Ann and I arrived at Sharm El Sheikh airport at around 11.30 Egyptian time and after getting through customs with not too much hassle we boarded our coach and set off to our Hotel the Rosetta.  It didn’t take long and we were not to be disappointed at our first impressions of the hotel, although our room at the Rosetta sports club took a lot to be desired, the room was very basic, small, with very little natural light, no balcony and a shower that flooded every time someone used it although this was a bit of a joke when I say Showered, I mean More like dribbled upon.  However A boy called Mohammed kept our rooms Scrupulously clean with fresh bedding and towels made into water lilies and swan shapes decorated with fresh flowers and to boot all done with a huge smile and a lovely pleasant manner.  I would advise anyone going to the Rosetta to stay in the actual Hotel itself as the rooms were very nice and airy with balcony’s and a lot overlooked the pools or gardens.  

The first few days Anne and I spent on the little patch of beach that was owned by the Rosetta Hotel laying on sun beds under a huge palm leafed umbrella just relaxing and Anne doing some very serious catching up on sleep, only to wake up now and then, hold me her cup out for water and immediately collapsing again into a coma,  This went on for Three Days !!!.

As for Me, well I got acclimatized very quickly  in Three days, it only took 3 bottles of Factor 35 and 6 layers of skin and I was perfectly fine after that.  

I have also found a new  way to lose weight.  “Dont go on silly diets Ladies”, Just go to Sharm el sheikh in August, Drink 2 Gallons of water a day watching it then drip off your fingertips, nose, ears, and anything else that just happens to droop,

At the same time Grill yourself rapidly from the outside inn using the dessert sun, loosing 1 layer of skin a day.  So at the end of your Holiday you can return home feeling relaxed, dehydrated, prune faced and transparent.  Just the way every stick insect model wants to look.

By the end of day 3 when I found I still had enough skin left to support my weight we went into Sharm el Sheikh itself instead of Naama Bay where we had eaten for the last few evenings, ( I’ll get back to this later), We got onto a local Toyota mini bus crammed with Egyptian men who gladly made room for us by promptly sitting on the roof!!! (no no no I’m only joking, some sat on the floor, ) We eventually arrived at Sharm and paid our 5 E.L. bus fare and started to casually walk in through the arch that led into the old market town of Sharm.

We were immediately taken in tow by a local guy who took it upon himself to show us around ( for a price, “of course” ) Anne and I got about 100 foot into the town and as Anne said afterwards it was a scene taken straight out of Indiana Jones and the Temple of doom, the whole street that could see us stopped dead, it went silent and all eyes were on us, We stopped and looked at them, they looked at us and we looked at them, this went on for what seemed like an eternity." I did a quick mental check to see if I had forgotten to put my dress on ?”,  At this point our holiday spirit went from our brains and dissolved  through our stilettos into the dessert sands and our British sense came back, we rapidly hung on to each other with our clip clopperty shoes and made a quick exit via the way we came, “I dread to think what we looked like?” WE got back on a mini bus and went straight back into Naama Bay where we felt much safer never to venture out again into the dessert moonlight.  

Naama is a lovely place and very Cosmopolitan with the usual Mc Donald's, Pizza Hut and fast food takeaways which we completely ignored and went straight for the Cantonese, Lebanese, Italian, Mongolian, Egyptian, and the Hard Rock Cafe (especially recommended for a really excellent night out !!! ) “ Well that was the first night taken care of, Hey I’m not kidding have you seen what Anne can eat  I HATE HER !!! she never puts weight on, One salad and I'm back on my personal dessert diet again “.  

But seriously the sea front walk leading to Naama Bay is simply fabulous darlings, the restaurants along the beach range from The Hilton resorts with Chefs cooking to order in front of you to simple pizza take-aways, local true Egyptian delicacy’s to Bedouin tea tents with the Hubla bubla pipes ( hookah )

The people are genuinely very friendly and hospitable. “Yes we know they want your money but they are so nice while they are taking it from your pockets you really don't seem to mind !”, We drank gallons of local tea and even tried the Hookah pipes coughing and spluttering all the way but it was well worth it for the photo’s.  

On Thursday  25th August we had a very busy day, we went to Ras Mohammed national park in  the day starting at around 7am we got up and breakfasted and boarded our coach at around 9 to take us to the marina where we boarded our boat which was quite large and lovely and clean having 2 decks the upper most  being for sunbathing  etc.  We got to our first location at around 10.30 and spent 45 minutes snorkeling this was very nice but Anne and I both agreed that this was not really much better than our own beach/sea could offer, we carried on from there to the actual national park of Ras Mohammed which took around 1.5 hrs to reach, however on turning the point we were met with a landscape that I for one will never forget.  The backdrop of rugged orange/brown baron mountains running into dessert yellow sand gradually merging with the gold/white sands of the beach disappearing into a sea that defies description because of the sheer beauty of so many different colors of blues, greens and azures, this alone made the trip more than worth while for me.  We moored along with a flotilla of boats and proceeded to follow our guide into the water, we finned over some coral and back again  and then onto the shore, we took off our fins and walked along the sand for approx 20.25mtrs  and then sat on the beach waiting for other people to catch up, then we walked into the sea for about 20mtr put our fins back on and tried to keep up with our guide “I think he was a torpedo in disguise”, after a while I for one gave up trying to keep up with "Speedy Gonzales" and paced myself for a more relaxing snorkel around the coral not too far away from our boat even though I along with numerous other puffing and panting people were being harassed by our ever increasing speeding guide telling us to keep up!!!. I sort of accidentally on purpose got separated from this human whirlwind and carried on doing my own thing until I realized I  was the only person along with 2 others still left in the water.

When I got back onboard and made my way carefully around  the people who had suffered cardiac arrest and those who were on oxygen I found Anne “Where Else” but on her third helping of lunch . There was some left for me and very nice it was to consisting of buffet style salads, spaghetti, meatballs, pitta breads pastas, Fruit and soft drinks.  We were told after lunch that the visibility was not as good as could be expected in the park waters so we were going to a different location to do more snorkeling.  (I wondered about this and was sorely tempted to reply that if the guides legs could be chopped off the viz might get better ? but I resisted the temptation).  After snorkeling our other site we headed back to the marina and what had now become home for the next 10 days, the trip was well worth the money, loads to see we had a great day and I lost more weight keeping up with speedy.  We got back HOME around 6ish   quick shower, change etc and ate in the hotel complex for the first time and waited for our coach to arrive to commence our 2nd trip that day.

Next trip full blown all night tour of Mount Sinai and St Catherine's monastery, the coach arrived at 11.30 pm and we got to Moses Mountain at 2.30 am. 

Anne and I had already decided that walking for 3 hrs up a mountain was too much after the days events and the way we felt so we opted for Camels....We smelled them 15 minutes before we reached them, we had been given torches to light our way in the pitch black of the night and what we saw staring back at us gave me serious pause for thought, but it either the camel or a 3 hour trek uphill, The Camel won and we got on.   Now try to imagine , Anne is 6 stone nothing, I am Err well  larger to say the least, Anne fitted just fine in between the pommels,  “I DIDN’T” I can’t say where the pommels ended up on me but for  two and a half hours I couldn’t see for tears.  Anne and I got slightly separated in the dark and I was left with two German Ladies, one of which had a most disagreeable camel, it had aspirations of being Red Rum in the Grand National.  

This barmy and ugliest thing on four legs kept trying to throw itself off the trek into the night, so the Bedouin who had hold of my camel left me alone to sort this Kamikaze out, all of which was very nice for the German lady who believe me had my whole sympathy of course, BUT “HELLO,  EXCUSE ME,  WHO THE HELL IS WATCHING MY CAMEL.   I'm on my own going up a mountain on a thing that only knows how to chew, spit, smell and make rude noises, the reins are dangling on the floor and I can’t reach them and it only understands the Arabic grunts coming from the region of its rear end from its owner.  I couldn’t say I was entirely comfortable at 10,000 foot on a 3ft ledge on the side of mount Sinai with both legs sticking out at right angles, Praying that God in this holy place had given My Camel just one brain cell more than the others so it didn’t think it was a Lemming and throw itself off the mountain .  

Praying works!!!  I did get to the other end in one piece, although a nervous wreck I then proceeded to walk up 300 steps bandy legged to the summit, we got there around 5.45am and waited patiently  along with thousands of other people for the sun to rise, there is a church on top of mount Sinai and a Greek orthodox monk was saying mass, at 6.15 the sun started to rise and slowly the mountains in every direction started to change color it was a magnificent sight well worth the long trek and wait.  I am not a religious person but the atmosphere on the mountain had a lovely peaceful air to it even with literally thousands of people from small children to very old people who had made the pilgrimage to be there.  After sunrise we went back down the mountain   ON FOOT  !!! .  

This should have taken about 2 hours Anne and I did it in about an hour Why? well because Anne and I had a common cause    THE LOO    and there wasn’t any nor unlike Coniston were there any trees, (you don’t get many growing in the dessert).  and also owing to the fact that we both had Gastro enteritis and had by now been up for over 24hrs our systems were rebelling big time, by the time we reached the monastery leaving a trail of dust behind us we at last found   THE LOO .   Now not putting too fine a point on it The camels faired better, as poorly as we was this very thin line could not be compromised and so we had to wait for our coach to leave for the hotel we were stopping off for breakfast at 11am..In between that time we were guided around St Catherine's monastery, we saw the Moses Well, The burning Bush chapels and  beautiful artifacts too numerous to mention, a very interesting trip but a long hard one I would again recommend this one but definitely not if you are feeling unwell as previously mentioned there are no toilets fit for use.  We eventually got back to the hotel at around 3.30ish and collapsed.  

Friday and Saturday was spent recovering from this marathon and sorting out paper work and equipment. Now Anne was not greeted but positively scowled at from behind the desk and told that the hire for the equipment would be £85 and not the £55-60 Anne had expected and which was stated in the brochure, it was not the point of the extra money so much as the attitude of the front of house staff, this took a whole lot to be desired and to be blunt it stank the girls are rude and offensive with a couldn't care less, take it or leave it attitude, These girls need a serious lesson in P.R.  It is just as well the dive instructors and other staff more than make up for there shortfalls or I for one would not deal with them again.   A very poor show girls I am sure it wouldn’t be too difficult to deal with your paying customers in a more pleasant and courteous manner, Do you? fortunately this complaint regarding the Emperor divers  reception girls is my only one on the entire holiday.  

Early hours Monday morning all hell broke loose on the quiet  peninsular of the Sinai dessert, Paul and Steve arrived and true to form we never stopped laughing from that time to the end of the holiday our restful sleepy days had come to an end to be replaced with being taught how to become a teenager again. (Not a pretty sight).  Our first dive arrived Monday at around 11ish at a location called White Knight, we dived to 27mtr for 32 minutes, the water temperature was 27 c and the viz excellent, it was spectacular and this dive was only local to get used to weight, buoyancy  and anything else that needed adjusting, but even so the dive was excellent and a taste of what was to follow.  The second dive of the day was in a place called Middle Garden (Which Anne Particularly Enjoyed?) we got to around 16mtr for around 52 minutes, The sea is so blue, the Marine and Fauna so varied with colors that blow you away it was hard at times to believe what you were seeing was real “ Absolutely Fantastic”.  We did 2 dives a day but on Wednesday we managed 3 2 of which were drift dives and were great fun even though the sea was quite choppy these were around the Tiran Island Reefs.  On Thursday we got up again very early at around 4am to be ready to go to the Thistlegorm, the trip out on the boat was fairly up and down but none of us ended up looking green around the gills, when we arrived at the site we were pleasantly surprised by the fact that there were not many boats anchored there so there would be relatively few divers and thus would not be to crowded,  we kitted up and I was to Buddy with a German Lady with Mohammed in front  the Lads (Paul and Steve) behind and Jeff and Karen off doing there own thing, we entered the water and dragged ourselves from the stern to the bow where the  shot line had been secured by Mohammed, and proceeded to descend, much to our relief as it was pretty rough on the surface, we followed the shot line until the Thistlegorm came into view.

This is my first wreck dive and I was loving every moment of it the sheer size of the thing was incredible and so high, we  went into some of the holds were the light permitted found the Motorbikes and Mohammed Paul and myself had our photo taken sitting on it.

 We saw were the bomb went off and as Mohammed said later it was as if you could still hear it going off with all the wreckage strewn all around the sea bed, the ammunition boxes, soldiers Boots and vehicles  stacked high in there holds, I had the time of my life down there at 30 meters and I would Still be there now if only I had Gills, we had a brilliant dive and couldn’t wait for our 2nd trip down after lunch.  

Speaking of which let me introduce you all to our crew, there is Akmed the Skipper, Nadaar our cook/Chef and friend to everyone and  our Brilliant Dive Guide Mohammed.  Akhmed was a true gentleman and a brilliant captain who was ever thoughtful  and full of hospitality for his guests if he made tea for himself he asked everyone I hope we meet again a lovely person.  Nadaar is a chef and a half catching fish on route to dive sights we had barracuda one day with fresh fish being his specialty marinated in fresh lime juice, olive oil, coriander, parsley and crushed garlic and seasoned to perfection, his salads, pastas bean dishes and rice moulds were all to die for and if you are reading this Nadaar my offer still stands you can come and live with me, the pay is lousy but you will have more friends than you can deal with, we all loved him to bits, if more of the world could be like him it would be a happier place. and then there is Mohammed a very proficient &  extremely safety conscious diver, his briefings in depth and very informative, in the water ever watchful of his party and wild about coral and marine preservation, what can I say, only that you seemed to give us 100% Mohammed, Thank you for 12 Fantastic dives we will never forget. 

  Sorry if the lads gave you several heart failures i.e. Fighting at 18 meters, chasing sharks, kissing Titan Trigger Fish, throwing themselves and sun glasses overboard, tantalizing the Italian Bikini fish with their tanned physique and driving the Italian men mad with jealousy at the same time and not forgetting the constant playing of tricks , pranks and bad jokes that always seemed to be aimed at you.  But go on be honest with yourself you are going to miss them aren't you?.  All the dives were absolutely fantastic and when you thought it couldn't get any better it did, what you saw in the brochures are not exaggerated, the sea is a warm aquarium full of Parrotfish, Butterfly fish, Triggerfish, Stingrays, Barracudas, Scorpion fish, Batfish, Coralfish, Wrasse, Groupers, and many many more. a huge amount of different varieties of fish can be seen by just simply snorkeling and six foot into the sea there are fish swimming around your feet. Absolutely mind boggling.  

Friday night brought us our last dive a night dive on a local reef and only seven of us diving, my buddy was a local guy and a friend of Mohammed's although once in the water with this guy I had serious doubts about his diving capabilities for as we descended Paul and I was watching each other and my buddy shot past us like a ton of bricks and tried to burry himself into the sea bed, after filling his BC up with air he then tried to launch himself bodily back into the boat, eventually  he got to our level and we set off. This with many things I have done this  holiday was my first night dive and a weird experience to say the least, with little eyes watching you from every nook and cranny and your not sure just how big the teeth are attached to those eyes.

There were many scorpion fish, morays, sting rays and cuttlefish as well as hundreds of other species and it was a wonderful experience, I would have enjoyed it better though if the Buddy I had practiced being a good buddy because every time I turned round to check on him he was either up in the air or way back somewhere else and I had to keep doubling back to Check on him, after a while we settled on the sea bed and turned our torches off, we waved our arms about and watched as the phosphorus glowed in the darkness of the waters, it was brilliant.

When Mohammed turned his torch back on and buddies started to move away together I was aware that mine was Yet again nowhere in sight I did the usual search and looked up to see  a light, but I thought this belonged to the boat as it was constant  with no movement, as I was now starting to get worried about my buddy I gave the distress signal to Mohammed who reacted immediately and was by my side within a matter of seconds, after letting him know my problem he gave the sign to surface which we did and found my buddy on the boat de-kitting, I was not pleased to say the least and neither was Mohammed after a talk to his friend Mohammed informed me that he had problems with his weight so had to abandon his dive,  (Did that include me) Only after the dive itself could Paul let me know that both he and Steve had been keeping an eye on me to make sure that I was ok (true Buddies, Thanks Guys).    After we had de-kitted Mohammed told us that Nadaar had been very busy during the day making us a cake and as we went into the galley there it was with a candle lighting it up, not only was it a beautiful cake but it was also a huge cake with  glazed fruit on the top, he had also made some Mango punch and all this was to say goodbye and thanks to us “what a star “ or “Beaudy” as the lads would say.  We ate this magnificent  creation all slightly stunned at the generosity and friendship that was bestowed on us from these wonderful people who I am pleased to call my friends.

We returned to the marina Captain Anne piloting the boat, all the way and  docking under the guidance of Akhmed “Well done Anne”.

We had had a wonderful day, A fantastic weeks diving with some fabulous people, and the evenings were just as much fun, we ate out every night somewhere different, went quad biking on Thursday night into the dessert.  Anne was Steve's co-pilot and I was Paul's, Anne Kept beating Steve over the head with her handbag to slow down and I was Busy Pummeling Paul's Back to go faster. (We nearly got kicked off from the Guide for messing about too much, Misery guts?).  We stopped after about an hour in the dessert to have tea at a Bedouin tent we were surrounded by mountains, sand, stars and Silence it was pretty awe inspiring , after savoring the tea and resting for a while it was time to return to base.

 Anne opted to ride home with our friendly rep Hussein (said she’d ride off into the dessert with an Arab) and Steve was left to cut loose and go mad for the rest of the journey.  We had a Brilliant night out and I want to know when can I do it again, (God I've turned into a speed freak).  

Saturday night was designated as PARTY NIGHT !!! we started at the camel club were we met everyone we had made friends with over the last week, including Nadaar, we went on to a disco called Crazy Daisy’s got in with some free tickets and got our free drink and then promptly left to go to Hardrock Cafe were we partied all night. That particular evening Anne Took it upon herself to put the world to right and was in heavy discussion with Mohammed about Religion and Politics with a bit of gardening thrown in for the fun of it namely being the Middle garden and tower regions ?.  I saw Anne at breakfast only to be told and I quote ( oh Trish I’m knackered !!!).  Now because I am so thoughtful, discreet and also full of concern for my friend I didn’t say anything , “I couldn't for laughing”, Paul and Steve didn’t make things any better through the whole of Sunday with every opportunity spent on ribbing Anne on politics, religion .  

Sunday evening we ate at the hard rock cafe for the last time saying our goodbyes to all our new friends, Anne went to talk more religion and politics with Mohammed only returning just in time for the coach to leave for the Airport.  We all agree this was the best holiday we have ever had, the most fun, the best diving, The Hottest place,, The warmest of people and the best atmosphere all round.  We are planning for next year with much enthusiasm and eagerness and the more people that can come the better, so if you want a holiday of a lifetime with more fun than you can handle with a bunch of people who know no bounds and who simply do not care,  start saving.  

NO I haven't finished yet you don't get off that lightly, before I go I would like to say  ( Just try stopping me)   that the diving part of the holiday we could not have done if it was not for some very special people, and I would like to thank my friends Martin, Graham, Andrew, Tony, Ray, Paul, and all the rest of our dive club for putting in the time and effort in teaching us how to be accomplished safe divers  allowing us to savor the beauty this sea had to offer.   Thank you.  

And to my very special friends Anne, Paul and Steve Thanks guys for being there both in and out of the water, you made this one hell of a holiday and one I will never forget .   Hugs and kisses from Aunty Trish.

Last but by no means least I want to personally say a HUGE thank you to my Hubby Shane, whom without support, love, and trust I could not have had this holiday of a lifetime.  Thank you Darling.  With all my love 

TRICIA...