Hello.: Hurghada

Every Sunrise Feels Like A Gift

On the last day, we awoke before the sun. Actually we didn't even went for sleep after playing many games, we were just watching our GoPro videos on TV, laughing at each other for our own silly antics that were recorded and broadcasted among us.

I know. We are silly.

Groggy, we filed out of the suite into the beautiful chilly dawn towards Sunna Day Palma's most beautiful spot, the bay. The surrounding was quiet and remnants of the night still pooled behind the buildings. There were no other people in sight and any boats that passed kept their distance away from our spot. The sunrise was slowly approaching and we felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.

We walked towards the bay where we were treated to spectacular, private views of the cold, vast sea before our very orbs. Lights slowly clicked on in the buildings around us as more people can be seen walking downstairs towards the beach, probably for the same reason as us- to watch the sunrise. The whole place appeared to be struggling to rise from its heavenly slumber.

A hint of light revealed itself on the horizon over the infamous Red Sea. The sky seemed to be waking up ever so slowly, and along with it, the hyper-excitement of our little group. With a quickening pace, the warm yellows chased away the dark blues higher above our heads. We gathered by the small sitting place and on the edges by the sea, almost pulled by the sun's beckoning rays and sat quietly on the wet place for a while, enjoying the inner privacy and the silence while letting our eyes roamed all over the beauty all around us.

"We need to get up early from now on."

"This is too beautiful."

I smiled upon hearing their words as I'm thankful that they were immensely enjoying the breathtaking view as I was. Dinie was dedicated to captured the best moment of us enjoying the morning, he went to great length as he took our photos while he was standing in the middle of the open water.

Fortunately, the water only reach his thighs.

Because we started the day with the rising sun, we were hyped to go for a swim by the beach later.

"My favourite part of today was sitting with all of you with awe and wonder watching the sunrise."

We talked about how beautiful the world is, appreciating that we got to see the magnificent view and felt about how every sunrise feels like a gift. It's a beautiful promise of a wonderful day starting, and the hope of a new beginning.

We basked in the light for a while. The sea under our feet reflected our shared emotions and we commemorated the moment with a selfie.

14:59
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Serendipity in Hurghada

Backpacking

"We're by the beach at the back of the hotel."

Iswari read the Whatsapp messages left by our group while we went to the front reception to ask about our accommodation. Iswari read the messages again in her loud voice and we looked at each other curiously. Which part of beach? The private beach went on for quite a distance and they only told us that?

Nevermind.

"We can always find them. Besides, I think they were just gonna sit around by the waves."

Iswari nodded, determined to not let the earlier disappointment with the receptionist went on any longer. We placed our bags behind a small counter and marched onto the beach.

We arrived in Hurghada after eight hours on a night bus from Cairo, a decent R&R along the way and after the argument that we just had at the front reception. I suppose every journey needs some kind of turbulence but come on, give me a break. We didn't even start our blissful short vacation, yet.

We were enamored with the picturesque landscape of the hotel and the private beach just behind the building. It was completely different from the view from the front of my tiny apartment in Zagaziq that I accustomed for almost six years now. Instead of dusty brown buildings with mold spreading on it, we were greeted with warm blue sea that swept across the place as long as our eyes could see. The hue brought peace deep within me, my mind became calm and comforting.

I was wide awake, didn't even sleep a wink in almost thirty-six hours before and I was tired. Exhausted. Rather that sprouting the nonsense of not getting enough sleep (just because I'm suffering from

insomnia, doesn't mean I get to lash everything out on my friends) and speaking bullshits, I sat by the beach and wonder.

"Tipah, you should pose like this."

Dinie asked a friend to pose for his camera while he acted the intended pose with some difficult leg-twisting. Even I couldn't comprehend what kind of pose that he wanted.

"Seriously? Ridiculous."

"Come on. Syalla, Timah, why don't you guys teach her how to do it?"

Syalla and Timah looked at each other before hysterically laughing at Dinie.

"Impossible. Difficult. Next pose, please."

It's a delight of watching your friends laughed and making jokes without an ounce of care on their minds, simply having fun just because they wanted to. Dinie was busy photographing Tipah while asking her to do some ridiculous poses while Timah and Syalla criticizing at the back, Iswari sat at the end of the bench and smiling while watching our small group of fools fooling around and Lil ate her cronut with pure joy.

My mind jumps from the wonder of viewing my friends having their fun to the past memories that I had lived in. I remembered the lingering taste of the Bedouin mint tea on my taste buds in Siwa Desert and stopped to engage with the locals. I recalled telling jokes and exchanged life stories with the same group whom I had been friends with for almost four years now. Amidst all the escapades that we had together, a few of my favourite memories were the simple nights by ourselves, full of unhealthy snacks, horror movies, reading aloud, dancing and singing to bunch of Indonesian songs and playing various games that eventually led us to not sleeping and feeling grumpy the next morning.

My travels revealed just how much truly loving people means learning about, accepting and simply sharing life with them, no matter their lifestyles or backgrounds.

The friendships are what I value the most as it is through people that one reaps various outstanding benefits. I was simply fortunate for the great friends that I have and knew. My introverted mind might wish that they will never instilled a deep meaning of the word friendship in me but what I have gained certainly worth everything.

Oh yeah, the video is here.

20:35
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Red Sea Dive : Hurghada

Backpacking

It was 43 degrees on that day. The scorching sun burned through the sky and the land of Pharaoh was immediately greeted by the dry, African summer heat.

Arriving in Hurghada at wee hours after we spent almost eight hours on the bus from Cairo really took a toll on all of us. We ended up waiting almost an hour and half for our guide, Mr Hisham to come pick us up at the bus station.

We were brought into Mr Hisham's company, Diamond Red Sea; the place was quite huge, completed with dorms and rooms for rent. Mr Hisham is actually a diver instructor and he will be our guide for the next three days.

We spent the next three days on the boat at Red Sea. We dived, snorkelled, swam from one boat to another. The summer heat, plus with warm sea breeze kept eating us alive but we just didn't care at that time. At least until we didn't realize how burnt our skin were.

The Red Sea was famous for the corals and also the wreck dive. We took advantage of the beauty underwater, feasting our brown orbs with the ethereal nature presented right in front of us.

It was unreal, magical even. We were diving amongst the sea creatures, surrounded by giant, colourful corals and crushing waves. It was one of those moments you play back in your mind, wondering if it was indeed real.

Phone service was spotty, internet coverage is impossible. Even without a defined schedule, our days on the ocean was filled up with activities. There's breakfast, luncheon and evening tea on the boat, swimming around the boats, even chess games took place. I spent times by reading or sleeping if I didn't went down for diving.

How to get there :

Take night bus from Cairo (we went with GoBus) straight to Hurghada. The ride takes about eight hours, hence the night bus.

What to do :

Walk around the streets around the town and stop in the shops selling shawls, Arab sandals and all kind of souvenirs. Wander around the beach for a view of the vast blue ocean and of the idyllic sunset.

Where to eat :

There's a whole kind of foods there, just name it. From Arab delicacies to Western cuisines, Hurghada offers it all.

By the way, this is the video of us in Hurghada. Enjoy.

Adios

16:14
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