My Life in a Cloud: Middle Eastern Haven

On the 7th of January this year I got on a flight from Dubai and went to the beautiful Sharm El Sheikh. I met my friend from New Zealand there, and I knew I was in for an amazing four days... and i was right

The next four days were nothing short of amazing... full of sunshine... beautiful beaches... and beautiful people

We stayed at the Marriott Beach Resort in Naama Bay... which was an excellent choice, as after walking around and checking out all the resorts, it was the most beautiful by far. It had the best beach area and was within walking distance of the main town area. However, there were two other options that were slights (key word being SLIGHTLY) closer to the main town area and were also very decent were; the Hilton and Novotel

Sharm El Sheikh visitors be warned: When you are booking at a resort in Naama Bay make sure that you request the beach side and not the mountain side. Basically every hotel/resort in Naama Bay has two parts which are exactly across the road from each other; the beach side and the mountain side. And although guests of either can use the facilities of both... crossing that main road that seperates the two is no fun

Also, as per my Nepal post, always negotiate and agree on the cab fare before you get in the cab. We found this out the hard way twice... from the airport to the resort, and on another occasion from the resort to the old town area. When you arrive at the airport, some guy will walk up to you asking if you need a cab - and although he will get you a cab, he will also rip you off at the same time - so say NO. Walk out of the terminal and there will be plenty of cabs outside which you can negotiate a price with. THE AIRPORT IS LITERALLY 2 MINUTES FROM ALL RESORTS IN NAAMA BAY.... DO NOT ACCEPT A HIGH CAB FARE!!!

However, overall, Sharm was very cheap; we stayed four nights at the best resort in town and spent AED3,000 which included accomodation, flights, and all other expenses (including cabs)!!!

First night, we went for a walk into town where it felt like you were in the old Vegas. Neon lights everyone... everyone out and about having dinner/coffee/shisha, looking fab and ready to hit one of the three most popular spots in town; Pacha, Bus Stop or The Hard Rock!... We had dinner at some extremely popular shisha spot in the middle of the town centre and just sat back and people watched taking it all in!... What a place!

Second day, we spent by the pool at the resort where we soaked up the sun, sipped on cocktails, and did little else!... At night; we got all dolled up and went to the main town area for dinner and boy were we spoiled for choice. For a place as small as Naama Bay, the number of beautiful cafes and restaurants is insane. So we chose some place that was full of young beautiful people and we had a wonderful arabic meal. We stayed for a while until the food had digested, then headed on down to Pacha where the party was really happening. The place is amazing; its semi outdoor, and multi levels (kinda felt like we were in a jungle)!... we partied the night away then headed back to the resort for some much needed sleep

Third day was beach day... the beach was so beautiful that we were kicking our selves for going to the pool the day before. The water was warm and crystal clear. There were people swimming, diving, snorkling, you name it. So again, we spent the majority of the day soaking up the sun, sipping on cocktails and doing little else!. At night, we headed back down to town, but this time it was not to party... it was to SHOP! The shops there have some of the most beautiful jewellery and accessories i've ever seen, and the prices are amazing.

Fourth day was full of beaches, lunches, more shopping and walking around exploring the beautiful Naama Bay!

It is true what they say though... Sharm is full of Italians. Sometimes I had to remind myself that I was still in the Middle East

An incredible Middle Eastern haven overall and very highly recommended

Although a bit of warning: It tends to get very cold at night around January so make sure you take warm clothes!

I think i left my heart in Sharm El Sheikh!!! xo