Travelogue

2019 was the last time we went diving in Sulawesi. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and trips of this kind were no longer possible. This year, we decided to go on another diving vacation. Together with our friends Birgit and Manuel, who are also passionate about this sport, we chose Marsa Alam on the Red Sea. The package tour with flight and hotel (we chose the Steigenberger Coraya Beach 5* - Adults only) was booked quickly, especially as Manuel and Birgit had already been there once and rated the hotel and the associated diving center as very good. And we were not disappointed.

Only the flight with Air Cairo took some getting used to. Only 1 cup of water was served on the 5-hour flight. Snacks and other drinks were subject to a charge. The food we booked online beforehand was absolutely inferior (half-warm pasta with a blob of Bolognese sauce and a few pieces of dry chicken). We know better.

We arrived at the hotel late in the evening, were able to check in quickly and found 2 plates with a night snack in our room. A really nice surprise.

Registering at the Coraya Divers Alaya diving center the next morning was no problem and was done quickly. We were able to leave our diving equipment there and stow it in the boxes provided. The first dives were booked for the next day. Because we hadn't dived for a long time, a check dive with a few standard exercises (filling the mask with water and blowing it out, taking the regulator out of the mouth and putting it back in, checking buoyancy) is required. Diving takes place in the shallow area of the bay. Manuel and Birgit were able to register for one of the diving destinations on offer straight away. They were already here last year.

Jutta had booked a course for the next day to perfect her buoyancy. In diving, buoyancy means balancing the downforce of the equipment with the buoyancy by supplying air to the buoyancy jacket and thus floating weightlessly in the water. This also includes determining and positioning the correct amount of weight so as not to tip forwards or backwards. In any case, the course was worthwile for her.

The rest of our group had chosen the Maheleg Reef (about a 30-minute minibus ride north of Marsa Alam) for diving that day. The destination was the Egypt Explorer Dive Club as a base, a fairly isolated, simple building in the middle of nowhere. Our equipment was brought a little later in a small truck. Diving takes place from a small jetty that extends to the edge of the reef. Two relaxed dives - a short break in between, then we went back to the diving center.

In the afternoon, Jutta and I attended and successfully completed a theory course on diving with NITROX. When diving with Nitrox (Enriched Air NITROX - EAN), the breathing gas used in the compressed air cylinder is air enriched with oxygen. In contrast to normal breathing air, this contains an oxygen content of between 32 and 40%. The nitrogen content is reduced accordingly. The advantage is longer diving times, shorter surface intervals and less tiring. In future we will be able to dive with Nitrox wherever we go.

We can't write enough about our hotel. We have stayed in many hotels on our travels, but the Steigenberger Coraya Beach blew us away. A spacious, well-maintained complex with service that leaves nothing to be desired. The breakfast and dinner buffet is so rich and varied that there is something for everyone. The pictures at the end of our photo album are proof of this. It should also be mentioned that the occupancy rate of more than 90% is not noticeable at all, neither at the 2 swimming pools nor on the beach in the bay. There are always enough sun loungers available. This is truly unique.

At this point we would also like to mention Vivianne and Holger from Dieburg, two other guests of the hotel who we met at the airport in Frankfurt and with whom we always had fun when we met.

After a day's break, which we spent relaxing by the swimming pool, the next booked dive trip was on the agenda. This time our destination was Shaab Marsa Alam (Little Dolphing House), first 20 minutes by bus to the port of Marsa Alam, then by zodiac to the diving boat and another 25 minutes to the reef. Shaab Marsa Alam is one of the most popular diving and snorkeling spots in the area. A wide coral reef with many small underwater pinnacles and coral gardens. In addition to moray eels, triggerfish, anemone fish and blue-spotted rays, you can also marvel at the wreck of a safari ship on the seabed. Both dives were beautiful and interesting.

Unfortunately, these were also our last experiences under water. Severe colds, pressure equalization problems and stomach upsets took their toll on us all, so diving was out of the question.

We spent the last few days mainly at one of the hotel's swimming pools.

The return flight home went without any problems, although as already mentioned the service was limited.

Finally, we would like to point out that the underwater world of the Red Sea has probably suffered greatly due to climate change and the high water temperatures of up to 30 degrees.

We will therefore gather information on possible diving areas before our next diving vacation and then decide where to go.

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