Nosing around Sinai

Given the lovely summer experience in Dahab, why not go back in a cooler period? This time the destination is not the sea but Santa Caterina and the coloured canyon: two excursions that in summer, given the high temperatures, prove exhausting. It is impossible to do both in a single day, both because of the length of the transfers and because of the physical energy required. I don't fancy getting up at dawn and climbing Sinai to reach the monastery of Santa Caterina, and I opt for a local car and guide to take me to the entrance of the site. The place is always full of tourists and certainly loses some of its religious atmosphere, but the landscape around it is truly breathtaking. The climb that leads to the point where you can take the classic photo certainly helps take your breath away, and luckily this time it isn't hot.

Demanding and very rewarding is the excursion to the coloured canyon: about six kilometres of ups and downs, with some boulders to get over, two narrow passages and a short unaided wall to climb. The choice to be a small group (4 people plus a guide) allowed us this time to savour sounds, lights, shadows and colours in complete freedom and calm.