Crossing the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba

,October 8, 2011
This is what we saw from our room when we woke up. What an incredible view with the sun shining on the mountains.
This morning we went back to the foot of Mt. Sinai to visit the St. Catherine Monastery. We were asked to wear long pants and covered shoulders. Some of us were given shawls and cloths to wrap around. The monastery was already at this location since the 5th century.

In this monastery is a Room of Skulls. The people are not buried when they die; after decomposing their skulls are preserved and added to that room. (I know, you wanted to know this.)
It is claimed that the burning bush was at this location, even literally the plant that is still growing there. Of course we were rather skeptical, the funny part it that there is a fire extinguisher by the plant!

We went back to the hotel for a quick stop and boarded the bus again, this time heading toward Nuwieba on the Gulf of Aqaba. On the way there, Reda told us about the way of life of the Bedouins. We saw quite a few places where a tribe lived. They keep very much to their traditional way of living in their tents and self supporting (we wondered how, in this wilderness). They also still have customs such as arranged marriages and payment of dowry with camels.

At Nuweiba we boarded a ferry and crossed the Red Sea to go to Aqaba, Jordan. First we had to be 'processed' for the customs at the border.


It trip on the boat was interesting with all the muslim men, us as tourist women were pretty much the only women on board. The 'call to worship' was announced very loudly.
On the other side, our new bus with driver and guide, Hassad, were waiting for us (in the dark) and brought us to another luxurious hotel while announcing that after tomorrow's day of rest, he wanted us up by 6 a.m. (and we thought we were on a holiday).

Into the Desert

On the beautiful morning of Friday, Oct.7th, we were on the bus before 6. While singing songs, we left Giza, Cairo, behind us and headed east toward the Suez canal.
Reda, our guide, told us interesting facts about Egypt in modern and biblical times. The christians are persecuted in Egypt, they are discriminated in getting jobs and education. Most muslims and christians want to live peacefully, having a job and raising families.
At the Suez Canal, which we crossed in a tunnel, we stopped for a break. We left Africa behind us and entered Asia. We followed the coast of the Gulf of Suez toward what is believed Mt. Sinai is, the mountain where God gave the Ten Commandments to his people. Along the way we stopped at Marah and at Elim (where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, Ex.15). The springs must have dried up, although there were still palm trees.


We then continued in the 'desert of Sin' and stopped at Rephidim, where some of the men of Israel fought the Amalekites and were winning as long as Moses held up his hands to heaven.

Around 2 o'clock we arrived at the hotel, 'Morgenland'. We quickly got ready to climb 'Mt. Moses'(as they called it). 20 of the group of 29 attempted the climb. Many started off on a camel, but Herman and I were among the group that planned to walk up.

After a two hour climb on a mountain path, the 750 steps started, which is the final stretch to reach the highest peak. It was a tiring but amazing walk! Half way up the mountain, I really could not keep up the pace, neither could Ralph, so the others went ahead and we followed at a slower pace.


We met a group from Austria on the way, who were hiking five days in the desert and sleeping 'under the stars'. Here are some of them climbing the 750 steps. I should have had some walking sticks... or a camel...
At the top of the mountain, watching the sunset and meditating on God's words and works.
The way down was easier and beautiful. It was dark, but not completely, as it was full moon. It is amazing how the sound carries in the desert mountains. We could hear the Bedouin guides shouting at each other. It was a tired but exhilarated bunch getting back to the hotel.

After a good night sleep in our beautiful hotel and a hearty breakfast (who eats that much for breakfast usually :) ) we boarded 'our' bus again, this time heading to the famous Egyptian Museum. There was again a lot of traffic, which as our guide explained, was due to the fact that this day was a national holiday. No school today and the government employees all had a day off. They are celebrating that in 1973 on the 6th of October, the Israelies had given the Sinai area back to Egypt.

We were not allowed to make pictures in the Museum. Despite the crowd, we had a great time and entertaining explanations from Reda, our guide. There is so much history in Egypt. Much has been preserved from thousands of years ago. We saw old, old statues recovered from tombs and pyramids. Many places have been robbed and were discovered empty. The second floor of the Museum is filled with the possessions of King Tut, who died at the age of 18. It is unbelievable how many valuable possessions were buried with him, supposedly to serve him in his afterlife.
Our lunch was delivered to the bus, two Egyptian sandwiches, one filled with a mixture of black beans and the other with 'who knows what'. It tasted pretty good, but I wonder if it was this food that gave many of us problems later on.
In the afternoon we went to Old Cairo, where we visited old Coptic churches. We went to the Hanging Church, which was build on top of another old church. Much is made of the fact that Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus fled to Egypt to escape from Herod's wrath. We walked through small, narrow streets of the old city.  While we were alone with the Christian guide Reda (the Muslim busdriver and security guard stayed at the bus) we were told about the persecutions of Christians in Egypt.  They don't get hired for many jobs and education is granted only to Musims, etc.


Our guide also brought us to a few souvenir stores where presentations were given. We saw how papyrus was made and were enlightened to mysteries of medicinal oils and perfumes. We were also told how bad tourism was in Egypt lately, to encourage us to make a few extra purchases.

Our evening devotions were held in the outdoor restaurant area. We reflected on our stay in Egypt and the work of God that was done in this area. We also sang praises to our God (and yes we had an audience). Then it was off to bed, expecting a wake-up call at 4:30.

Our trip to Egypt, Jordan and Israel

Last month we traveled to Egypt, Jordan and Israel with a group. About half of our group was from Canada and the other half from Australia. It was an amazing trip, we experienced so much in cultures that are so different from our own. Today in the news we again hear about the political upheaval in Cairo, where they are protesting against the military government. We pray for peace in Egypt.


Yes, the pyramids are a must to see! And they are grand, massive and ancient. We were struck by how close the pyramids are to the city. They were visible from the Grand Pyramid Hotel, where we were staying. As soon as you are out of the city there is sand and desert everywhere.
How was it to ride a camel? Well, make sure you hang on and lean back when he goes up and when he walks down a hill. No, we didn't ride it far. :)


What impressed us most on this first day in Cairo?
- The traffic. We were stuck in a traffic jam on the way from the airport to the hotel. The traffic is c-r-a-z-y! On a three-lane road there were five cars squeezed beside each other, with yet a horse and buggy going on the side in the opposite direction. No stop signs, no traffic lights, no rules - or the rule is, that the most aggressive driver moves ahead first.
- The persistent vendors. At the tourist places they are all over you. They cover your head with scarves. They ask where are your from? We answer: Canada (Australia), they say: my cousin lives there. They seem to have cousins all over the world. We will remember their bargaining (1 dollah!) for a long time. Overall, the souvenirs were not expensive.
- The garbage littered everywhere.
- The unfinished high-rise apartment buildings. Everyone seems to live in apartments.



The first full day in Egypt we ended with a boat cruise and dinner on the river Nile. It was typical Egyptian (I think), with loud music. Quite an experience. The weather was great and we enjoyed being upstairs on the deck where it was nice and quiet and were entertained by a 'sand artist'.

...And we are off!

A new beginning! For a long time I wanted to start a blog to record experiences, events in our lives and day-to-day things that are happening as we are 'on our way', living the life that God is giving us. Follow me on our journey!