Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa Hurghada

... we were able to go inside the 6th century Church of Transfiguration. This church is an ornately decorated chapel with a nave flanked by massive marble columns and walls covered in richly gilded icons and paintings. St. Catherine’s remains also are interred here. High above the altar, there is a beautiful mosaic depicting the Biblical account of the transfiguration of Christ – an absolutely stunning artistic work. I thought the church was very ...

... I guess we all wanted a break from baba ghanoush – haha). I was feeling a little off at that point, so I was back in the room by 9:00pm, ready to hit the hay early tonight. However, our leaking hotel room toilet had other plans for us, so we didn’t turn in until after 11pm. AHHHHHHH! It will be another early start tomorrow morning (6:30am!). I don’t know if I can keep up this tough pace… but again, what would I have left out?!

Not much to blog today except that I managed to find the Singapore GP
on the TV. Unfortunately on a German station but at least I managed to
watch it at least.

Can't remember if I mentioned on the diving days I spotted an Osprey
nest on one of the marina entrance marker bouys. On the second day
both Ospreys were standing together ...

Our 20th wedding anniversary today which started with some shopping
and then the hotel offered us a free meal tonight mainly because of
the problems at dinner last night but also because of our anniversary.

Rest of the day is quiet with a relax by the pool this afternoon
because it is has been really hot today and it helped us cool off.

Dinner tonight was excellent in the hotels al la carte restaurant
which was all the better because it was free!

Meryl's Birthday and we spent the day on the dive clubs boat going out
to Dolphin Point to do snorkelling. It was pretty good to see the fish
again like yesterday plus we got to see a few dolphins as well.

Got back to the hotel around 5pm and guess what? Another cake has
arrived! Woo hoo!

Going for dinner tonight on the side of the marina with a show as well.

... and kept me alive so I am grateful to him.

We went to a show tonight after dinner which was put on by the
animation team. It was supposed to be dance routines to movie songs
but sadly dancing does not seem to be their main talent, bless, they
tried hard.

And the birthday cake has finally gone after lurking in the room for a
few days.

Diving in the pool this morning was fantastic. Although I was a little
paniky at first I managed to do the basic skills like clearing water
from the visor and taking the regulator out under water without too
much of a problem. Was well impressed by having 8 wieghts around me
cause I thought I was quite heavy enough on my own, my instructor only
had 4! But ...

... And the good thing is that because our hotel had an agreement with the nice resort hotel across the street, we could use the amenities there.
Our breakfast was included today and we went across the street for it plus we could also use the pools (yes there were several) plus the hotel had its own patch of beach along the sea.
We had the morning to ourselves with most of us taking the time to just chill out.
We left Hurghada at 2pm with a long drive ahead of us. We were ...

... of us tonight as Rob & Vicky joined us for tea down at the marina. In contrast to the rest of Hurghada, it was quiet and peaceful without any souvenir shops to hassle us. It was completely different and seemed a lot more affluent. As a result, we were able to take our time choosing a restaurant and managed to pick out a Lebanese joint of all places. It turned out to be the best meal I have had so far ...

... the desert by Pharoah's army. I'd imagine my journey was a little more pleasant. I wonder what the pharonic histories say about that episode? Anyone know? Anyway, the answer was no, not do-able. It weren't gonna part for me either. I also realised that Eid was fast approaching and I needed to get to Cairo before then to check the status of my Libyan visa...had Gadaffi decided to let me in? I hope so or my journey ...