Sharm El Sheikh

Last weekend we took a trip to the Sinai Peninsula.  Unfortunately, most of the peninsula is off limits due to the lack of security.  The one town open to us (as we can fly directly to it from Cairo) is Sharm El Sheikh, a very popular Red Sea resort location.  It was too cold to see some of the amazing coral reefs all around the peninsula, but we hope to return in a couple of months to go snorkeling. 

We stayed at the Four Seasons resort, which is very elegant.

My favorite part was all of the green spaces.  I can't imagine how much water it takes to keep it green, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for the few days we were there!

The water was very clear, we could see some of the coral reef and the fish just by sitting on the jetty and looking down.

About a mile off of the beach was Tiran Island.  This is considered by some to be the place where the Red Sea parted, allowing the Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, to escape Egypt.  Mt. Sinai is also close to Sharm El Sheikh, as well as St. Catherine's Monastary, where it is claimed the Burning Bush was located. 

Being far from any city, the air was super clean and clear.  We were lucky enough to be there during a full moon, something that is impossible to see in Cairo in any of its phases!