Sinai

On Mount Sinai

Time is flying, we have to get going otherwise we won't reach Holland in time. On our way to the Sinai we stopped at Suez to see the Canal. Indeed we saw the Canal, but unfortunately no ships. They were all in the distance. We did not want to wait so we moved on through the tunnel underneath the Canal which was actually very short. We were in the Sinai. After seeing the Red sea again we went through the desert to St Katherine's Monastery. This monastery is very close to the Mount Sinai. It has been a place of pilgrimage since the 4th century. We stayed in the guesthouse and went to bed early. As many other people we wanted to climb the Mount Sinai, the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. It is also a place of pilgrimage for Christians, Muslims and Jews.

At 2.30 am we started our walk and we were not alone. Lots of people took a camel and walk down, but not this family. It was dark, no moon and actually it was good that we could not see the road we were taking because it was long and steep. Especially the last 750 rock hewn steps are killing. But we made it and saw the sunset. The sunset coloured the mountains red in an unforgettable manner.

After coming back around 8 am, we had our breakfast and saw the monastery which had a very beautiful chapel.

Then it was time to relax and we hurriedly drove in 1 hour to Dahab, a nice place close to the reef. Lots of divers stay here for diving courses and so on. But we wanted a sandy beach and a windsurfers paradise which we found. Relaxing, reading, surfing, Bart and Evert are getting a feeling for it now, and sunbathing, what a bliss.

On Saturday we are on our way to Jordan. We were told that leaving Egypt is as difficult as entering Egypt. Not something to look forward to, but we will let you know.