Swimming With the Jellyfish

Well, the last 3 days were just like living in a dreamland.

Our first full day in Hurghada we decided to go snorkeling. We left the resort early in the morning and got on a larch yacht-like boat for an hour ride out to sea. Our escorts found us a good location and we snorkeled and dove off the edge of the boat for about an hour or two. We swam amongst the jellyfish and all sorts of colorful fish big and small. I also saw an eel at one point!

For lunch, we docked on a beach and ate at an outdoor restaurant. We got to spend about 30 minutes on the beach until getting back on the boat.

We then went to another location and snorkeled and dove some more. This was my first time snorkeling and it was so much fun. The first stop I took a while to get used to the breathing since I have asthma, but the second stop I felt much more comfortable and had a blast! On our way back to the dock we found a pack of dolphins! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. We returned to the resort around dinner time and had the rest of the evening to do as we pleased until our lecture. Our lecture was from one of Professor Hamad's closest friends, Judge Samir. He spoke to us about the Egyptian judicial system and the outcome of the preliminary presidential election.

Our all-inclusive drinks from Carlos!

Sarah and I with the sunset on one side of the dock and me with the moon on the other side

I scheduled an Egyptian Massage for the second day at the resort. The massage was a mix between a normal, Swedish massage and a therapeutic massage. It was very interesting, but quite relaxing. At the resort we got all the fresh squeezed juices and coffee drinks we wanted. We wrapped up our lecture on the Egypt-Israeli conflict; then for the next 24 hours were free to swim, relax, eat, or do anything else around the resort until our 36 hour excursion back to the states.

Our last night we got to go to dinner at the hotel - I chose to go for seafood!

Then we had some more birthday celebrations after dinner!! Happy Birthday to my Camel Riding Partner In Crime Alex!!

Birthday boy and girl dancing

And a last delicious banana, nutella, crepe breakfast before our journey home

We had some time to kill between flights in Cairo. So we went to a restaurant for food of course. Enjoying the menu options...

Then a man showed us his "balancing silverware with toothpick" party trick!

Phil bought this giant tube of mentos at the duty free store. Since he refused to model it for me, Emily stepped in.

We claimed our original spot in the Istanbul airport. Nap time?

I want to thank everyone who has kept up with my blog! I am now back home safe and ready to travel to Chicago on Saturday! Wishing everyone a wonderful summer!