Well in a nutshell I went from petrified to paradise in 12 hours. The day started off with one certainty only, was catching the bus from Cairo to Nuweiba. I didn't know where I'd be staying the night as had nothing booked. It all nearly went pearshaped at the bus station as was getting on the wrong bus.. one was trying to get onto was going to Lybia. The journey down to Nuweiba was around 7 hours but didn't feel that long at all. Was the only foreigner on the bus but couldn't understand why all had their curtains closed as was missing out on some stunning scenery. The Sinai desert is barren but beautiful with the occassional of lush verdant grass which wasn't an oasis though. Crossing the Suez Governance was a bit ropey, bus stopped we all had to get off and take our luggage out from the hold. Military man with trained alsation went round sniffing for bombs & explosives. There were countless checkpoints throughout the journey which are a necessary evil I guess.

The golden hues of sand and limestone mountains in the distance were soon replaced by browner mountains. It was the descent into Taba however that was utterly delightful. Deep red mountains towered over both sides of the road for miles before catching the first glimpse of a dear old friend the Red Sea. By the time we got to Taba it was an hour further up the coast to the final destination and it was then that the coach travelling along the coast caressing the Red Sea that saw an awesome sunset.

I got to Nuweiba and didn't have a clue where was staying although had just passed the Hilton here. I asked some taxi drivers if there was anywhere cheap cheap to stay for the night. We went down a road the felt like it lasted forever and dropped me off at a Bedouin place by the beach. I befriended the bedouins and a local doctor who worked at the Hilton and had deep and meaningful discussions about life and death.

It was when was taken to my beach hut that found paradise. The hut was literally inches from the Red Sea, the sky was dark but full of pulsating stars. I sat in the hammock in absolute awe. Not long after saw this light in the background which wasn't sure what it was, thought it was a fire or something across the coast. It turned out to be the moon rising! What a sight with Orion's Belt directly opposite me also.

Earlier in the day on the coach was reading a book entitled "The teachings of Don Juan". In it he says, "Seek & see the marvels all around you". I seeked and the marvels were/are magnificent.

The next morning I literally went to heaven (chillin in the hammock watching sunrise) to hell. However in 1 day saw 4 countries, started the morning facing Saudi Arabia in Egypt and finished it in Jordan overlooking Israel. I went to the port early morning about 9am ish thinking the boat would be about 11 and only an hour. Gets there and the ticket dude is like no fast boat slow boat only, yeah right. I then queued for hours with the locals into the port and in passport control. Just before midday couple of Japanese tourists go straight to the front of passport queue. I'm thinking what the hell, only then do i find out that foreigners go straight through. Was bit pissed at losing couple of hours but hell it was an experience with the crazy locals. Fortunately on the boat met some tourists, we were on the boat at 2pm and went straight to the outer deck as it was a nice day. The bloody boat didn't leave till 8pm!? Luckily had people there with me and all shared food and beverages, good ole community spirit. Finally got to Aqaba around midnight but glad to make it there and with new found friends.

Will do another blog for Jordan as went to Wadi Rum yesterday which was amazing and over in Petra today/tomorrow.

Adios :D x