The Trip to St Katherine's Monastery was a long one - nearly 3 hours. I calculated that we were there for roughly 50 or so minutes. However, seeing where Moses witness the 'Burning Bush' and walking through the small church and sensing the historical significance of it all, it was well worth the 6 hour round trip.
Regrettably, I missed Ravi and Davey as they were flying out today. Great couple I hope they have a chuckle if they ever read my blog.
Mr Aldo and I had a conversation at the rooftop bar after dinner. He gave me a very clear indication how he viewed the hotel. The Italian emphasise that Il Mercato is principally a city and adult hotel and not a family orientated resort. He envisaged that ideally the hotel would attract business people, couples and conferences, particularly when the spa/sauna, restaurants and theme pub are built along the promenade.
In my opinion this will be a quality 5 star property when everything is in place. Mr Aldo and I agreed at present its not and the prices to stay here reflect that. However, the potential is vast. I witness improvements in and around the hotel on a daily basis. The management are genuinely taking on board the constructive comments that customers are making. I do confess that Mr Aldo is one of the better hotel managers that I have come across.
I promised the animation team that I would meet them at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight. Unfortunately, it was couples night and I was refused entry. Decided to go to Pacha - 25 pounds sterling to enter - expensive I thought. Inside the venue the decor and layout was impressive. It had 3 levels with the main dance floor on the first. When I arrived it was packed. The DJ was putting down some half-decent mixes which had the crowd jumping. Overall had a good time but seriously think at my age that going clubbing amongst people young enough to wonder about me - "Why has someone dragged along their dad".
With the exception of a few notable old codgers I would say I was the oldest at the club - not good. Not a single woman gave me a second look and if they did it was a mixture of pity and contempt. So high one night so low another. Left Pacha at 4am feeling depressed. I love to dance but I can't really go clubbing in middle age. My good friend Sheelah the nurse loves clubbing and is the same age as me but never fails to have young men flock around her wherever she goes. It does help that she looks half her age, that's the beauty of having black skin - black don't crack!
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Friday, 12 November 2010
The Egypt Diaries - Wednesday 3rd November 2010
OMG - I feel bloody awful. Did not get to sleep until 5am. Could not face breakfast probably would of thrown it up.
Late morning in the lobby I had a very interesting conversation with one of the managers. By coincidence her name was Natalie from Russia and close friends with Natalya from the Ukraine. Russian Nat explained where she thought this hotel was going in the future and the type of clientele it would likely to attract. I concurred with her opinion that Iberotel Il Mercato was essentially a city hotel catering for business people rather than your traditional British beach tourists. My own misgivings is that it may fall between the two - nor one thing or the other.
As I may have expected the pick-up for the quad-biking was late. It took the intervention of Mr Aldo to secure my lift. Have to say it was worth the wait. Quad-biking in the Sinai desert was a wonderful experience. Would recommend it to anyone. I have done this type of excursion in every country I visited but it was the first time I did this in the desert and at night. Awesome!
I tried a new bar whilst watching the the Milan and Real Madrid match. I could not believe I was charged almost £4 for a bottle of Stella. I left the premises in a not too happy mood. Egyptians think if you are from Britain you are a cash cow. Its constantly a hard sell here - nothing for free. I am sticking with drinks in the hotel. The beverages maybe locally branded but at least its free.
It was Jack's the head of animation's birthday. His crew plus some guests surprised him outside a shop in the arcade. He got a printer which was well received. To celebrate the team and some guests went to a local club. I declined and instead was serenaded by Diana the now resident flutist at the hotel. She played Moon River and Fly Me to the Moon. I felt honoured, privileged and I confess a little bit special. Not a musical expertise myself but Diana did hit a few 'bum notes' but overall her musical skills were very good. I slept contented ready for the excursion tomorrow to St. Katherine's Monastery.
Late morning in the lobby I had a very interesting conversation with one of the managers. By coincidence her name was Natalie from Russia and close friends with Natalya from the Ukraine. Russian Nat explained where she thought this hotel was going in the future and the type of clientele it would likely to attract. I concurred with her opinion that Iberotel Il Mercato was essentially a city hotel catering for business people rather than your traditional British beach tourists. My own misgivings is that it may fall between the two - nor one thing or the other.
As I may have expected the pick-up for the quad-biking was late. It took the intervention of Mr Aldo to secure my lift. Have to say it was worth the wait. Quad-biking in the Sinai desert was a wonderful experience. Would recommend it to anyone. I have done this type of excursion in every country I visited but it was the first time I did this in the desert and at night. Awesome!
I tried a new bar whilst watching the the Milan and Real Madrid match. I could not believe I was charged almost £4 for a bottle of Stella. I left the premises in a not too happy mood. Egyptians think if you are from Britain you are a cash cow. Its constantly a hard sell here - nothing for free. I am sticking with drinks in the hotel. The beverages maybe locally branded but at least its free.
It was Jack's the head of animation's birthday. His crew plus some guests surprised him outside a shop in the arcade. He got a printer which was well received. To celebrate the team and some guests went to a local club. I declined and instead was serenaded by Diana the now resident flutist at the hotel. She played Moon River and Fly Me to the Moon. I felt honoured, privileged and I confess a little bit special. Not a musical expertise myself but Diana did hit a few 'bum notes' but overall her musical skills were very good. I slept contented ready for the excursion tomorrow to St. Katherine's Monastery.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
The Egypt Diaries - Tuesday 2nd November 2010
Up at the crack of dawn. Met at the hotel gates by the tour guide. Amongst the group were a Romanian couple, a Russian and 2 cracking girls from Finland Olga and Mary. Throughout the excursion the Fins and I bonded really well.
They told me they had their own sign language business. Something that I had not realise, there is no universal sign language, each nation has their own unique language.
We made our way to the desert, a bumpy but thrilling ride, listening to rap music blaring out from the car stereo. We stopped at a Bedouin campsite for mint tea before heading off to Hada Sea Resort for snorkeling. As previously I enjoyed the snorkeling but as it was the second time around it was not as thrilling. Lunch provided was good but could have been hotter and I was slightly put off by the number of cats milling around my feet crying out for scraps of food from your plate. The camel ride which was part of the excursion was an experience. It was uncomfortable particularly for my groin and back. I am sure the ride must of decrease my fertility count.
We finished off the day with a visit to the mandatory tourist shopping mall. I purchased some mint tea within the 2 hours that we waisted there. I Made my feelings known on the feedback questionnaire.
Slept in my room for a few hours before heading for dinner. It was Champions League night with Spurs Vs Inter Milan at the Lane. The bars on the promenade were only showing the Barcelona game. I was content to view that.
I was able to blag my way in for free at the Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) and was one of the last clubbers to leave at near 4am.
I may have enjoyed the Jeep Safari, Snorkeling at Egypt's Red Sea and anticipating the quad-biking and the trip to Cairo, but its going to be hard to top the delightful experience at the HRC. Whilst strutting my stuff on the very crowded dance floor I was pinched on the bottom. I looked over my shoulder and there were a half dozen girls from Lancashire in their early twenties laughing out loud. The culprit amongst them winked at me and I smiled broadly back. Being goosed spurned me on to go 'old school' dance style and do the Robot. The girls plus the crowd around went wild and followed suit. Someone shouted from the throng "Obama is doing the Robot". Everybody guffawed. Its going to take something exceptional to beat this evening. I went home on a cloud.
I switched on the flat screen to the BBC World News. The real Obama was getting annihilated in the mid-term elections. If only he could do the Robot - that I have no doubt would of change his political fortunes - YES WE CAN!!
They told me they had their own sign language business. Something that I had not realise, there is no universal sign language, each nation has their own unique language.
We made our way to the desert, a bumpy but thrilling ride, listening to rap music blaring out from the car stereo. We stopped at a Bedouin campsite for mint tea before heading off to Hada Sea Resort for snorkeling. As previously I enjoyed the snorkeling but as it was the second time around it was not as thrilling. Lunch provided was good but could have been hotter and I was slightly put off by the number of cats milling around my feet crying out for scraps of food from your plate. The camel ride which was part of the excursion was an experience. It was uncomfortable particularly for my groin and back. I am sure the ride must of decrease my fertility count.
We finished off the day with a visit to the mandatory tourist shopping mall. I purchased some mint tea within the 2 hours that we waisted there. I Made my feelings known on the feedback questionnaire.
Slept in my room for a few hours before heading for dinner. It was Champions League night with Spurs Vs Inter Milan at the Lane. The bars on the promenade were only showing the Barcelona game. I was content to view that.
I was able to blag my way in for free at the Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) and was one of the last clubbers to leave at near 4am.
I may have enjoyed the Jeep Safari, Snorkeling at Egypt's Red Sea and anticipating the quad-biking and the trip to Cairo, but its going to be hard to top the delightful experience at the HRC. Whilst strutting my stuff on the very crowded dance floor I was pinched on the bottom. I looked over my shoulder and there were a half dozen girls from Lancashire in their early twenties laughing out loud. The culprit amongst them winked at me and I smiled broadly back. Being goosed spurned me on to go 'old school' dance style and do the Robot. The girls plus the crowd around went wild and followed suit. Someone shouted from the throng "Obama is doing the Robot". Everybody guffawed. Its going to take something exceptional to beat this evening. I went home on a cloud.
I switched on the flat screen to the BBC World News. The real Obama was getting annihilated in the mid-term elections. If only he could do the Robot - that I have no doubt would of change his political fortunes - YES WE CAN!!
The Egypt Diaries Monday 1st November 2010
Did not run - far too knackered from last night. Trying to balance staying up very late and running early mornings its not working.
It seems everyday there is an incremental but noticeable improvement on how the hotel works or its aesthetic design. For instance florists were putting massive glass vases in appropriate spots on all 3 floors of the property each containing a variety of humongous fresh flowers.
I was gearing myself up for the quad-biking but unfortunately was canceled due to over-subscription. As I missed my morning exercise I thought I would take the opportunity to have a run.
I bumped into Ravi in the evening. She apologised for last night but I assured her that there was no need. She told me that Davey had gone down with a stomach bug. Ravi bid me farewell before heading off to do her Florence Nightingale turn for her other half. Knowing I had an early start for the Jeep Safari, I had my final double G and T before heading to bed.
It seems everyday there is an incremental but noticeable improvement on how the hotel works or its aesthetic design. For instance florists were putting massive glass vases in appropriate spots on all 3 floors of the property each containing a variety of humongous fresh flowers.
I was gearing myself up for the quad-biking but unfortunately was canceled due to over-subscription. As I missed my morning exercise I thought I would take the opportunity to have a run.
I bumped into Ravi in the evening. She apologised for last night but I assured her that there was no need. She told me that Davey had gone down with a stomach bug. Ravi bid me farewell before heading off to do her Florence Nightingale turn for her other half. Knowing I had an early start for the Jeep Safari, I had my final double G and T before heading to bed.
The Egypt Diaries Sunday 31st October 2010
Unusually, I stayed in bed until after 9am. I could not face stomping the streets of Sharm in the blazing heat. I promised myself that I would exert my body this evening. It has been a week and I don't think I have put on any extra pounds. However, I am determined to lose my man boobs on my return. I am conscious about them especially whilst swimming. Using boxing parlance I need to become a Welterweight (10 stone 7 pounds) - both Sugar Rays competed and made history at this weight. These legendary boxers are going to inspire me to excel in every way.
Natalya kindly booked a quad-biking excursion for me, complimentary of the hotel. Should really refuse but dammit - its a perk of the job.
Spoke to a great character Wanda at the bar in the evening. She is a British retiree approaching 60 whose has been living in Egypt for over a decade. Wanda was as drunk as a Lord when I spoke to her. She regaled me about her life and loves. When I left her she was on her umpteen double gin and vodka with a splash of lemon and ice.
I met up with Ravi and Davey inside the Hard Rock Cafe. We all had a few drinks and dance to the hypnotic beats provided by a supposedly famous Russian DJ. Thankfully, he would play some RnB track which all 3 of us could really jig to. Ravi has got some moves on her, even though Davey was close at hand, the men came round her like bees to honey. Her fiance has got a lot to be jealous about.
The evening took a slightly sour note. The couple had a misunderstanding which resulted in embarrassing silence in the taxi ride home. I left them at the doors of the hotel - me going inside and them wandering off to some dark corner of the promenade to consume their Chicken pizza which Ravi had purchased earlier.
I had no concerns they seem to be great couple and very together - a mere lovers tiff. I look forward in getting some wedding cake in the not too distant future.
My last thoughts of the night as I stared at the ceiling in bed is that I bet Ravi and Davey were having some awesome 'make-up sex' - Davey who lucky bastard!!
Natalya kindly booked a quad-biking excursion for me, complimentary of the hotel. Should really refuse but dammit - its a perk of the job.
Spoke to a great character Wanda at the bar in the evening. She is a British retiree approaching 60 whose has been living in Egypt for over a decade. Wanda was as drunk as a Lord when I spoke to her. She regaled me about her life and loves. When I left her she was on her umpteen double gin and vodka with a splash of lemon and ice.
I met up with Ravi and Davey inside the Hard Rock Cafe. We all had a few drinks and dance to the hypnotic beats provided by a supposedly famous Russian DJ. Thankfully, he would play some RnB track which all 3 of us could really jig to. Ravi has got some moves on her, even though Davey was close at hand, the men came round her like bees to honey. Her fiance has got a lot to be jealous about.
The evening took a slightly sour note. The couple had a misunderstanding which resulted in embarrassing silence in the taxi ride home. I left them at the doors of the hotel - me going inside and them wandering off to some dark corner of the promenade to consume their Chicken pizza which Ravi had purchased earlier.
I had no concerns they seem to be great couple and very together - a mere lovers tiff. I look forward in getting some wedding cake in the not too distant future.
My last thoughts of the night as I stared at the ceiling in bed is that I bet Ravi and Davey were having some awesome 'make-up sex' - Davey who lucky bastard!!
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