RED SEA TO EGYPT

We have now arrived in Egypt as you can see. It took 19 days to sail up the Red Sea to Port Ghalib due to strong headwinds which necessitated taking refuge in desert anchorages called marsas. We were visited by local fishermen who in exchange for a mask and snorkel gave us fresh fish for supper. Port Ghalib is a purpose built marina resort in the middle of the desert. This is a popular dive resort. Entrance to the harbour is marked by a wrecked yacht which illustrates what can go wrong. The restaurants and bars are very expensive. However the moorings are comfortable. We took a day trip to Al Qusayr the old port 50 miles up the coast. Desert all the way apart from half finished resorts. Restaurant prices in local towns are more reasonable. Houses are painted with illustrations to commemorate a pilgrimage to Mecca and the Haj. They also illustrate how they travelled to Mecca. Tomorrow we move on to Hurgada 120 miles up the coast and will be visiting Luxor from there.