Sinai syndrome - Dahab, an amazing place for wintering

Remember the phrase: "Mom, can I have at least five more minutes?" Many years have passed, and sometimes I still want to take a little delay, and not only from sleep, but from the summer that suddenly ended. There are really a lot of answers to the question of where else you can warm your bones before the onset of a long winter. We will tell you about one of the most interesting and at the same time available options today.

For many, the mere mention of a trip to Egypt causes a slight smile and unpleasant memories of the consequences of "all inclusive", others are covered with nostalgia for the first trips abroad, photos of "I'm on a camel against the pyramids" in the album and plaster figurines of pharaohs buried under a centuries-old layer of dust of storerooms. But let's leave the rivers of alcohol and the storming of the buffet in "star" hotels and go to a place where there is everything you need to "refuel" before the long winter, and most importantly, peace and comfort. Today we will tell you about Dahab, a tiny town on the Red Sea, which was one of the first to open the doors for fans of extreme sports and freedom tired of cities.

Hiding behind With the Sinai Mountains far from the rest of the world, Dahab managed to dodge the main blow of the "tourism development" that befell other resorts of the country. Yes, over time, an asphalt embankment with all its hotels, restaurants, banks and supermarkets appeared next to the old town, and camels and their Bedouin drivers from the once only inhabitants of these lands gradually turned into attractions living literally across the street.

But in general, the spirit of freedom from the "benefits" and vanity of civilization has been preserved here and there is everything necessary to dissolve in an atmosphere of absolute tranquility and comprehend the full force of the surrounding nature of the East. It is not surprising that this cozy corner, blown by the winds and washed by the warm waters of the sea, became one of the first places where pale-faced idlers from all over the world and Russia in particular.

As you guessed, Dahab does not have its own airport. Perhaps that is why it remains one of the most peaceful and cozy resorts in Egypt. The nearest place to the city where you can land will be the Sharm el-Sheikh Airport located a hundred kilometers to the south. The visa is issued upon arrival (costs $ 25), which means that the main task is to have a passport and snatch the first tickets that come along. By the way, Dahab is one of those places where you can fall in without thinking about booking accommodation, especially if you are not trying to get into a hotel, but are ready to live in a campsite, rent a house or even a floor from locals. Here it is quite developed, and the issue of housing with all amenities can be solved for some 7-20 dollars a day. And in general, friendly locals who know why people are fleeing from cities to this oasis of peace will help you with any questions of organizing everyday life and leisure.

Here, not the fastest, but really delicious fast food with falafels, traditional oriental sweets, penny fruits and vegetables of various shapes and colors, and, of course, a large number of barefoot bars and cafes that create excellent competition for "civilized establishments", of which there are also a lot.

Strange as it may seem, but the pursuit of the wind and immersion in underwater worlds are inextricably linked here by not always perceptible threads of friendship and mutual assistance. It's not even that a small town and both sects live in water, only on different sides of it. Those who are sated with underwater beauties are sent under sail or kite, and in calm weather, visiting tourists are sent to dive. Due to the rich relief, the wind on the Egyptian side of the Gulf of Aqaba almost never subsides, which is why it is not as stuffy here as in other regions of the country.

Again, due to the small width of the bay, storms do not come to the coast of Dahab. It is these factors that explain such an extensive community of "windy" heads that have flown here from all over the world. For anyone who has not yet had time to get under a kite or sail, but has already presented the difficulties of communicating with foreign instructors and falling on sharp reefs, it is worth noting that both problems can be avoided by the presence of Russian surf stations and a lagoon with a sandy bottom that forgives any mistakes.

It is rumored that even the officials in charge of this area do not know the exact number of Dahab dive centers (there are several Russians among them). Why here? The Gulf of Aqaba is home to the world's northernmost coral reef ecosystem, with all their stunning diversity of life, underwater canyons and the legendary "Blue Hole".

In total, there are more than 30 dive sites in the Dahab area, the main charm of which is the possibility of diving from the shore, which greatly facilitates the process of training and transporting equipment. The decisive factor was the absence of storms and a pleasant water temperature, the average of which is 23 degrees. It is difficult to imagine a more convenient and picturesque place for snorkeling, all stages of diving and freediving training. Actually, this is what half of the entire population of Dahab lives for.

By the way, it is not necessary to comprehend Zen by dissolving into the surrounding landscape. In any case, at first you just need to travel around and look around. There is really something to watch, do not forget that you are on the most ancient land, where several thousand years ago there were more interesting things than a foam party in Sharm el-Sheikh. Climb Mount Jebel Musa, where, according to legend, Moses received from God the tablets with the ten commandments, the monastery of St. Catherine — the oldest currently operating in the world, canyons of unknown shapes and colors, oases, sand dunes and other interesting places that can replace the pyramids and the sphinx.

If you get tired of driving along the roads trampled by tourists, there is an option to "hide" and stay in the real Bedouin village of Ras Abu Galum in the north of Dahab. Any departures easily fit into the framework of one daylight day, and jeeps invariably serve as the main transport. By the way, if you look at the map of the Sinai Peninsula, you will notice Israel to the north of Dahab. Despite the difficult relations between the neighbors, you will be released without any problems to see the Israeli sights and will also be allowed back without any problems.

Pleasant prices, the availability of the Internet and a fairly mild punishment for an expired visa - all this creates a serious risk of turning the "week before winter" into a full-fledged winter. Therefore, if you have a family and a cat, it is better to come immediately with them and without return tickets.