It’s hard to believe that it’s already two weeks since January 25th, the first day that the protestors took the streets in Cairo. We had slightly interrupted access to Facebook, and Twitter entered the no-go zone where it would remain for the next week and a half, otherwise Dahab remained as normal. Then rallying cries were heard for a big demonstration on the Friday and so that was it; on Thursday night we said, unwittingly, “maasalama ya internet!” and things proceeded to get a bit unusual.
It all started off exciting, then the lack of internet started to become a real drag and it looked like the protestors weren’t getting anywhere. Then the protests turned violent and chaotic; it got very worrying for the people in Cairo, and started to have larger impacts across the whole country. Whenever it felt like the protestors were making leeway, certain others were digging their heels in until a total stalemate was reached.
El Fanar Street + Mountains = Beautiful Dahab
Meanwhile, Dahab had its own kind of experience. Supermarkets started to run low on fresh items, on cigarettes, on phone credit; the banks shut and ATMs were cash-less; petrol supplies weren’t getting to the pumps. The roads started to get quieter and quieter and as tourists were leaving town, none were coming to replace them. Worried about the potential implications of the shortages the town was suffering, a few people decided it was best to leave and others were considering it. Dahab felt tense.
However, overnight things started to ease. Suddenly there was petrol back in the cars, and vegetables back in Midan Assalah. As travelling around the country started to get easier when the government were trying to get the country back to normal having realised the significant economic impact the situation in Cairo was having on the whole country, there was an influx of tourists to Dahab from other, still more unsettled areas. As I mentioned in a previous blog, one night we had to turn away 14 guests – never before have we turned away so many people in a single day.
Yes, another picture of veggies.
Following the days of isolation, you’ll be pleased to know that Dahab is now operating a normal service. It’s quiet, but it’s always quiet at this time of year. The banks have still not opened their doors, but they are filling the ATMs at the main branches so cash is now easily obtainable. Most supplies are making it to the shops – although if you’re a smoker you still have to be less precious about your preferred brand…
At Sunrise Lodge, we still haven’t had any cancellations which we are unbelievably grateful about, and we’ve had more bookings in the last couple of days. I do think it’s true that today’s tourists are a little more resilient to this sort of thing than they used to be, and a little less easy to scare off. It is a huge worry for the town and its people that the situation in Cairo will have a bleak outcome for tourism in the area. The Sinai remains safe, unaffected by the lawlessness and violence that affected Cairo and other areas of Egypt. Please see the official UK travel advice which agrees (“There is a nationwide curfew in place from 1900 to 0600 local time. This is not being enforced in the Red Sea Resort area, where the situation remains calm”).
Even the sea's calm...see?
In other Sunrise Lodge news — we had to say goodbye to Guillaume today as he headed back to Paris after 14 days of freediving, Lyndelle and Jared headed off on a camel/dive safari to Abu Ghalum and the Lodge is getting a brand new coat of paint to look all smart for our group who are coming on Friday (and it looks fab!).
Although of course everyone’s perception of safety and risk is different, there really is no reason to cancel any holidays to South Sinai areas right now. If anything, there is good reason to go ahead and book them up – flights are cheap and the Egyptian pound is weak. Over the next few days I’ll be posting photos and ideas of things to spend those Egyptian pounds on during your next holiday over here!
If for any reason you are still worried about a planned trip to Dahab, Sharm el Sheikh or other areas on the Red Sea, please get in touch with your hotel or any other business in the town to discuss your concerns before cancelling.
Please check out this Facebook page, and also this: Dahabian dive instructor Alex, real name Yehya Gaber Ibrahim, has been reported missing in Cairo. He has not been in contact with any friends or family since January 27th and he was known to be in downtown Cairo on that day. His family are frantic so if anyone knows if he is safe, please contact me and I can pass the message on asap. UPDATE: Alex is now known to be safe and has been in touch with his family.