Dahab Safari Adventure

11:28

Nearing six in the morning, the sky cracked open and dawn was peeled back by an orange sun, illuminating the surrounding. It was my second morning in Dahab, after my friends and I cycled across town the day before. Fiq, my roommate prepared some coffee. I stumbled toward the bathroom to wash my face and whatnot.

As a region in East Africa, Egypt boasts some of the world's legendary seas, and even river. And desert. Plus they have cool beaches too : they ran across continents, bringing desert back to life. That includes Dahab. Dahab is basically a small town situated at southeast coast of Sinai Peninsula.

I visited Dahab three years ago during winter, the weather was fair. Early mornings are often foggy in this season, we loved it.

Two hours later, my friends and I went out and wandered around looking for rides, specifically ATVs because Dahab also famous for its Safari. There are numerous tours that offers the best price, plus the Bedouin Village package included.

Up until now, I wasn't always choose for guided tours but there are some things that you can't do on your own. In Dahab, it is highly recommended for tourist to go by tours because the Safari went on for many miles and one could get lost in the desert by thyself.

After half an hour looking, we finally been accosted by Ahmed. Amidst bruise Egyptian accent, a big smile perched in the back of some ATVs drew us over.

Overhead, a black crow cracks the cold air with its wings.

"Because you guys are student, so I'll give you student prices. That includes Bedouin Village, sah?" Ahmed said.

I nodded. "Kullu kam?" (How much for all of it?)

"Wahda, mi'ah wa asyarah." (One person, 110le)

Within minutes, we rode the ATVs, racing towards the desert.

The guide that was with us brought us all over the permitted areas, including the Bedouin Village. Not surprisingly, we learned that we actually will be joining with other people. It's okay, I guess.

We started off feeling positive ; the cold morning air greeted us with soft wind, the smell of fresh air through our olfactory sense. I felt rejuvenated already.

It was different than any other trip I'd ever taken. Sure, it was an idyllic place - did I mention that it was legendary too?- and there was plenty of time to swim, surf and ride through the dense, dry desert. I tore through the stack of magazines that had been piling up in my apartment, and read about the Incredible Dahab, listened to my pop and rock playlists as I raced across the Safari.

For me, it was a coincidental time of transition. So much has happened back then.

As a travel junkie, I constantly looking for places to explore out of traditional urban tourist hubs. In a place like Egypt, this is particularly vital ; the country is rich with history, foods, fashion but there is so much else to enjoy on their outskirts.

So, here we go. The Bedouin Village.

I celebrated the beauty seen in my long-sightedness vision through the camera lens and my photos. Through the images, I see more of what is around me, framed and captured in many different ways.

In this journey so far, the tears have fallen from my brown orbs because there are crazy sandstorms once or twice. I encouraged my friends to step out of their comfort zones : we worn bruises from hiking Mount Sinai, we suffered from pain as we collided with corals under the sea and felt absolute exhaustion.

Yet, I have adapted far beyond that I thought, I felt immensely pride of myself. I valued my imperfect but capable body, and paused often to remember I am achieving my goals to grow.