Ramblings

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Going home

MONDAY 8th

Once again the cloud has returned but at least the wind is blowing from the south and the temperature is rising. With most of the packing done we headed down to our sunbeds. We only had a couple of hours as our cases have to be ready for noon even though we are not departing for the airport until 2pm. The lagoon is now open but no-one was in the area. Probably not enough children around.


Our sunbed neighbours were certainly making the most of it. They had been to Eilat and had a lovely day although they didn't go swimming with the dolphins. No longer are the creatures let out into the sea at night due to the behavior of some tourists. So for their own protection they remain in the enclosed reef. They told us some people wanted them to perform tricks but Management refuse - if the dolphins wish to act naturally all well and good. They found Eilat itself was dirty. The market stalls selling hand crafted goods was tat! The population is now in thousands and adjoining Jordan has twice as many residents as Eilat.

We returned to our room due to the flies which is just as well as the porter was knocking on our door at 4 minutes past noon whilst I was struggling to find a securing strap. We took a leisurely lunch in 'Breeze' and a photo of the staff which Bassem, the restaurant Manager, wants emailing to him. (Ithink Bassam looks like Bernie Winters if anyone can remember the entertainment duo of Mike and Bernie Winters.)




Congregating in the foyer we had already received instructions as to which coach we should board. We were on 4, the last. I chatted to Margaret, who was to travel on 3, recalling to time we were heading for the airport in Majorca and they couldn't get the luggage door closed and in the end had to get a replacement bus causing a mad dash to the airport and then being raced through to board the plane. So you can image my thoughts when as we sat in our coach the staff were having great difficullty in closing the luggage door immediately under my window. The problem turned out to be someone's golf clubs. All the Management and some staff stood and waved goodbye until we were out of sight which we thought was a very nice gesture. I had commented to one of the Managers who we have spoken to on several occasions that I wished he wasn't looking so happy that we were all leaving!
Our journey of 45 minutes as we had no picking up to do took us through the various security gate. At the last gate an official boarded and inspected our passport entry stamp and immigration card which has just filled out before allowing us to proceed any further. We passed a few more desolate hotels stating that nothing would entice us to come and stay in these locations. Being daylight we had chance to see the scenery that we missed in the dark. It had been 29C in Taba so getting out of the coach at the airport felt very cold. Queueing was stretched across a road along a path outside the small terminal building and so those that travelled in shorts and Tshirts were soon putting on thick jackets. We began to wish we had not packed our fleeces in the suitcases, but at least the line was moving faily quickly. Keith wanted the toilet and made his way to a block close to the coach park only to be stopped by an official who said there was no water. Inside the terminal building I was ushered into the queue to check in despite telling the officer I was waiting for my husband who was in the toilet. He thought I wanted the toilet and pointed me in the right direction! Reaching the check in desk our clerk was on the phone, talking to a colleague, and asking if we had prebooked seats. Issuing our boarding cards we found we were sitting on aisle seats which was fine but on different rows. More security checks and this time some of the women were up in arms as their tubes of makeup and cream were confiscated despite being the recommended size and all placed in a sealed clear bag. I play safe and put it all in my suitcase since having some perfume confiscated. Our seats were near the front and I had actually got extra leg room. Keith was a row behind on the opposite side and didn't and so we swopped seats as his knees were touching the seat in front. Despite the extra legroom he still found the flight uncomfortable and for some reason it took an hour longer to fly home. He declined the meal and I chose vegetarian being told by a Dale Winton look alike it was something like apricots and couscous but have the sausage and mash. I had the apricots and it was delicious, one of the best charter meals I have tasted. I even indulged in the apple crumble remembering it was 25 Egyptian pounds at the Dive Centre! Touching down at Gatwick we were a little alarmed to see at least 12 snow ploughs lined up by the runway but at least the ground was dry. Bad news the temperature was 1C. There was an icy wind blowing as we waited for our courtesy bus back to the Cambridge Hotel. We arrived just in time to have a meal before the restaurant closed. Bad news breakfast finishes at 9am!

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