Jeep Safari Tour

Our resort offered a variety of excursions, mostly for diving/snorkeling yet it was the one out into the desert that we signed up for. Bob was so curious as to what the desert would be like!
Our group conisted of all Italians and us, enough for two jeeps. "Abri" our guide kindly let me sit up front with the driver, in the "princess seat" while Bob was sandwiched in the back, a much bumpier ride. 
Once we left the highway and set out across the flats, our preconceived desert images were quickly altered. Miles of endless dirt and rocky ridges and mountains and no sand in sight, nor any sagebrush. In fact there wasn't hardly any vegetation save the occasional solitary tree which for the Bedouins meant there was water.  The two jeeps climbed a ridge and after a short hike we enjoyed a 360 degree panoramec view, so different and expansive.

Next we visited a Bedouin village, tucked away in the mountains. We drank hot tea in glasses, then lined up for a short camel ride. All my life I've enjoyed horseback riding yet this was to be my first ever camel ride. The camel was resting on the ground with his legs tucked underneath so it was easy to climb onto his back. Once he stood up, I was amazed at how high up I was! Then his gait was so foreign to me, moving with a waddle. Bob and I had fun riding and sharing this new experience.
When it came time to dismount, the camel folded his front legs on the ground, pitching me forward, for a split second I was sure I was going to land on his head, yet managed to right myself in time. I forgot to hold on to the back saddle horn.

Bedouin village

We watched the sunset, enjoyed a buffet dinner and show (not very polished) and rode back across the desert a 40km drive, no roads, good thing the driver knew where he was going. At one point we stopped to take in the starry sky, never finding the big dipper but so enjoyed the view.

Red Sea Egypt

While we were in Italy we heard about the Red Sea resorts, Canada's equivalent to Cancun Mexico, lots of inexpensive all-inclusive resorts strung out along the Red Sea. Very safe as the resorts have their own airport, so you fly directly to the resort area, bypassing Cario. We arranged a one week trip to Paradise Friends Flamenco Beach and Resort. www.flamencohotels.com . We booked our "holiday within a holiday" at a travel agent in Varello Italy. Got a great last minute 2 for 1 deal. We arrived late got settled in our room and woke up to the sound of the surf. Our room was 50 steps to the pool (Sally counted them) and about the same to the sea with a view of both from our room.
Some highlites included. Endless sunshine, ocean breezes 27 to 30 degree days, cool nights, great snorkling on a coral reef just off the resort pier, volley ball games every afternoon, great food wonderful salads and desserts, English satellite TV after a month of no English TV. Rest and relaxation after travelling. 

Home sweet home

Salad bar

Paradise Beach Resort

The resort pier

The reef from the pier

Shared our dinners with Marceline from Geneva who lived at the resort for 2 months each year.

The luxury of travelling in retirement is being able to change one's plans. We were able extend our holiday for another week, so we could continue to enjoy perfect weather in confort in Egypt.