Yesterday morning we took the fast ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba, it was easy enough to buy our tickets at the port, we were stamped out of Jordan, paid our departure tax and bused across to the ferry. It was such a smooth journey it was unreal, and in no time we were docking at Nuweiba - Egypt.
Although it was only an hour across the Gulf of Aqaba, what a difference we noticed when we arrived, unlike Jordan which was fairly organised and everything ran like clockwork, Egypt is completly different, and in a way it was like a breath of fresh air, we came off of the ferry, without our passports as we had to hand them in on the boat for our stamp, we diddnt yet have our Egyptian visa, so upon arrival we went to the Bank Of Alexandria at the port to buy it, before going to immigration to get our passports back. The bank was closed and we bought our visas from a guy in the street who happened to have a couple of visa stamps! At first we said no, but then he bought a policeman over who said that it was ok! Just imagine! Off we then went to the immigration office and we were told to stick our visas in our passports ourselves and then he did a little skwiggle across the stamps....and hey ho...its official! As you can imagine...we were most amused at the relaxed attitude of it all!
We had yet to get some Egyptian Pounds ( so organised!), but had to wait awhile for a security check before we were allowed out of the port, when we were a taxi driver tryed to accost us! We told him that we were taking a bus, but he followed us around as we walked around trying to locate an ATM, eventually a service taxi with other backpackers pulled up and offered us a good price to take us to Dahab, so we jumped in, he stopped at the ATM for us so that we could draw some money, and would you believe it...the taxi driver was sitting in front of the ATM waiting for us!
The drive to Dahab was just short of an hour, and from what we could see the Sinai peninsula looks really beautiful. We found a room without any trouble, we are staying in an room with air con, ensuite and fridge (which is dead handy), and a sea view for about 5 pounds a night each - bargain!
We are going to stay here for a week, because after the non stop travel since Turkey we are a bit knackered!
Dahab is beautiful, such blue waters and golden sands, the seafront is lined with restaurants and beach shops, and you can see Saudi Arabia in the distance. Last night we were finally able to get.....Dun dun dun....STEAK AND CHIPS!!!!!
And we found Cadburys chocolate when we were in Aqaba!
So, here we are now in Egypt chilling out in Dahab on the Sinai peninsula, we are going to relax in the sunshine and swim in the sea, maybe try scuba diving and take a day tour up to St.Katherines Monastrey and Mount Sinai....But nothing thats too much like hard work!
Love and miss you all
Ali and Matt
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