I thought I deserved a sleep-in but I woked at 0600 despite the blackout curtains being drawn tightly. I lazed around till 0715 when I hit the gym.
My flight to Istanbul leaves at 0340 tomorrow morning and I have a 1200 check-out and 2345 departure from the hotel for the airport. After the gym and breakfast, my aim was to just have a nice relaxing day … something I haven’t had here or in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Oh, by the way … after 27 years of visiting the region, I finally get to taste fresh dates at breakfast today. I didn’t like them. They’re kinda like a dry fibrous grape. But the Om Ali was divine; pastry and bread soaked in a milk custard!
I had tried to get my check-out extended slightly but that wasn’t possible. The hotel was fully booked. But I was surprised they couldn’t accommodate me slightly as there are lots of flights arriving in the middle of the night here.
I killed part of the afternoon by one of the big pools with several swims and a late lunch. The sun sets at 1700 so by about 1530 it already feels like evening. By 1600, it felt late. I shifted to the fitness centre where they had a warm pool with massaging jets. Aawww, the temperature was just perfect!
I dried and dressed myself and shifted to the lobby around 1800. And from there to the poolside for dinner around 1930 accompanied by live music and dancing. The Russian or Ukrainian dancers were very good. They smiled broadly on stage but in real life, when lying by the poolside or working out at the gym, they are very sour-faced.
My leisurely dinner finished around 2130 when I relocated back to the lobby for the wait till 2345 when I’ll be taken to the airport by the hotel’s transfer service at EGP330 (USD20).
I had quite a few Egyptian Pounds left and decided to pay through my nose for my transport solution to the airport. Knowing how unreliable drivers can be outside the hotel, I didn’t want any hassles. Eg. I could have agreed on a price of EGP150 but they may change their mind if they get a better job. And around midnight it’s just awkward timing as well. And again, I tell myself not to be concerned about the price but the price differential.
It’s scary how I managed to kill or waste a day quite easily. Leaving the resort at 2345, I couldn’t help thinking how sheltered from the real Egypt I had been this visit (except for two brief moments). Everyone at the hotel had been so obliging and there were no hassles. It gave me an insight into how some people travel through Egypt or India and raving about what a wonderful hassle-free time they’ve had. Yep, but it’s not the real Egypt or the real India.