Sinai News

On July 2nd, while we had our meeting with the Electricity Holding Company, some more documents were uploaded to the European Investment Bank’s website. Among them the public hearing from April 15.
How come that we find in the public hearing part of our online petition copied word by word?
Keep in mind that our online petition went public only on May 21, and some letters of complaints to various bodies were written earlier but not previous to May 17.

Mr. Essam Saad Ed-Din Khalil (EEAA: Director General for Ras Mohamed Natural Protectorate)
Nuweiba is one of the most picturesque parts of the whole southern Sinai peninsula, has an excellent and unique tourism potential, is home to two major Sinai bedouin tribes, and has an almost unique, relatively undisturbed underwater marine life.
Apart from the obvious enormous detrimental effects such a project will have on the local environment and population during the construction period, once operational, the plant will have a negative impact on the quality of air, will reduce the level of sunlight, increase noise pollution and, above all, will damage seriously and irreparably the marine life and coral reefs that lie all along the east coast of Nuweiba adjacent to where the plant is planned to be built.
Such a large power plant will also cause the eventual demise of the local tourist industry and subsequently force the closure of the hotels, dive centers and other tourist service providers in the area, resulting in the loss of jobs for the many workers within the tourism industry and the loss of livelihood for the various local businesses that service the tourism industry in Nuweiba. Tourism is a major source of income for the local Bedouin tribes so the effects on the loss of this industry is simply unimaginable.
Check it out:
http://www.eib.org/attachments/pipeline/20070382_eia7_en.pdf (page 10-11)
and Stop the Destruction of Nuweiba and its Coral Reefs Petition

Nuweiba investors, representatives of tourism businesses and representatives of the Bedouin tribes took part in a heated discussion with the Electricity Holding Company, which lasted for over 5 hours from 11 Am to 16 Pm at Nuweiba at the Hilton on June 2nd.

On June 4th, we held a follow up meeting at Basata and after a comprehensive evaluation of the pros and cons of such a power plant - located in the heart of Nuweiba – representatives of hotels, camps, dive centers and other businesses, as well as the Bedouins of both tribes came to the following conclusion:

“We welcome the offer proposed during the meeting by representatives of the Electricity Holding Company to allocate the Nuweiba Power Plant to an alternative location other than Medinat Nuweiba, which indeed met the view of all those present.”

In the beginning of August we will have another meeting with the Electricity holding company in Nuweiba.

During August we are expecting the visit of representatives of the funding banks, the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. The final decision whether the banks will fund the Nuweiba Power Plant will be taken in the beginning of September.

During the meeting with the Electricity Holding Company it became obvious that Nuweiba was the cheapest option with a gas pipeline passing nearby the main road and easy access to the huge amount of seawater required for the cooling system of the mega plant. Little attention was paid to the habitat of the location and the impacts it would have on people and businesses in Nuweiba. It came as a surprise to the guests that the nearest dive center would be adjacent to the intake pipe and not situated as assumed 3 km to the south.
A video provided by the Scuba College proved that our reefs, and here especially the one in front of the Waha Hotel, situated in the midst of the intake and discharge structures, are neither poor nor dead.

However, the Electricity Holding Company promised us the most advanced technology that will minimize negative impacts on the environment and the marine eco-system in accordance to the law of Egypt and the requirements of the funding banks.

The representatives promised to mitigate the visual impact the construction with its stacks of up to 82 meters will have on the surrounding landscape.

The representatives offered job opportunities for thousands of workers during the time of construction.

Nuweiba power plant will have a positive impact on the economy of Egypt and adding to the country’s national gross income.

The representatives promised that the Electricity Holding Company would invest in Nuweiba, eg. schools, which in case of relocation would be withdrawn.

The people of Nuweiba don’t agree that the construction and operation of such a mega plant will be without impact on the environment and on our livelihood. Nuweiba is in no need for such an enormous capacity of 750 MW.

We will loose through the construction of the intake/discharge structure:
- Temporary loss of shoreline habitat
- Permanent loss of the reef located just in the fan (near the Waha Hotel, as seen during the video presentation this reef is very much alive!)

The intake and discharge pipes might kill the reef; it will make diving and snorkeling unsafe in the immediate area.
Make no mistake, once a place is classified as unsafe for diving, snorkeling, swimming this will have a huge impact on dive tourism in all of Nuweiba and maybe beyond.

Tourism is very sensitive. It takes years to build up a good reputation. It takes a second to destroy it and eternity to rebuild it.

Tourists will shun away from any places where such a mega power plant is in operation. Sinai Tourists especially come for sun and sea. In terms of Nuweiba they come for its pristine and natural beauty.

The hi-tech plant though with all implemented safety measures and artificial beautification efforts won’t by no means attract tourists to the region. Furthermore Nuweiba will be branded as an ugly and environmentally unsafe destination.

Turbines with a height of 32 meters and the stacks with 82 meters are a disturbance and are indeed not an appealing sight for tourists on holiday.
Future will show what kind of impact the new branding of Nuweiba as an industrial town will have on the neighboring resorts Dahab and Taba.

We in Nuweiba live from tourism and tourism related businesses. As per EIA report and as promised during the meeting, job opportunities will open for the local population.

Only 5% of the 3000 jobs on offer are appropriate for the local population. We simply fail to have the required qualities for the jobs on offer.
In fact the work force will originate from other places than Nuweiba.
As mentioned in the study, the labor camp will sustain itself through the establishment of shops, office buildings, clinics, conference rooms, mosque, etc. on compound. Hence, even benefits for the shopkeepers and suppliers are limited to the very early stage of construction.

Conclusion:

Nuweiba Power Plant can’t be compared to any operational plants elsewhere in Egypt, not Ain Sokhna on the Gulf of Suez, nor in overpopulated Giza, etc. How come that the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba are protected with the EXCEPTION of the waters of Nuweiba?

The local population was not considered at all during the time of environmental and social assessment studies. Nobody ever consulted anybody of the local dive centers, tourism establishments and of the local population as the first source of information during the two years long studies.

Thus it explains some incorrect figures in the EIA. E.g. a video presentation proved that the reef in front of the fan is far from poor or already dead. The nearest dive center lies only a few meters from the intake pipe – not 3 kilometers, aso.

The construction of the Nuweiba Power Plant will ultimately alter the picture of present Nuweiba. It will be the end of tourism. Nuweiba will become an industrial zone midway between Taba and Dahab, and this merely due to the location of the power plant in the heart of the tourist settlement and primarily due to its distasteful visual impact for kilometers.

Nuweiba’s present population will be forced to move away, some already as soon as construction starts, and consequently will give way to the equal amount of workers and later to the 300 permanent employees of the power plant.

Nuweiba will not attract future tourism investments. Land prices will drop dramatically.
It might as well be that the example of Nuweiba might alarm potential foreign and domestic tourism investors.

It is Ramadan and everything slows down a bit in these days. Ramadan means that Muslims abstain from food and drink during the daylight hours for the next 29 – 30 days. It also means contemplation.
In Sinai there is a place where contemplation is part of life. Alexandria Beach is for the traveler who looks for simplicity and the feeling of oneness with nature and beyond. Accommodation is simple in spacey thatched bungalows with a mattress on the floor. It is not very luxurious, but it is very clean. Nevertheless, nature spoils you with luxuruy. The sunrise over the Gulf of Aqaba, the wide sandy beach with coral riffs in reach, the mystical colors of the sunset make up for an unforgettable holiday retreat.
Alexandria is the perfect place for yoga and meditation.
Meditation seminars are hold frequently. The upcoming events by Michael Ostarek and Bhakti B. Hardy are scheduled for Sep 21 – 24 and Oct 14 – 18 titled Silence In You. Participants are welcome to book: alexandriabeach@hotmail.com
Alexandria Beach is just at the edge of Bir Sweir midway between Taba and Nuweiba and run by Bilal. Of Sudanese origin, he is a perfect host, who knows very well to spoil you with original Sudanese food and drinks while at the same time he respects your privacy.

Alexandria Beach in Bir Sweir
Yoga on the beach at sunset

Said’s camp in the area of Ras al Shatteen is one of the last places along the coast where the real Sinai - as we all used to know it - is very much alive: simplicity and the natural easy going hospitality, no electricity, but zillion stars, space to breathe. The silent presence of Said and his son make sure that your privacy is not disturbed. On the other side they are happy to share their tremendous knowledge with those who are interested.

Said’s camp consists of goat hair tents. The public showers are basic and clean. The restaurant serves simple and good food and plenty of tea flavored with herbs from the mountains.
This is a place to hang out, charge your battery and just be. Untamed nature and scenery are as powerful as they had always been.
For reservation: 010-5884617

Here is our recommendation where to can have a special dining event in Nuweiba.
Located in Nuweiba directly on the beach Habiba Village is the only non-chain camp and restaurant in Sinai at the moment that implements food and health safety issues in its daily operation.

In April Habiba Village has received the ‘Silver Cristal Plaque’ in recognition of achievement in obtaining good standards of hygiene by implementing the policies of the E-Cristal System Programs based on the principles of the HACCP system’.
Cristal is the Middle East branch of the UK based Check Safety First Group.
www.checksafetyfirst.com / www.cristalme.com

Habiba is famous for seafood. The dining event can take place in the indoor restaurant Mataamak or in authentic Sinai atmosphere on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba or in the evening under the million stars.
www.sinai4you.com/habiba

Congratulation Habiba Team!

Two weeks after the terrible attack in Dahab people are getting back to normality and tourists are enjoying holiday activities again like diving and safari tours. In team work with tourists Dahab residents are repairing their damaged shops, painting them in friendly colors wiping out the traumatic experience burnt into their hearts.

The only place that again seems to suffer a decline in tourism in the aftermaths of the Dahab attack is Nuweiba.
Nuweiba mainly depends on Israeli tourism crossing Taba border. Since the Intifada in the year 2000 tourism in Nuweiba is hit very hard and the lively town went into a deep sleep that was disturbed only once, 4 years later. Israelis, who scared and warned against traveling to any Arab country, started to slowly return to Sinai and to Nuweiba when Taba happened and dramatically ended the revival of Israeli tourism before it even begun.

It is not that Nuweiba is not interested in attracting different nationalities, it just has no alternative. Destinations are dictated by tour operators and tour operators live from mass production and are interested in filling their allotments in chain hotels preferable near the airports in Taba or Sharm el Sheikh.
In terms of renowned hotels Nuweiba has got only the Hilton to offer and a very few other 4 stars in the nearby area. The majority in the hospitality industry are family run camps and small hotels that in no way lack any of the friendly services of a 5 star.

Nuweiba is a perfect gateway for adventure and eco-tourism. Though not the best diving destination in Sinai, one must not fear to bump into another group of fellow divers while exploring the reefs, rich in fish and corals. Nuweiba is also an excellent location to combine a leisure holiday including a tour to Cairo and the Pyramids or even to enjoy historical Petra in Jordan on a one day trip.
As a laid back destination Nuweiba offers good food in local restaurants, shopping opportunities in the bazaars and tranquility. It is about time to break the spell Nuweiba is suffering from for over 6 years - and also hotel guests in the area are invited to spend a day in the little settlement.

A last word about security measures in Sinai. Security is very tight and in comparison to years ago when Sinai was enjoying bliss freedom it has become a prison with many restrictions - invisible to the common tourist though. Terrorists have succeeded to destroy a peaceful paradise and the reputation of the indigenous people of Sinai, the Bedouins. A desert dweller is prone to survival in a harsh and hostile desert environment with little resources. It seems almost impossible that a Bedouin could ever engage in a suicide attack.

Quadrunners in Taba
Taba offers now the opportunity to explore the mountainous desert terrain on a Quad runner excursion. Quad runners are like four wheel motorbikes seating one or two people. It does not need any experience and after a short introduction and equipped with safety gear professional guides take you out in a convoy to explore the mountain desert on a well designed track with exciting highlights, enjoying impressive scenery in a thrilling and fun way.

Kite surfing in Mahash
New in Nuweiba is the kite boarding center located in Mahash. Mahash with its sandy 1500 m long beaches is ideal for those who are new to kite boarding. The wind direction is towards the shore, a safety factor for those new to kiting, and the wind is not very strong, but guaranteed 300 days a year.

Here is an idea to spend a holiday doing something different. The only Camel Riding School in Nuweiba offers lectures and courses for groups. The camel naturally causes curiosity. At Habiba Village local Bedouins teach about the camel and its nature. Available are intro courses and a 3 day camel riding course with an in length dive into Bedouin culture and a great occasion to learn about the camel and the Sinai desert.
The more adventurous traveler might like to experience the real desert on camel back. Advanced camel treks can last from 3 to 10 days. Here the tourist takes part in the daily routine, collecting firewood, cooking on campfire and of course practice how to care for his camel under the guidance of the Bedouin.
Over the years the once nomadic Bedouins have more or less settled down. Lifestyle has changed completely. Bedouins are still on the tough road of adapting to this new way of life. The camel riding school presents a chance for Bedouins to earn from tourism providing their precious treasure, the ancient knowledge about survival in a hostile desert environment.