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).