El Gouna Egypt Dive Tribe

[Jules]

Jules & Bethi Go Large in El Gouna, Egypt - July 2004


This year was somewhat unusual since Matt (aged 15) was spending a lot of the summer holidays working in America with his dad, so that left Bethi (13) and I to go on holiday together.

True to fashion Mum wanted to do a dive holiday but it was important to Bethi to go somewhere where she could do other holiday stuff like play in the pool and meet other youngsters.

After much deliberation we chose the Movenpick Hotel in El Gouna and booked a 6 days dive package each with The Dive Tribe who have a dive center on the Movenpick complex.

We arrived at Gatwick in plenty of time to check into our flight. We took our cert cards and claimed our additional 10kg luggage allowance each with excel airways. This is a strange arrangement as you get told about it verbally but no-one will commit to it in writing. Anyhow we checked in our bags only to be told that due to technical problems the flight was delayed by 6 hours. So true to form “when the going get tough the girls go shopping” and we had a lovely few hours having a girly time, mooching around buying bikinis, new undies and numerous other things, not letting the delay bother us. After all who wants to get on a plane that needs fixing???

So we finally arrived in Egypt around midnight. When we stepped into the night air the first thought was “it’s hot” and we wondered quite how hot it would be during the day. It was HOT!

The hotel was lovely but huge! It was a five minute walk from our room to reception and a ten minute walk from there to the dive center. The room was lovely with excellent air conditioning, a balcony (good for early morning sunbathing). There were two swimming pools, gym, several restaurants, and everything you expect from a five star hotel.

On checking in we were given a letter from Dive Tribe giving details of Bethi’s scuba review for the following day. Dive Tribe suggest scuba review if you haven’t dived for two years. It had only been a year since Bethi did her Junior AOW on the liveaboard but we had agreed that it would be useful for her to do the review anyhow.

The scuba review included a written test (multiple choice) to find out which areas of theory needed revision and then lectures/discussion on the points that emerged. This was about three hours. Then there was pool session around an hour and a half where they did all the skills (taking mask off and clearing, retrieving regs, fin pivots, out of air drills, CESA, BCD removal and re-donning etc). I was impressed by the thoroughness of this course and Bethi said she had forgotten a lot so it was useful. It gave her a confident start to the holiday.

The diving with the Dive Tribe is all boat diving from a marina which is about ten minutes drive from the dive center. It’s nothing like sharm. The marina only takes three or four boats. They are really well organized and your kit in your own numbered box is taken onto the boat for you. The boats are spacious and well equipped and good safety briefings are given.

The diving was really suitable for Bethi, a lot of the reef sites being shallow with gradual bottom sloping away rather than sheer wall. The currents were negligible and there was plenty to see and photograph. Bethi took some great shots and really enjoyed downloading and reviewing her results each evening and refining her technique. She did brilliantly!





Diving with Beth was a real joy. Her buoyancy control is excellent, buddy skills first rate and she has a really responsible and safe attitude. She is just an excellent diver and was always exactly where I thought she was. She also has eagle eyes and spotted numerous nudibrancs, Picasso fish, eagle-rays, morays etc. She is such fun to be with. We just had a ball!





I am not going to do a report of all the dives but we loved the Dolphin house where we were delighted to hear and then see a pod of dolphins. I got a video clip of it and will post it when I work out how!

Another highlight was the Giannis D, one of the Abu Nahas wrecks. The Dive tribe only go out to the Abu Nuhas reef if the conditions are really flat calm so we were a bit disappointed to miss the Carnatic and other wrecks we wanted to do. But then it’s just a reason to go back isn’t it?


Bethi on Giannis D




If you have never been to El Gouna then it is worthy of a mention. Georgina particularly recommended it for us as it is safe and you don’t get hassled. It’s a new development near to Hurgada and hence has it’s own ambience. It’s really pretty, but somewhat artificial; if Disney made a diving resort it would be El Gouna. This isn’t a criticism but just a way of explaining that the newness of the resort hasn’t really developed a character yet. It was great for us though because we felt really comfortable going downtown without anyone trying to drag us into their shops or propose marriage to Bethi.

Simon TW suggested that we waited for him to go into Hurgada and true enough we had a hilarious shopping trip where Simon demonstrated the finer art of haggling, the poor shop keeper was in tears over 20 egyption pounds (less than 2 quid). We also witnessed Simon’s technique for demonstrating that the so-called stone objects d’art were in fact plastic by setting fire to one of them. Bethi was in tucks! It was also lovely of Simon to entertain us in his home , feed us the best spag bol I have ever had and show us his dive kit emporium! Diver’s warehouse had better watch out.

This is simon and his motor capable of transporting loads of dive kit!





Anyhow I have posted some of my pics in the gallery and Bethi has posted some of hers in the photography forum. I would definitely recommend El Gouna and The Dive Tribe, especially for newly qualified or younger divers.

Jules & Bethi.

[Darren A]

Think Finless had the same problem a while back. Check out the system errors forum, I think the suggestions made in there worked for him.Look forward to reading your report!

Daza


Here is the link http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ead.php?t=9497

[And]

Hi

Great report

Andy

[Mr T.]

Done it for ya Jules

xx

[Jules]

Cheers Buddy!

[SCUBA Chick]

Great report Jules...still trying to decide if it is our thing or not!!!!

Happy Diving...

Scubachick

[Georgina]

Hiyya
Glad you had a great holiday. What fantastic pictures! I will not forgot that night in Hurghada, it was so funny. Sorry we didn't get to meet up again before you left. I got hit with the Egyptian bug big time!!

[Simon TW]

I've just logged on after a few days absent (I've got a note) nice report, when are you coming back? It's nice to entertain nice people and you'll not need to mess around with shoddy hotels next time.

You know where I am.

[SCUBA Chick]

Originally Posted by Simon TW

It's nice to entertain nice people and you'll not need to mess around with shoddy hotels next time.

You know where I am.

You ought to watch what you are saying Simon or we'll all be taking you up on your offer!!!!

Scubachick

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by scubachick1972

You ought to watch what you are saying Simon or we'll all be taking you up on your offer!!!!

Scubachick

Ma-fish-ma-skellon.