Bedouin Beauty by the Sea.

Email from fellow Norwegian and diver regarding specifics of the next "travel pants party"...

Again, the Egyptian state has been kind enough to provide us with another national holiday. Thus, during the long-weekend which The Armed Forces Day produce we will be camping and diving at Abu Galum.

For those of you unfamiliar with Abu Galum, this is one of the 18 protected natural areas in Egypt. This rarely visited place is only reachable by a 1.5 hr camel ride. It consists of a small Beduin community, a picturesque beach and beautiful, virgin coral reef.  We will see intriguing reef formations made up of a variety of both hard and soft corals.  Local inhabitants include emperor-fish, crocodile-fish, trevallies and the rare turtle.

The dives at Abu Galum is suitable for all levels of divers.  For those of you who don't dive, the reef is perfect for snorkeling and simply kicking back while dreaming of how the Sinai coast was 30 years ago.

Tuesday 5th:
Bus leaves from Scubaseekers shop in Cairo at 5.30pm.

Wednesday 6th:
We'll be meeting at the dive center for check-in at 8.30am. After this follows 2 dives in Dahab (location weather dependent). We will then leave Dahab 3 pm from the Blue Hole by camel. Arrival in Abu Galum at 4.30pm. There we will set up camp and enjoy dinner.

Thursday 7th:
The whole day will be spent eating, diving (2 dives), snorkeling and chilling out by the beautiful beach.

Friday 8th:
Breakfast and 2 dives in Abu Galum, then we will return to Dahab by camel around 3.00pm.

Basic food will be cooked during our stay by our beduin hosts. We will have three meal per day consisting of items such as foul, tuna, bread, cheese etc. If your taste-buds are of the more luxurious kind we recommend perhaps bringing something “extra” such as protein bars, canned meat etc.

In true 1001-nights-fashion we will sleep on carpets and cushions under the stars. It is likely to be hot with a sleeping-bag, but you might appreciate a thin sheet and pillow.

Please keep in mind that we will traveling by camel. It is therefore imperative that you pack your belongings in a backpack. We should also try to keep the quantities of stuff to a bare minimum. Seeing that we will be camping, here is a suggestive list of what you should bring in addition to your essentials:

- Light shoes
- Thin sheet/Sleeping-bag, pillow
- Flashlight (+ spare batteries)
- Snacks
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sun-cream 

- Paper tissues/wet ones/toilet paper

Included:
Transport by jeep and camel within Dahab.
Dive guide.
Tanks.
Food in Abu Galoum 5 Meals
Overnight stays in Abou Galoum
Water