A few days ago we got back from Sharm El-Sheikh. As soon as we moved to Egypt, we put Sharm on our bucket list because its a coastal town on the Red Sea with beautiful beaches and affordable resorts. You guys, we moved to Egypt 9 weeks ago. Our lives have been BUSY. As you may have read in a previous post, our trip to Fayoum was a fun-filled adventure but it was not super relaxing. (This is not to say that Fayoum isn’t a relaxing place, it can be! But while we were there, most moments were on-the-go). Needless to say, when our four-day weekend came up we were excited to get some R&R.
And it was everything we needed it to be! Here are some highlights.
As is custom, we hired a driver for the 5+ hour drive. We could have taken a flight (Cairo to Sharm takes about an hour) but that would have been more expensive with 5 of us. Driving made more sense. We also caravanned with another family, and a second group of friends drove themselves and met us the next day (they’ve lived in Cairo for 4 years and are super brave and rent cars!) Anyway, because Sharm is located on the Sinai Peninsula there are several security checkpoints we had to go through. I have never been more excited to have an American passport. Each time we stopped (there were probably 6 checkpoints along the way) our driver said, “They’re American” and we got waved right through. We did have to get out at one point, and another checkpoint took 30 minutes, but overall it was pretty painless. Unfortunately, our kids are starting to think it’s normal to hire a driver and rent a ridiculously large van to drive places…
We stayed at an all-inclusive resort right on the beach.
I expected to see crystal-blue waters and sandy beaches, but I was surprised to see so many tropical fish come right up to us as we waded into the water. Our resort was located next to a coral reef so it was a perfect time to do some snorkeling.
Our friends brought this mask and Kyle was quite excited to try it out. I think he looks ridiculous.
I was surprised to find tropical fish off the coast of a desert. Someone please explain this to me.
The proximity of the beach made up for the fact that the sand was BLAZING hot.
Our resort had an infinity pool which obviously has the coolest view, but we spent very little time here because it was usually full of tanned Europeans taking glamour shots.
This pool was more our speed.
I’m encouraging Kennedie to pursue a full time career in synchronized swimming.
That’s the cutest five-year-old in the pool, right there.
Our resort had a bus system that would take us from our room to the restaurants and pools. The kids and I were huge fans! Kyle thought it was ridiculous that we didn’t walk. I reminded him that we were on vacation and that he should take a chill pill and relax and have a beer. He usually took my advice.
We call this “public transportation light.”
Who DOESN’T love waking up, putting on your swimsuit, and catching the bus to the buffet breakfast? Certainly not us.
Speaking of breakfast, homegirl over here has mastered the art of all-inclusive buffets. #Proudmom.
Nailed it.
100% of children are happy children when waterslides are involved.
It did not take long for the kids to figure out that the drinks in the bar were “free” and that the bartender would mix up anything their little hearts desired.
Sometimes they still choose to sit in the same chair. I love how they’re such great friends!
Every night there was some sort of entertainment in the amphitheater. The kids were mesmerized by the dancing routines, likely due to the fact that the costumes were either quite skimpy or full of tassels and ribbons and flowy fabrics. Either way, my children are learning to appreciate the arts.
That’s a wrap! Can we go back?
