Sinai Trek
In September 2010 I did a charity trek with 4 colleagues to raise funds towards building a new Women's Health Unit at the hospital where I work. The trek took us into the high mountains of Sinai for 5 days and concluded with a dawn ascent of Mt. Sinai. I also climbed Aabas Basha mountain and Egypt's highest mountain, Mt. Catherine - all with the help of our trusty Bedouin guides. And not forgetting the camels that carried our packs from A to B each day. And our armed guard!
We were wild camping - no tents - no running water or toilets - thank goodness for wet wipes. It was wonderful to experience the true Bedouin lifestyle and to sleep in the open under the stars. We stayed in a beautiful desert garden one night and fashioned a freezing cold shower out of a hosepipe and a bamboo screen. Our food and flat-breads were cooked on open fires fuelled by donkey-poo and the meals were delicious, considering.
Mt. Sinai was very atmospheric as we walked with many pilgrims in Moses' footsteps to reach the summit as the sun rose. We descended via the "Steps of Repentance" to St. Catherine's monastery to see wonderful orthodox art and the Burning Bush of Moses' fame. We were sad to say goodbye to the camels - we had named them after things we were missing: chocolate, cookies, cappuccino, cocoa and caramel.
We rounded off the trip with a couple of days in Sharm-El-Sheik to rest and recharge the batteries. Snorkelling in the Red Sea there was amazing with so many colourful fish and unspoilt corals. In the evening we took a trip to the old town and the souk. What a brilliant way to end a totally unique adventure.
We were wild camping - no tents - no running water or toilets - thank goodness for wet wipes. It was wonderful to experience the true Bedouin lifestyle and to sleep in the open under the stars. We stayed in a beautiful desert garden one night and fashioned a freezing cold shower out of a hosepipe and a bamboo screen. Our food and flat-breads were cooked on open fires fuelled by donkey-poo and the meals were delicious, considering.
Mt. Sinai was very atmospheric as we walked with many pilgrims in Moses' footsteps to reach the summit as the sun rose. We descended via the "Steps of Repentance" to St. Catherine's monastery to see wonderful orthodox art and the Burning Bush of Moses' fame. We were sad to say goodbye to the camels - we had named them after things we were missing: chocolate, cookies, cappuccino, cocoa and caramel.
We rounded off the trip with a couple of days in Sharm-El-Sheik to rest and recharge the batteries. Snorkelling in the Red Sea there was amazing with so many colourful fish and unspoilt corals. In the evening we took a trip to the old town and the souk. What a brilliant way to end a totally unique adventure.