wonders
of ancient Egypt.
The best time to visit the Red Sea coast is
March to May and September to November. In these periods,
you enjoy warm days and your fellow tourists are mercifully
away. The summer months are uncomfortably hot and humid, while
winter days can be chilly especially in the evenings. Remember
to pack cameras to capture images and sunglasses for protection
against the scorching sun, light clothing, hats and some sunscreen.
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