Sunday, February 21, 2010

Goodbye Dahab

By Claire
We're leaving our home of 10 days, Penguin Village, for a day in Sharm el Sheik, closer to the airport, for our return to Istanbul on Tuesday. We've had a great time relaxing on the pillows by the water reading our Kindles. Edel, the manager, has been friendly and helpful--everyone has, even if things didn't always work. Dahab is a nice place to relax.

Edel


We rewarded ourselves with some award winning desserts.





We finished our last night with a walk down the promenade to Ali Baba, famous for their huge, thick milkshakes. Chuck was craving some giant prawns and calamari sounded good to me.

Seafood on display outside the restaurant


The service at this place is amazing, they really hustle. First, they pour hand cleaner in your hands then they bring a bottle of complimentary water. Soon the complimentary mezes arrive.



Our main courses arrived in due time.



I burned my finger on the candle flame inside the onion ring.



Chuck loved his dinner but mine was just so-so. I guess I was expecting the calamari rings, fried and served with plenty of lemon juice like the ones at Symposium at home. Instead it was kind of bland and the vegetables were overcooked. The waiter was concerned that I hadn't really eaten anything and tried to convince me to try something else. He even brought over what he thought was the baby squid--raw. I passed.

So, they brought us a complimentary plate of fruit, which was very nice but what Chuck really wanted was that huge, thick milkshake.



I think it's the best I've ever tasted, especially if you order a coffee shake.

On our way home, we noticed a woman in a wheelchair and realized it was the French woman! She had a cast up to her knee. Someone was pushing her along so at least she was still getting around. It was nice to have closure on that episode and to know that she received what looks like good care.

On to more adventures...

Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” ~ Miriam Beard

2 comments:

Toni said...

I love the good pictures and the plug for Davis' Symposium. I've been following your wonderful posts even though I haven't been commenting. I especially loved all the places that advertise wifi but don't seem to have the slightest idea what it is!

Chuck and Claire said...

Toni,
Every so often we ask each other what we miss at home--Symposium really came to mind last night when I got that calamari. And then there's the spinach pizza and their grilled shrimp--but don't get me started. Good to hear from you.
Claire