Sunday in Dahab

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Sunday, June 10,

Dahab is a city which grew up around the Red Sea dive site “The Blue Hole”

It became famous and busy, frequented mostly by divers and backpackers, and was apparently a place where a cheap good time was available, along with cheap drugs as well. Last April a bomb went off in Dahab and tourism is way off, particularly from Americans, who are so noticeably absent that merchants frequently asked us why there were so few American tourists compared with previous years. I guess the predominant tourist these days is Russian or German.

We haven’t seen a whole lot of other tourists, either. And there are 20 or so restaurants with cushioned seats right on the water ready to serve you fresh sea bass, calimari, snapper and shrimp at prices which will truly make your eyes water.

For instance, last night I had a dinner of fresh calimari; and this is giant squid, not the little rubber bandy things you so often see. This calamari is cut into pencil sized strips and grilled with peppers and onions. The dinner comes with 5 or 6 appetizer dips, fresh baked egyptian bread, rice and banana crepes desert. All that for 7.00. Including tax and tip. A bottle of Stella beer is $2.00 with dinner, or you can stop at a liquor store and bring your own beer or wine. I had a hard time finishing the large portion of calimari, and it was excellent.

Dahab is still kind of rough around the edges. There is lots of unfinished development, trash everywhere, the town is populated by hawkers and merchants whose starting price is always triple what you want to pay. In hour hotel the shower is best described as a drizzle, and it is a salt water shower so soap really doesn’t work.

But the air conditioning does work, and bottled water is about 25 cents for 1 ½ liters.

Today we traveled just North of Dahab to the Blue Hole at Dahab, an apparently world famous deep sea dive site. I just went to snorkel but Dennis is a certified deep water diver, so he was able to rent equipment for about $25 and dive into this and other local dive sites.

The visibility was about 30 meters; very clear and this area has an abundance of colorful fish swimming in the coral reef along the coast and around the Blue Hole site. I’m sure that if I were a diving enthusiast this would be a very special place to visit.

June 11, 2007: This is our last day in Dahab, as we are off for Jordan. First across the red sea by ferry to Aquaba, and then on to camp at Wadi Rum, Lawrence of Arabia’s desert headquarters.

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Photos

The Blue Hole dive site
80 meters deep and local lore says some go down and don't come up because of the complexity of the dive

Cheesburger,Cheesburger
local food on the beach

Hotel Sphinx in Dahab
Air conditioning, salt water drizzle showers, what more could you want

Dahab Seaside Restaurants
Great fresh seafood and dining on the beach

Trash is a big problem
No trash collection? Just pile it by the road and burn it

Rachelle and her Drum
The little drummer girl

Comments

[Cuz Beth]

Dahub is more my speed!
Hi Bill, Dahub is really pretty! The trash reminds me of the Palenstians trashing their territory in Israel - supposedly b/c they're only "rentors" not "owners." Oh well. The blue hole is gorgeous and the cuisine sounds infinitely better than anything you've had to date. Yes - I like the price but even the cheap prices on the previous cuisine would have left me wanting given the local cuisine of tomato sauce over mystery meat, etc., (except for McD's which I bet was a welcome relief after the more local fare!). Salt water trickle showers, sound like a hoot, but at least the lobby looks charming! I'm really enjoying your writings and love the accompanying pics!!!! God speed! Love, Beth