The Unplanned Adventure Continues…
So after the long camel ride from the Blue Hole to Ras Abu Gallum we were eager to unpack our gear, have my new favourite drink Bedouin tea and then jump into the water.
On the surface Ras Abu Gallum is beautiful but under the water, well it is a dive paradise! Literally just meters from the shoreline is a vast, complex and incredible underwater coral reef. There was huge amounts of fire, mosaic to salad coral. Incredible vibrant coral. Schools of colourful fish swam in and out of the coral. From the moon grouper, napolean fish, bi-colour parrot fish to the odd looking humphead parrot fish each time you turn around a new fish is strolling over to you. My heart skipped a beat when a school of barracudas swam by.
Ras Abu Gallum has been a protected national park since 1993. Not only are the fauna and flora protected here, but also the habitat of the Bedouin, who still live a life relatively free from the influence of tourism. Besides our small group of people swimming in the water and two divers from Holland the only other people we saw were two Bedouins fishing, they have the right to fish in this protected area, to all others fishing is prohibited.
Getting tired we finally forced ourselves out of the underwater wonder, relaxed in the sun and then enjoyed some lunched cooked by the Bedouins. After lunch we went for a walk. As I looked across the water I saw another large mountain coastline. Just then my phone beeped to tell me I had a text message. It read, ” Wataniya (my Kuwait phone provider) Welcomes you to Saudi-Arabia! Dial 112 in case of emergency Kuwait Dipolmatic mission is 0096614883500/4883401. Call for assistance if needed.” We were so close to Saudi-Arabia that my phone actually though I was in Saudi!
We continued to walk until we came to some rocks placed in a giant circle and a line of rocks. Thinking this was some Bedouin art or symbol with historic meaning I asked, “what we were looking at?’ The answer was sometimes people get bored here.” I couldn’t help but laugh because that in a nutshell sums up the Bedouin life. Unaffected, simple and practical. They deal with the tourist but don’t let the tourist shape them. After seeing several cultures, from the people of Honduras to the Nubians, change or bend to go after the tourist dollars it was refreshing to see a people who could take or leave the almighty dollar.
Before diner we went snorkeling in search of more fish and giant turtles! Such wonderful creatures to be seen. As the sunset we prepared camp for the evening. I am not a big camping fan. Most of the time my idea of camping includes a Marriott Hotel however when pulled out the candles, unpacked giant blankets and started dinner I knew that the night sky here was worth all the hassle of camping. So far from any type of power or street lights each star in the sky sparkled the way it was created to do. It was like a black canvas filled with little bursts of pure white light.
With a backdrop like that we had no choice to head to the beach and dance under the stars! The waves rolled in and the stars sparkled down and my heart was smiling. Sometimes days blur together, you get caught up with work, routine and the ho hum of daily living. It is moments like dancing under the stars in Ras Abu Gallum that remind you that each day is truly a gift. A precious gift to be made the most of!
“Hurry. You don’t want to keep your camel waiting!“
A Good Day at the Edfu Temple
We arrived at Edfu temple, about 60 miles north of Aswan, just after sunrise. The air was clean and it seemed that some how the sun was peaking through every corner of the temple. Before we entered the temple we took the standard tourist photos. As everyone posed for photos, the Silver Fox gracefully slide up to two Japanese tourists posing for a photo. He put his arm around them and smiled. They laughed and gleefully took their picture with him, always a kidder that Silver Fox.
I later learned that the temple had been brilliantly designed so that the sunlight could reach each corner of the temple. No electricity required to bring in the sunshine, just proper design.
Edufu was also designed so that the King could see out but nobody could see into his temple. They have also found a tunnel under the temple that leads straight to the Nile. What a wonderful escape route if needed.
As I explored the temple I branched off from the tour to follow a Bedouin man. As gatekeepers of the temples they often engage the tourist, for a small fee. It was interesting to have him point out the characters engraved on the temple walls. We walked up and down stairs. I peeked through a locked gate and wished we could stand outside. Quietly he produced a key and silently unlocked the gate for me. It was interesting to stand on the second floor of the Edfu temple, although I realized that for safety reasons it did make a lot of sense not to have large number of tourists stand on a crumbing balcony.
I sat outside the temple for awhile, soaking in the sunshine and marveling at the wonder of all the Egyptian people had created. When a kind man wished me good morning in Arabic I knew it really was a good morning.
People surprise you if you let them.
People amaze you if you let them.
Kuwait City, KUWAIT