Egypt and the Sinai from a Tourist's Perspective

Recent statistics report that approximately 13% of Egyptian jobs and 11% of the countries income comes from the tourist trade. My guide described the pyramids as Egypt's 'Oil Well'! According to the Egypt Tourist Authority in New York nearly 15 million tourists visited Egypt last year resulting in over 11 billion in tourist revenue. After the current drought Egypt will be desperate to promote more visitors.

For my 7 day stay I headed for the Red Sea resorts at Taba Heights. From this location I was able to visit all the locations on my '˜bucket list'.

We chose the Marriott Taba Heights Resort where breakfast and dinner were included in our very reasonably priced rate. We chose to skip the buffet on one evening so that we could enjoy Bedouin night in their underground restaurant. The experience was a not to be missed experience with local dancers and the famous whirling dervishes.

We made three day trips from Taba.

Trip one was to the sacred monastery of St. Catherine's. This was, for me at least, the high point of my trip having spent the last 20 years involved with research into the famous Shroud of Turin (My book "In the Image of His God").

It is here at the monastery that the world's largest collection of historic and religious Icons exist. Many, such as that of Christ the Pantocrator, played a major part in research into the image on the sacred Shroud of Turin.

It is here also at this location that Moses is said to have spoken to God in the Burning Bush, at the base of the mountain where he received the tablets.

If you plan to visit the region St. Catharine's is a must.

Our day trip to Cairo (not recommended at this time) was a different story. We rented a limo complete with driver at a cost of US$200. for the day to do the 5 hour each way drive. Across the desert, under the Suez canal and on to Giza. Here we were able to spend several hours exploring the pyramids before setting off to the Cairo museum which I must confess was like Grand Central Station during rush hour!

Our final day trip was to Jordan, and the lost city of Petra '" but that's a whole other story.

Enjoy your travels

Dr. Peter J. Shield PhD, (http://pjshield.com)