We finally left Cairo and started on our adventure. We caught a bus through Cairo traffic - which is horrendous and went to the truck -we were all rather excited and not shy to admit it. After arriving at the truck we got acquainted with our new home and stored our goods. I chose a locker at the front of the truck which is a little smaller than some other lockers however as we are not a full truck, I could have it to myself and it is also not as deep as the other lockers along the sides of the truck and so I can reach my stuff much easier. We also discovered that there are no walls between the side lockers so it is just effectively one big locker down the side of the truck under the seat cushions so it will be quite hard to contain your goods. I got lucky really!

We set off in the truck and headed for Hurghada which is on the Red Sea. Cairo traffic is crazy and was really busy. I now have some sense of what being a celebrity feels like. Everyone waves at the truck and are very smiley. I sat at the back of the truck so could look out at the traffic and wave at people. We also knelt on our seats and waved at people on the side of the road. It was all great fun until we hit a car!! Poor Nick (our driver) was doing so well and then a car got in his blind spot (under our front bonnet). Car door rather smashed in, our truck - unscratched. We all sat patiently in the back whilst Nick and Ruth negotiated our way out of this sticky situation. This also meant we caused a bit of a traffic jam but it was great fun making sign language at the locals. After an hour we were finally on our way. Not less than half an hour down the road and we were all starting to relax when we felt the truck shake slightly and glass went all down the side of the truck. Another truck came far too close to us and smashed our passenger side mirror. What an event filled morning it turned out to be.

After 10 hours of driving we arrived in Hurghada to an interesting hotel that did not feel that hot water, let alone water were always important. Those on the first floor flooded their floor from their bathrooms (by accident) whilst those of us on the second floor stood in our bathroom listenting to the pipes shake whilst no water appeared. Oh well, this is Africa (which is quickly becoming our catch phrase).

The following day we went on a day trip to 3 reefs and did some snorkelling. Of course the sun was not shining and the weather did not at all make you want to swim - but we were here, so we decided to make the best of it. We went on a boat out to an island for our first stop. The coral is very brown and dull but the fish were amazingly colourful. It was really rather surprising. We were also on a beach that had every tourist in the Red Sea on it, but thankfully when you put your head underwater you felt like it was just you and the fish. We then snorkelled on two open water reefs which had equally impressive fish. We were thankfully all pleasantly surprised.
After arriving in Hurghada we also said goodbye to the truck. We all left our heavier less essential items as it needed to make its way to Sudan on its own ferry ahead of us. Hence, my laptop is now driving to Sudan and I am not - but not to worry, hotels seems to have good internet and computers provided at present.