Diving Map

So here is my diving map!

I'm hoping to add a least a new sea or ocean before the end of the year!

Olympics 2012

Are you guys into the Olympic Games?

This year, I've been following them very often. I love the intensity of the moment and the mixed feelings of the athletes during the few minutes of games!

The stress, the struggle, the competitiveness, the ambition, the satisfaction or disappointment on their faces...! It's crazy!!

Here are some amazing shots from NBCNews that really convey the emotion of the games!

Egypt - Some Facts

Here are some facts I'd like to share about Sharm el Sheikh:

-The water is very salty! Once you dry, all your skin and hair are covered in white.

-You become super tanned in one day! Since the temperature is really high and with the sea that accelerates the tanning, you should be careful when staying under the sun for a long period time.

-The water is transparent and very calm. You can actually see hundreds of fishes while swimming.

-Sharm is a city that lives at night with its many cafes and clubs such as the very famous Pacha from Ibiza!

-You will taste the best seafood platters!

-And the best mangos and guavas juices or ice creams!!

The Pacha- Huuuge on the inside!

Egypt - Diving in the Red Sea

Among the different aquatic activities practicable in Egypt, the ones I couldn't miss were snorkeling and diving.

Snorkeling has always been a passion. Anywhere I go, I always try to find a place where I can put on a mask and a tuba to explore the underwater world! Specially in the Red Sea since the water in so clear and the corals only a few meters away.

But diving was another story! Several years ago during a holiday in the Dominican Republic, I took an initiation to diving class. After practicing the utilization of the oxygen bottle and the different technics in the swimming pool, the time had come for a real dive!! We all woke up early the second morning, super excited (I was super scared!!) took the boat and once in the middle of nowhere, the boat stopped and we had to jump!! After hesitating for almost 15 minutes (I actually started to consider my options from the moment I could't see the beach!) I finally stayed on the boat with the captains.

The long hours I spent waiting for the others to come back made me think and regret my decision.

I thought to myself: Next time I have the occasion, I will jump in the water! 

And that's why I couldn't leave Egypt hadn't I dived in the Red Sea!

It was such an amazingg experience!!

My uncle is a member of a diving club and they have a special kind of notebook where they check all the places they dived in. Since I had not taken enough classes to pass my diving license, I couldn't get one. So I decided to record all the places I would dive in here!

1.

Red Sea - Check!

Egypt from my iPhone

Sharm el Sheikh, I can't think of a better place to build a touristic complex than at the meeting point of the desert and the sea!

From a birds' eye, the city can appear quiet artificial, however the first walk you take in the environment makes you forget about your first impression as you find yourself seeking for "exotic" activities in a bedouin environment.
In fact, in a city where everything is organized to take advantage of everyone one of there resources (be it the sea or the desert) you will hardly be able to stay inactive during the entire stay!

   1st glance at the city

Amazing view from the plane

We took a walk in the souks where you can find several products from the Red Sea such as soaps, salt, stones to clean the body... and had lunch in an unexpectedly delicious fish restaurant called Fares.

The best mango, mango juices and ice creams you'll ever have!!

(coming from someone who lived in Cote D'Ivoire for 10 years)

And of course the good amount of adventure you expect

Coolest neighbors!

Next Stop Adventure...

A few month ago while I was surfing on the internet, I stumbled upon a description that caught my attention and truly inspired me:

"Get out of town! Seriously, from the glam life in Mumbai, India to charitable work across Africa, there is always a new place to experience just around the corner of the globe! [...] Next stop, adventure"

                                                                                                                              - MC Traveler

What an interesting description to boost your life and take some initiatives! 

Adventure is not only related to visiting new places, quite often it is the place next door. The creation of an idea, the participation in a project, a new acquaintance... You never know where it will take you but one thing is sure: it will always be worth it!

Mercier, tour du monde