My wake up call was at 6:45 but I woke up at 6:05. I went to breakfast at 6:45. I came back to the cabin at 7:25 to find instructions for immigration procedures in Jordan tomorrow as well as new set of visa information for all remaining ports. My 4 hour tour was for 8:30 and I went to the World Stage at 8:15 to wait for the tour to be called. The ship was not cleared until 9:00 and we were called then we had to go through a screening similar to TSA screening and our 4x4 left the port at 9:40. The ride to the desert took 50 minutes and it was to a private park called Safari. We stopped for a photo op and then went back to where we had passed the camels earlier and got a 5 minute ride instead of the 15 advertised. Then we walked up an incline and down some steps to where the tent was with a stage for performers and food service. After the meal, the people who had not had an opportunity to ride a camel were given one near the tent area. One man fell off and injured his shoulder. He was taken back to the ship early in a spare 4x4. All in all it was nice, but not as advertised. When we got back to the port at 1:00, we had to get out of the van and walk thru screening and then climb back in the van to go to the ship. I got back on board at 1:30.
The tour was described as:
Top 3 Reasons To Book
- Camel ride across the desert to a beautifully decorated Bedouin tent
- Experience the resilience and amazing hospitality of the Bedouins
- Enjoy a cup of tea, light Egyptian breakfast and folkloric show
Don’t miss this opportunity to sail across the desert on the back of a camel—a true adventure straight out of Lawrence of Arabia.
Transfer from the ship by 4-wheel-drive vehicle to a desert location, where you will find camels outfitted with carpeted saddles. Riding high atop a camel you will make your way towards a beautifully decorated Bedouin tent. Dancers and musicians will greet you; then, you’re invited to relax on low cushions in the camp and take in the narration about the inhabitants.
Most of the Bedouins’ ancestors came from the Arabian Peninsula, so Bedouin laws, customs and religion blend both Islamic and pagan beliefs. The resilience and amazing hospitality of the Bedouins are a product of their lifestyle in the Sinai—crushing isolation, a harsh climate, and the need to keep moving in the search of water. Even today, the wealth of a Bedouin is measured in camels and children, but Western technology is slowly making its presence felt.
Enjoy a cup of tea and a light Egyptian breakfast before being entertained by a folkloric show. There will be photo and shopping opportunities at the camp before boarding your coach to return to the port of Sharm el Sheikh.
Notes:
The Bedouin camp you will visit is currently not occupied by the Bedouins, as they are a nomadic people. The camel ride lasts approximately 15 minutes and is optional and at your own risk. A waiver must be signed prior to the ride.
After I got back, I downloaded my pictures and cleaned up for the sail away at 4:30 and dinner. At the sail away, I took some pictures of the sun setting behind the mountains. I returned to the cabin at 5 and added the new pictures to the blog entry and worked a crossword until time for dinner. I went to dinner at 7:30 and afterward returned to the cabin at 8:45 and watched the end of the Ohio State/Penn State game on TV. I went to bed at 10. We have to set the clocks forward one hour again tonight.
