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As I surveyed the luscious landscape, the waterfalls, streams, heated swimming pools and the long stretch of beach I could only gasp and say �Wow!�  No wonder the Kempinski is known as the Pearl of the Red Sea!




After our long journey across the desert, I could hardly wait to go for a swim so I donned my bathing suit and headed for the beach.  Imagine! A chance to swim in the Red Sea (called that name because of the red coral reefs), a sea that I had long-ago heard about in Bible stories. I envisioned myself drifting in the crystal clear water. 

I started to wade out and went farther and farther from shore, the water barely reaching my shins!  Now I know how Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt across the sea. They waded across! Finally I squatted down so it appeared that I was submerged and had my friend Linda take my photograph, just so I could say I �swam� in the Red Sea.












 In the evening Markos, Linda and I sat outside on the patio, ordered glasses of Egyptian wine (my favorite was the Omar Khayyam) and smoked a water pipe of pear flavored sheesah. This is a very communal type of pastime in Egypt, relaxing and sweet-tasting and not a narcotic smoked from a tall ornate pipe with long tubes for inhaling. Even a non-smoker like me enjoyed puffing away as we chatted and watched the glorious rosy sunset over the sea.









 Nearby is the Soma Bay Thalasso & Spa, said to be the best spa in Egypt and one of the largest in the world. It has 65 treatments rooms offering everything from traditional massages and beauty treatments to the latest in aesthetic treatments and hydrotherapy administered by highly trained therapists.  It�s located at the Cascades Hotel but is available to guests in the entire Soma Bay area. 


 We were invited to return for a free spa treatment.  But Markos, Linda and I had other plans: a night out in the nearby city of Hurghada. I knew I�d be too tired to enjoy the fun if I went to the spa, so I passed up the chance.  Good job too, because Yves was too tired to join us as we set off by van for a night of adventure in the city.

http://www.residencedescascades.com/



NEXT:  Exploring the Night-life of Hurghada.

I spent this Christmas in Salmon Arm, a beautiful little town tucked below the mountains, straddling the shores of Lake Shuswap.  My family members are skiers and snowboarders so one day we went on an excursion to the Silver Star Mountain Resort, a special treat for me even though I'm not a skier.

I'd been to Silver Star a couple of times in the past but only during the summer.  This time it was truly a 'winter wonderland'. It's a pretty village with Victorian-style houses painted pastel colours. There's a number of shops and eateries there and it isn't as high-end and expensive as some other resorts, such as Whistler, on the Coast.

I spent the day strolling the village and checking out the shops while the family skied.  There is 3,066 acres of hills with ski runs, and 12 lifts. There's very much a family atmosphere here and the slopes were teeming with family groups.  For the youngsters, there's a Kid's Zone where they can play on their own and have ski lessons while mom and dad tackle the steeper slopes. I saw one tiny fellow, couldn't have been more than two, on a wee pair of skis, being guided along by his grandparents.  And lots of children skiing on their own or being pulled in sleds.



If you've never been skiing there before you can take some tours to acquaint yourself with the mountain.  Free tours leave from the centre of the village every morning and afternoon. There are also Nordic XC Camps held on the mountain and heli-skiing from the village. If you want to spend your holidays there there are plenty of accommodations. (www.skisilverstar.com)