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Marsa Alam with its 6.000
inhabitants is located 275km south of Hurghada,
about 4 hours drive along the Red Sea Coast through an absolutely stunningly
beautiful landscape. In Arabic Marsa
means a natural harbour and Alam is flag so this is so to speak the
"Flag-Harbour" of Egypt. You would not think so when you see it though.
The actual harbour has been under construction for as long as I can remember.
 The village itself is a small
fishing port with a bus terminal, a petrol station, a few grocery shops and some
restaurants but it’s a village in change.
Though Marsa Alam still is somewhat undiscovered, a major boom in tourism market
is inevitable.
Right now Marsa
Alam is transforming
into a holiday destination and in a few years I would not be surprised if there
is a McDonald’s and a Costa Coffee in place. To be totally honest it’s likely
that Marsa Alam (together with Marsa Ghaleb) takes over the as the most popular
destination in Egypt from established Egyptian resorts such as Hurghada and
Sharm El Sheikh.
Of course the dive industry that draws in most of the tourists
but Marsa Alam has also some fascinating inland attractions to
explore. For instance there are the emerald mines, the old Pharaonic gold mines
in Wadi Baramiya and the ancient Temple of Seti I at
Khanais in Wadi Miya. You can even get even further back in the history by
having a look at pre-Pharaonic rock inscription (above) portraying giraffes,
domesticated cattle and hunting scenes.
Since the opening of
the
international airport in 2001, this small fishing village has become the
new top Red Sea destination for diving enthusiasts. Located on the beach
the resorts around Marsa Alam offer comfort and freedom with a dramatic
desert- and mountain backdrop.
www.marsa-alam-airport.com
In Marsa Alam you still find the genuine Egypt with all it's god and
bad. Of course most westerners thinks it's a bit strange to find
butchers in the street carving up met in the open with a cigarette in
their mouth. However, this is how it's done here and to be honest I
don't think this gives a product less healthy than than meat we buy from
the cooler which most of the time is packed with antibiotics and other
stuff.
The Harbour in Marsa Alam
(above) has been under construction for quite some time now. Inshallah
it will be finished soon and there will be convenient boarding and
disembarking for the many liveaboard guests that pass through every
week. The options are Marsa Ghaleb to the north and Hamata to the south.
Diving around Marsa Alam |
