A wing and a prayer

[Ruu]

Well, I finally managed to book my tickets, so I shall be in Dahab on the 9th March. If anyone else is going to be around in Dahab for that week - give me a shout, since I (thanks to my yellow American friends) will be all alone (sigh) - I'll buy you a beer. I did all of this from the US for about $1100 (all flights / accomodation and diving), so I can probably offer a few tips if any adventurous americans feel like doing the same - the British ppl on the board are probably laughing at how much I paid, but a direct flight to Sharm from DC still costs about $1500.

Dave

 

[Conor]

Let us know how it goes, I'll hopefully be following you about a month later, assuming I can get some space on a plane

 

[Ruu]

Plane to London this morning (DC time), and then a plane to Sharm a few hours later. I'm so excited its sad.

Dave

 

[Ruu]

Well - made it back from Dahab OK. Brief report now - I'll fill in some detail and get a few pictures sorted out in the next week or so. In a nutshell.

1) The war.

Absolutely no grief from anyone. Can't guarantee that now that the situation has kicked off, but when I was there it was discussed but not dwelling on people's minds.

2) Dahab.

Quiet - extremely quiet, which is just how I like it. I have to say that I think some of the new development is actually quite nice, and much of the town still retains its old charm. Just my own humble opinion really.

3) Weather.

If you are going in March then take clothes for the evening, and after you dive - its not exactly warm when it gets dark and windy. Still plenty of sun during the day, so its nothing to worry about.

4) Diving.

Water is cold. A full 3mm is not going to be enough - I wore a 5mm shorty over the top and I was fine the whole time - I would plan on doing something similar, or wearing a full 5mm (some people wore drysuits, but I think that thats a little sensitive myself). Coral was good, with very little deterioration since the last time I was there (although the canyon did seem a little damaged, which isnt great). Sea life was still there - lots of big lionfish still, although I didn't spot even a single Moray the whole trip.

Ah well - life is good, but I had better get back to work.

Dave

 

[vanshook]

I am green right now. Please give me the details on your excellent travel deal, I am very interested.

JS

 

[Ruu]

No great secret really. I got lucky with flight number one - a gift from United airlines with DC -> Heathrow return for $309. You will probably be paying more than this to go, since the high season begins shortly, but transatlantic flights are hardly hard to find - just look around.

Normally I'm not one for package deals, but this time I managed to get a package that contained more or less exactly what I wanted. I used these guys:

http://www.mosaicholidays.co.uk/

No hassles at all - they picked me up from Sharm airport, dealt with the transfers to Dahab, dropped me at the hotel and then didn't bother me for a week until they picked me up again - perfect. Decent set of documentation came with the tickets, nothing went wrong, diving package was all arranged when I got there - what more can I say? I know that they have sold tickets to Americans before, but you may have to ask them nicely to make arrangements to pick them up or have them sent to you - I had the luxury of having them delievered to the UK, so I didn't need to bother.

Dave

 

[Conor]

You may also want to try;

http://www.coralcoastdivers.com
http://www.libraholidays.co.uk
http://www.crusadertravel.com
http://www.regaldive.co.uk
http://www.oonasdivers.com
http://www.longwoodholidays.co.uk
http://www.dive-urge.com
http://www.sportif-uk.com

All of whom can quote from the UK and offer really good deals. I have travelled with 4 or 5 of those and have spoken to the rest, all very helpful and friendly.

At least one of these has a member on this board that I know of and certain he would help you out if you wanted to go to the Red Sea. PM me if you want to be put in touch with him.

I'm off to Dahab in 3 weeks, providing the region doesn't get too hot.

 

[neilstewart]

Just a quick mention,

Last Tuesday Regal Dive emailed me to say I could have 1 week B&B in Hilton Hurghada including flights from Heathrow and 6 days diving all for £159 if I was prepared to fly on Sunday. Of couse people are cancelling in the light of the current situation, but if you are still prepared to travel and you leave it late you can get out in the Red Sea from the UK for nearly nothing at the moment.

Neil

 

[spottydog]

I also got the REgal email. The flights and accomodation was £159 and the diving buy one get one free so for 2 people with 5 days diving the cost was £436. There are similar prices for this week and I expect next week the prices for that week will go down.

Unfortunately I can't take any time off work at the moment to take advantage of these offers :-(