The Red Sea Riviera

After four busy days visiting Cairo, we boarded an early morning flight to Hurghada on the Red Sea.

Labeled the Red Sea Riviera, Europeans and Russians have been vacationing along this beach for years, but Americans on the other hand, are less familiar with the region.

Since my spouse is a scuba diver, the chance to dive the Red Sea was a rare opportunity, anticipated as much as seeing the pyramids. I kept my fingers crossed all would go as planned, since he hauled his scuba gear such a long distance from home.

Our lodging was the Paradise Golden Five, a complex of five hotels.

The drive from the airport to the hotel kept my attention. To the left, typical beach resorts banked the coast, while on the right, it was all desert. The landscape was completely barren, nothing but brownish-gray rocks and sand; it could have been the surface of the moon! I saw three "unmanned" camels walking along otherwise the view was inhospitable terrain as far as the eye could see.

In appearance, the Paradise Golden Five was similar to other beach resorts, with a spacious eye-catching lobby, along with several bars and restaurants. Our fourth-floor room had a sweeping view of the pool area and the sea, quite a contrast to the urban setting of Cairo we had left that morning.

I was soon off exploring while Brett, my husband when to inquire about the diving. Small shops lined the lower level of the hotel and I ventured into one which displayed delicate perfume bottles. Easy to pack and unique, I fell in love with the decorative bottles and purchased six.

As an American I caused quite a stir-one young shop keeper said he had not seen any Americans in more than two years, just plenty of French, Italians, Germans and Russians.