ArthurGerla
Contributor
I returned from Sharm tonight. There was a lot more police on the streets than a month ago (rumor has it the entire Sharm police force has been transferred to other towns as a punishment and replaced by fresh forces from Cairo). Rules that were put in place last year after Taba and had been pretty much relaxed last month (like taxis and such are not allowed to drive right up to hotel entrances) are enforced again, and barriers are being erected.
At the entrance to the main jetty area in the harbor all bags are searched for bombs, which is kinda silly as at the same time and in true Egyptian fashion carts loaded with equipment crates and tanks are waved right through.
Apparently Mubarak is in town, because yesterday morning the road between the airport and his usual resort was lined with police, one every fifty meters on both sides, as well as plainclothes guys further out. There was some coastguard activity too, and dayboats to and from the straits of Tiran have to stay much further out from the coast than usual. A Huey helicopter was ferrying supplies to Tiran island, and there was a string of lights on the summit after dark. Apparently some kind of camp or observation post has been established there.
The two bombed sites are hidden from view and reconstruction is already in full swing. Naama bay and the old market aren't bustling with people as they might have been, but they aren't empty either. My dive center had to let go some guides and a boat, but won't go under. The diving is as great as ever. Check out this huge Napoleon.
Art
At the entrance to the main jetty area in the harbor all bags are searched for bombs, which is kinda silly as at the same time and in true Egyptian fashion carts loaded with equipment crates and tanks are waved right through.
Apparently Mubarak is in town, because yesterday morning the road between the airport and his usual resort was lined with police, one every fifty meters on both sides, as well as plainclothes guys further out. There was some coastguard activity too, and dayboats to and from the straits of Tiran have to stay much further out from the coast than usual. A Huey helicopter was ferrying supplies to Tiran island, and there was a string of lights on the summit after dark. Apparently some kind of camp or observation post has been established there.
The two bombed sites are hidden from view and reconstruction is already in full swing. Naama bay and the old market aren't bustling with people as they might have been, but they aren't empty either. My dive center had to let go some guides and a boat, but won't go under. The diving is as great as ever. Check out this huge Napoleon.
Art
