Monday, November 01, 2010

HURGHADA Red Sea Egypt

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Yesterday evening I came back from Hurghada at the Red Sea in Egypt where I had spent 2 weeks. This was the 4th time. Hurghada is nothing special, it was founded in the early 20th century, and since the 1980s has been continually enlarged by Egyptian and foreign investors to become the leading seashore resort on the Red Sea.

Holiday villages and hotels provide aquatic sport facilities for sailboarders, yachtsmen, scuba divers and snorkelers.Hurghada stretches for about 36 kilometres (22 mi) along the seashore, and it does not reach far into the surrounding desert. It is for Egyptian tourists from Cairo, the Delta and Upper Egypt, as well as package holiday tourists from Europe, lots of people from the Eastern countries like Hungarians, Poles, Bulgarians etc and also a lot of Russian speaking people. There were languages I had never heard ! The rest were guests from western countries like the UK, Holland, Italy and Germany.

Until a few years ago it was a small fishing village. Today Hurghada counts 248,000 inhabitants and is divided into three parts: Downtown (El Dahar) is the old part; Sekalla is the city center, and El Memsha (Village road) is the modern part. Sakkala is the relatively modest hotel quarter.

It's the ideal place for spending real holidays not for visiting the Egyptian tresors. Sunshine is guaranteed the whole year, the cooler months are January and February with sometimes thunderstorms.

I stayed in the Hotel Sunrise Holidays Resort, which is a very nice hotel and would suit for all ages from 0 to 90 ! The only problem I had was that they didn't have free Internet Connection and I had to pay 50 € for a week using my own laptop ! One hour was 5 € ! Exhorbitant prices for a 5* hotel and not very customer friendly ! This was the first time it happened to me in a hotel ! 5* in Egypt is not the same as 5* in European countries. They are real palaces, but of course you don't have the same service, for only 1200 € flight included and all inclusive you can't expect miracles. But the rooms are clean and there is everything you need. I really have spent very nice holidays.

Hurghada by night ! Lots of tourists, lots of shops and a lot of animation

The hotel entrance

around the beach

Inside of the hotel

A belly dancer show

and that's what I see outside today ! That's my world again !

18 comments:

Jim said...

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Kay L. Davies said...

I'm glad you had a good vacation, that's what counts.
Imagine a place growing that fast -- amazing! Tourism can do that, of course. Once the hotels start moving in, nothing is ever the same again from the local point of view, but there is employment, which is a good thing, and of course the tourists have a great time.
-- Kay

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Sylvia K said...

Sounds and looks as though you had a great vacation, Gattina! That place has grown fast, hasn't it? Wow! I know you dread the cold weather, but it's still good to get home and I know the kitties were delighted to see you! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

How beautiful an escape in the middle of the night. Thank you for your effort and sharing such great pictures. Please have a wonderful Tuesday.

daily athens

Rajesh said...

Beautiful shots of the place. Truly idealplace for relaxing.

diane b said...

Well that weather outside today would really get your feet back on the ground quickly after having such a heavenly holiday.

Gracie said...

Beautiful photos as usual....I'm sure you had a lot of fun, now be ready for a far worse weather back in Europe....

Maribeth said...

Ah yes, but there is dear Arthur, so happy to see you!

Trotter said...

Hi Gattina! In some countries one has to be careful chosing the five star hotels... ;) Anyhow, this looks nice, though it doesn't look very much Egypt... ;)

After four posts, Blogtrotter Two is leaving Algiers 2009... Enjoy and have a great week ahead!

MaR said...

It looks like a lovely place despite the fact of not being cooperative with the blogging world. Glad you had a nice time with loads of sunshine.

Margaret said...

Gattina,
I usually go to your cats' blog, but I love this one as well.
Margaret

Marina said...

It's one of my dreams to visit Egypt! This country looks very mysterious to me...

Marina said...

Egypt was great but I can think you sitting next to that window of yours, having a hot cup of coffee....

sonia a. mascaro said...

Great photos! Sounds you have a lot of fun on your trips!

Nice the picture of "your world".

James said...

It looks like you had a warm and wonderful time. I'm sorry that we couldn't meet but we both had great vacations. :)

JO said...

I would love to visit Egypt someday... thanks for sharing.

And thanks for visiting my blog!

Lifecruiser Photo Playground said...

Oh, I don't know what's the worst: seeing that gorgeous vacation spot, or your rain - or the gray, snowy and windy weather we have over here right now!!!

One day we'll probably go to Egypt too. When the right time is...

Marina said...

Merry Christmas!!! Love, health and happiness in your life...!!!

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I love writing, traveling and photography. . I am German, married to an Italian and we live in Waterloo (15 km from Brussels) / Belgium since many years. Waterloo is a famous place to many tourists, because Napoleon lost his battle here against Wellington and other European countries.

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