Sinai News

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.