Dahab: City of Gold and Blue Hole Snorkeling

Since I didn't bring my dive license and you're not supposed to scuba dive and fly or climb mountains in a 24 hour period of time, I decided to just do some snorkeling at the Blue Hole instead. It was really great. It is a popular dive spot, but the hole itself is actually a sinkhole that drops down to depths of around 135m. No one is really sure. Normal maximum depth for sport divers is only 18m. Sadly, many people take risks or don't pay close attention to their depth and have died diving there. There are plaques cemented in the side of the mountain paying homage to some that have died there.

The Red Sea was teeming with colorful fish, coral, oysters and other types of mollusks and echinoderms. There were even some skin divers that I watched for a bit. I spent about an hour swimming around until I started shivering from losing so much body heat. I got out of the water to take a break and warm up a bit. I was feeling pretty hungry too and decided to get something to eat.

Our driver that took us to The Blue Hole came over to me and started chatting. I keep forgetting that I have to be nasty to guys or else have to deal with a bunch of crap. I wear a fake diamond to signify that I am married, but this doesn't always deter them. He went on about how he knows how to give massages and could give me a massage for free etc. It's so annoying. I tried to be nice and told him I was engaged (why didn't I just say married) but he didn't really take the hint. I know this won't be the last one of these encounters. Little did I know I would only have to wait 10 minutes for the next one.

Since there would be no more room at my hotel for the third night, I decided to find a new place. Preferably one that actually has air conditioning! I found the hotel where I stayed 3 years ago and they had room. I was talking to the guy at the desk and he was looking at me sort of strangely. When I returned to the desk for something else, he said, "Have you stayed at our hotel before?" I hesitantly said, "Yes." He actually remembered me from three years ago. He was very nice but was hitting on me. Again. Just like 3 years ago. Uuuugh. What else is new?

Tomorrow night: climbing Mt. Sinai!