Saying that, I think there are two periods of this famous resort. Before and after the International Airport.
Before I wallo into the most recent trip in April, followed by my teenager daughter doing a spring break venture, much to my "Oh Shit she is ready for the Boys", I will digress to snippets of previous ventures. Before little beasts, during little beasts, and pre-teens and teenagers.
Our first trip was in 1990 and stayed at Ghazala Beach Hotel Na'ama Bay. Was very laid back and Na'ama Bay was not developed to any extent. I found a interesting statistic of hotel development as 3 in 1982 to 91 in 2000 and tourist traffic increased from 16 thousand per year to 5.1 million during this period.
Later on we drove down to make a few more trips staying at Movenpick as seemed it was reasonable family oriented with our toddlers. But, Sharm commercial development seem to have removed the original charm, so in later trips we opted for Dahab.
The highway has not changed much since our early days of travel and still is a 2 lane after the Suez Canal Tunnel.
But Sharm offers some good options. My eldest daughter and grandson, needing a warm vacation from cold Scotland, found a plane charter direct from Glasgow to Sharm this past April (08). Great, but then I started looking into accommodation for all 6 of us. Soon found hotels were a bit pricey as one quote was 18,000 LE for one week. (see currency converter link on left side) Yikes! However, Sharm has developed attractive investment gated communities where foreigners and locals, have purchased apartments and available for rent. We found a 2 bedroom suitable for all of us, kitchen and shared swimming pool. Delightful for 400 UK pounds or about 4,400 LE. See link where I arranged rental and can recommend. LINK
Mesquitos - strangely the mossy's were a pain so went and bout Raid tablets that fit into the wall socket and dispense a harmless flower odor that the little buggers do not like so you can sleep without the buzzing and biting all night.
We also found Sharm had really changed. As we had our car, I thought we had the edge on fly-in tourists for mobility. Nope - not the case, as nowhere can one park a private car in Naama bay except for one public parking area, too remote to where we wanted to go, which was Naama center. Taxis are the best way, unless you want to walk quite distances. But car did come in handy for food shopping etc. as best store is Metro located closer to Old town on the main peace road. And we did find a lovely beach called Terrazina in downtown area. Could park the car in their area, pay 50 LE each and had a very enjoyable area with bean bag seats, sofa's set up, good service and food was very good for a beach area. Not to mention beer as well. Here we met young Ahmed, Price of Kuwait and entourage. Had a good laugh and few drinks. Later that evening my two oldest daughters went to Pacha for night out clubbing and dancing and lo and behold, Prince Ahmed's body guard say them and escorted them to VIP area where they had a wonderful night with as they stated "really nice folks" and of course my highlight was it cost them nothing.
Na'ama center is a must visit I think - we only went a few times but everything is there form McDonald's, to Hard Rock Cafe. We ate at Fridays and enjoyed - also a bit pricey but found it worth it.
One glitch was buying wine and beer for apartment. There was a Drinkies shop in Naama Center but he only sold beer in heavy bottles and I had quite a distance to walk. And I found it expensive at 9 LE each. So I searched for other options and found a offsales shop at old town newer shopping arcade on main road across from Ibertol hotel called Mo Jins. So I could load the car up.
Here is a very good site for Sharm for hints from a very active tourist that really seems to have got around Sharm. It was from this site I found some good advice and Mo Jins. LINK
Few other highlights was the waterparks (2 in Sharm) and they are huge if not a bit on the pricey side - 2 adults and 2 children over 500 LE entrance fee. You can get connected to local wireless if you you take you laptop. I did, but had to find and buy a access card. Strange prices - 100 LE for 1 day, 200 LE for 3 days, 300 LE for one month. You can get these at convenience stores.
Sharm is busy with numerous wide body full planes landing daily. For us locals it is all a bit too touristy, therefore comment Sharm El - Shit.
Few Pictures:
Terrazina Beach
Fridays
Aqua parkUtube link for our family trip montage (including pyramids)and you will see other videos to watch also UTUBE LINK
p.s Its Iris the 10 year old editing dads lazy writing!
just a video to show my appreciation..=]
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