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Hey All,

Well nipped off to Sharm Al Sheikh for Eid. Pretty cool place, but a little too touristy for my liking.

The diving is excellent, loads to see.

Took a little trip to the St Catherine monastery which is on Mount Sinai. Around 25 Greek Orthodox Monks live there, one has been there 15 years. They have a slightly maccabre ceremony everyday where they bring out the head and hand of St Catherine, who was persecuted and killed for her Christianity.

Interesting to note that the Monks allowed a mosque to be built inside the monastery walls next to the church so that people of all faiths are welcome to worship there. The place has so much history and relevance in Biblical terms, housing the alleged burning bush and situated under Mount Sinai where Mosses received the ten commandments from God.

Amazing scenery and well worth going on some of the tours.

Naama Bay is pretty cool, went to check out Pacha, man what a club!!!! They're projecting to have one in Dubai, I'm telling you now if it comes they'll clean up.

Had a good time, although the place seemed to have been invaded by Russians seeking longer days and a bit of sunshine.

I heard a lot of good things about Sharm Al-Sheikh, but like yourself, I'm not a big fan of overly "touristic" sites.

St.Catherine's monastery is a must-see, here's a link to a relevant page about her history (Scroll down) http://www.womensaid.ie/pages/HOW/sinai/mount.htm . "She was she was severely tortured for her Christian faith, and eventually put to death by Emperor Maximus whom she tried to convert from paganism. " ....etc. Emperor Maximus (A Roman obviously) is someone I would not like to be around .

Another place I've visited, is Aleppo, in Northern Syria. That place is unbelievable. Ancient monasteries and ruins are everywhere. The muslims have allowed the building of churches to the degree that Aleppo is now deemed to have more churches than Rome (I can't verify that, but thats the rumour). I for one, have seen at least 9 major churches in one street. People live in harmony (about 35% of the city's population are christians of different denominations.

North to the city is St.Simon's monastery, where the pole -he preached above for 40 years- still stands today. I saw a lot of Vatican priests/bishops...etc over there.

Also there's the village of Maloula, which is isolated in the mountains, the inhabitants, about 12 000 people, still speak Arameic, which has been considered a dead language, and the "discovery" of that village in the early 20th century again, has given substantial support for the revival of that language.

It's also interesting to note that both Muslim and Christian Syrians are equally proud of these remnants of a vibrant past.

Hmmm sounds interesting!

I've never been one for religious sites, but the monastery was fascinating and so many visitors everyday.

What was also really nice was the guide who took us there knew so much, he was telling us about the lost land where the Israelites spent 40 years before being led to the promised land. About the Bedouins and the skills they use for surviving in the desert.

It's a fascinating place.

I'm hoping to go to Cairo and travel down the Nile checking out the Pyramids soon.

Just wondering did u take air arabia down there ?

Cairo

1/ If you think the driving and traffic is bad in dubai - you aint seen nothing yet lol

2/ The place and especially the Pyramids are soooo cool

Briliant place.

Hey,

No it was an Eid package deal so we flew with Egypt Air. They were very good.