When we departed a rather wet
and miserable Manchester we had been delayed around 40 mins to 1 hour and therefore were later arriving. Arrival at Marsa Alam Ariport went quite smoothly apart from the reps trying to get you to buy the visas from them instead of the banks. As we had not been here before we didnt really get a chance to try to find the bank as the Gatwick flight arrived at around the same time. We collected our suitcases and were transfered quickly to the hotel which was around 15minutes away and also 10 minutes from Port Ghalib. On the way to the hotel it was noticeable that there is nothing in this area apart from desert which is great if you wish to chill out but not if you hope to escape the MIL now and again.
On arrival we went to check in and were advised to get to rooms qickly and change as the Gala xmas meal had started. Rooms of the hotel were large and clean and we had been given rooms as we requested close to the main building with easy access for my mum in law. I sat on the bed once in the room to unlock the suitcases and to my surprise (despite my weight) the matress never moved an inch ~ it was like concrete which appeared to be a common complaint in the resort! The food that night was great and the atmosphere, even MIL enjoyed it!
In the morning we walked around the reosrt and the fish we saw in the coral from the jetty was great the resort was definatley relaxing, but I would say that unless you want to completly chill out its not the place for you, or if you have wallking disabilities.
Port Ghalib is better to visit in the evening as it is so quiet almost like a ghost town during the afternoon, maybe when it is completed it will be an alternative for some hotels instead of sitting in the hotel lobby bar every night!
As my husband & I have been numerous times to Luxor and all three of us to Hughada the only trip that wasnt too long was Al Queiser which we went on and I really enjoyed. I love seeing the true egyptian life and not the tourist life.
We went to the dolphin house reef and snorkled our friend who was diving was lucky enough to see the dolphins, and we could only think we saw them, unfotunately I didnt have an underwater camera ~ Saw the turtles at another beach I cant remember how to spell (too much egyptian brandy rots the brain you know!) went on a quad bike trip into the desert and had a great time.
Our representative med hotels in resort told us that in the future the transfers will be by yacht from the airport to the hotels in Port Ghalib ~ what start to your holiday!
On the return to the airport we were not aware that you were not allowed into it until 1 hour 45mins before departure and had to sit outside as the sun went down and the wind became cold! Once in the airport, you can see its new not much choice in duty free ciggies apart from Marlboro. We then found out we were delayed an hour ~ suddenly after waiting 45 mintues into the delay the tvs changed to say 2 hour delay so everyone went to get coffees etc and as soon as they came back we were told to board the plane! Only in egypt!
We would go back for a rest again but maybe in a few years time when Port Ghalib completed or in a hotel nearer to Al Queiser or Safaga.
But as always the sea, coral and fish were excellent, as was the hospitality shown by the egyptians.
I will if possible try to upload some fo the photos taken in Al Queiser from the minaret at the oldest mosque and the interior roof of Santa Barbara church which was spectacular!
) there was nothing to do besides poke around the hotel, which was very nice, but so not my idea of a holiday - (thought there would be a town or village to investigate)
