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Some Cool videos of El Gouna life

Roger — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:11:10 +0000

Diving in El Gouna

Kite Surfing in El Gouna

Living in El Gouna: Sun, Sand, and Surf

Roger — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:45:00 +0000

El Gouna is a relatively new city found in the eastern part of Egypt, on the coast of the Red Sea. The city’s origin as a tiny, sleepy village can hardly be discerned now, with the influx of numerous tourists and establishment of several commercial entities that primarily cater to them.

The city is fortunate enough to have an international airport within its limits, which serves several daily flights to and from Cairo and other cities in Europe.

The city is perfect for sun-lovers, with its warm to hot climate and the most favorable days occurring during the months of June to October. Wearing a hat when outdoors and staying inside during midday is a small price to pay for not having to contend with freezing temperatures (and joints) found elsewhere in the world.

El Gouna’s biggest attraction is its close proximity to the marine bounty offered by the Red Sea. It is a prime scuba diving destination, with several beautiful and unique dive sites near its shores. Consequently, this has fuel the growth of this particular tourism sector, with numerous dive centers and resorts established in the past decade alone. Living close to the beach means being able to enjoy constant sunshine the whole year through, and having the ultimate beach lifestyle. Its location has also made it a haven for several water sports, like wind surfing, jet skiing, and sailing. Water-based recreation include swimming, snorkeling, and fishing, both near the shore and farther out into the sea. Families can hire glass-bottom boats and spend the day looking down at corals and fishes under water.

Another popular family destination does not even need one to go near the waters. The Marine Biology Museum offers a glimpse of the underwater treasure found within the area and is a good place to learn about marine life and its interaction with the rest of the environment and with the people.

And those seeking a respite from the glaring sun and surf can always drop by Downtown or the Marina, where there’s always a bargain to be had. Items both imported and locally made are available in both places, sometimes at lowered prices compared to nearby neighborhood shops. The area also has numerous restaurants and coffeehouses where one can spend a quite afternoon or evening in, with wide ranges of cuisines and menus offered.

During the night, the city comes alive with numerous nightclubs and bars. Some hotels, have their own discos to entertain their guests and visitors. However, there are several notable nightlife establishments dotting the city’s landscape for those seeking an exciting night or two.

There are also several attractions to be found away from the beaches. Forays into the nearby desert can also be arranged, with four wheel drives offering the best means of exploring sand dunes.

Living in El Gouna not only means having an exotic address. It also entails the best that Egypt has to offer. With lots of real estate developments strategically located where residents can enjoy all the amenities and attractions the city has to offer, living here is like being on a vacation the whole year through. With the beach just beyond one’s doorstep and the desert landscape as backyard, who could ask for more?

Credit: Image via Flickr

Scuba Diving in El Gouna

Roger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:15:53 +0000

The Red Sea has contributed much to the countries bordering it. Apart from being a major trading route, the main source of household and industrial water, as well as being a source of livelihood for the average fisherman, this particular body of water is also a huge tourism asset. For years, dedicated divers have come from all parts of the world to experience for themselves what it’s like scuba diving Red Sea.

A tremendously wide array of marine life is supported by the Red Sea. Because of conservation efforts of bordering countries and the regulation of fishing activities, there are numerous coral reefs in this body of water that are home to countless numbers of fishes and other marine animals. There are more than a thousand species of fishes recorded in the area, and some of these species are found only in the Red Sea. Vertical sea walls, caves, and underwater plateaus await dedicated divers who wish to go exploring. An added bonus is the water’s clear visibility the whole year through, as well as its very favorable weather conditions. Most visitors visit the area during spring or fall, when the climate’s quite ideal for spending outdoors the whole day.

Because of the popularity of the area as a prime diving destination, there are a lot of dive centers that set up shops in the shores of the Red Sea. All of these centers offer either day dive trips or liveaboards, or both. There are several popular areas for scuba diving Red Sea such as those sites found in North Sinai, South Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada, South Egypt, Off Shore and Deep South, as well as diving sites associated with the coast of Sudan, Jordan, and Yemen.

Apart from the natural coral reefs found in the Red Sea, several ship wrecks have also provided artificial anchors for both soft and hard corals and have, over time, become coral reefs themselves. This wreck sites are also popular scuba diving destinations in the Red Sea, often becoming itineraries of day trips and liveaboard trips.

To protect the marine ecosystem and minimize human impact, all divers are cautioned against touching anything found underwater. This regulation, which should be diligently observed, is part of the greater effort to conserve this vast natural resource that has provided, and is continuing to provide, equally vast revenues to dive centers and various local governments in the area. In some areas, divers are not permitted to wear gloves, least they get tempted to reach out and touch a curious plant or coral when they’re underwater. The boats are also not permitted to throw down their anchors and drag them along the sea bed.

Visitors wishing to explore these natural treasures underwater should make the necessary preparations beforehand. For those trying this recreation for the first time, they should make the necessary arrangements with dive centers for training. The importance of selecting a suitable dive centers cannot be underestimated, as competent diving instructors and guides are the ones that ensure the safety and enjoyment of each scuba diver.

Credit: Image via Flickr

Tips on Buying Properties in El Gouna

Roger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:12:10 +0000

It may seem like a dream come true, buying a property along the Red Sea Riviera, enjoying the sun and the beach all year round. There are several areas along this famous tourist destination that are currently undergoing fast-pace growth and development, and one of these areas is the coastal city of El Gouna.

However, buying real estate properties in this city is a tad complicated compared to purchasing a beach house somewhere near where you currently live. But for those dedicated individuals determined to give themselves and their family the ultimate dream house, there are several tips to consider before putting your name on the dotted line.

First, be sure to select the right real estate agent that you can trust explicitly. Apart from honestly, one characteristic that you need to look for in your agent is the desire to make the purchasing process easy for you, while letting you be updated with every detail and does not leave out any specifics of the sale. It would also help to find an agent who speaks your native language, to aid in communicating what you want and what they offer. It will not also hurt to check their credentials with government agencies concerned.

Second, be sure that your agent is aware of your purpose for purchasing a property, so he or she can narrow down the list of prospects. Examples of purposes for buying a property in El Gouna include for long time occupancy, using it as a vacation home, or making it an investment where you can resell at a much higher price. Also, determine what kind of property are you interested in buying, whether a villa, apartment, or a beach house. Make sure that your agent understands your preferences, as well as the ideal location you want. Some properties in El Gouna are located near the foreshores and the beach, where most of the tourists converge. You might also consider properties near commercial areas like shopping malls and restaurants, or one with breathtaking views of the nearby countryside.

Third, have the financial aspects of the deal ironed out. This includes knowing just how much you can afford and what you expect to get at a certain value. Be sure to know all the options available, including taking a mortgage.

Fourth, be familiar with El Gouna and its locality. Before you come to inspect the property you are planning to purchase, be sure you know about this city and its vibrant culture. Know that even if it’s a major tourism hub in the country, it is still a place with its unique customs and traditions that you, as a visitor or a long-time resident, need to respect. There are a lot of great sources in the web, and it will do the prospective buyers some good to do research. So much the better if you know somebody already living there, since you can now have first-hand information on what the place is like. Your trusted real estate agents can also provide you with useful information that you can check further through the internet and through books, if you want to.

And if it’s time for you to come and take a look of the property you want to purchase, take the time to evaluate if it meets your needs and that of your family. Be sure you are aware of the available utilities and its sources. Know also that you have myriad choices of properties you can buy and that it wouldn’t hurt to check other available houses or villas nearby. Now is also the time for you to do a last-minute, personal evaluation of your esteemed real estate agent, when you meet them face to face. When something does not feel right, then it never hurts to be extra cautious. Make sure everything’s to your satisfaction before making the crucial move of paying for the property.

Happy house hunting!

Credit: Image via Flickr

The Beauty of Living in El Gouna

Roger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:31:50 +0000

El Gouna is a resort town located 22 kilometers north of Hurghada. Owned by Orascom Hotels and Development, it is considered a tourist paradise filled with all the amenities any visitor from all corners of the globe could wish for.

However, El Gouna is more than just a mere resort on the Red Sea. It is also considered as a prime real estate location. Because of its meandering canals, all properties have its own private beach front. Residents also have myriad choices of structures they can purchase, from villas to apartments, to suit their lifestyle. Adding to the beauty of the place are quaint stone bridges that enhance El Gouna’s aesthetic appeal.

And because it is not as commercially-oriented as the nearby Hurghada, relative peace and quite can be enjoyed by both visitors and residents alike.

The town is laid out in three different parts, the Abu Tig Marina, the Downtown area, and the Tamh Henna square. Most commercial establishments are concentrated in the downtown area, where there are supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, and wireless internet access.

Apart from its natural attractions, the beauty of El Gouna lies along its numerous canals, rows and rows of attractive houses that are handsomely constructed according to the developer’s strict specifications. Far from being uniform and boring, these houses are designed by various architects who derived their inspirations from the beauty of its surroundings and with ultimate luxury in mind.

At Abu Tig Marina, potential residents can have the choice of living in domed structures complete with Arabesque details and sweeping views of the marina.

In the neighborhood simply called the Hill, villas and apartments are designed with the rustic yet classic charm of Tuscany in mind. Villas are also available at the Fanadir lagoons, which are built in Andalusian style, and in the Golf neighborhood, where beach life and golfing leisure converge.

For a taste of the local life, residents at the Nubian neighborhood get to live in houses similar to those found elsewhere in Egypt, with luxurious interiors as its value-added features.

For those intent on sampling the best that this ideal town has to offer, there’s the Mansions and the White neighborhoods. The former allows residents to design their own abode, as beautiful and lavish as they want it to be. Residents of the White neighborhood get to enjoy all the best amenities possible, with the sea right in their doorstep, the golf course a short walk away, and the majestic mountain views nearby, and all the while staying in their Mediterranean-inspired homes.

Other nearby amenities includes a well-equipped hospital, airport for chartered planes, two extensive marinas housing prize sailboats and yachts, and schools offering primary to college-level education.

In addition to all these, home owners in El Gouna get to enjoy all that a typical tourist enjoys, including access to hotel swimming pools and private beaches, as well as discounts on myriad world-class services that come with the possession of an Owner’s Card.

And if that wasn’t enough, know that this whole resort town was developed with water sports and outdoor recreations in mind. Apart from scuba diving, facilities for kitesurfing, fishing, windsurfing, and snorkeling are also available. Activities like go-kart racing, horseback riding, tennis, desert safaris, and paintball tournaments are also offered.

Credit: Image via Flickr

The Ultimate Holiday Lifestyle in El Gouna

Roger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:16:32 +0000

When it comes to leisure along the Red Sea coast, the resort town of El Gouna comes to mind. Quite unheard of in the past, this town is gaining fast recognition as the ultimate luxury destination.

What’s more, holiday makers now have a chance of living the beach lifestyle the whole year through, with the availability of numerous villas and apartments for sale. What makes living in El Gouna unique is the fact that each homeowner is given their own piece of beach property even they are situated further inland. This is made possible by several canals that allow the water from the Red Sea to come in. This is to make sure that each resident get to enjoy the beach just steps beyond their doorsteps.

One of the first feasts that greet newcomers to El Gouna is of the visual kind. The houses are colored yellow, orange, red, or simply off-white, and are quite pleasing to the eyes, something that developer Orascom Hotels and Development had hoped to achieve since the town’s inception. Those planning to come and live here will have several choices of neighborhoods to choose from, each featuring well thought-of residential structures designed by renowned architects.

One can also select houses according to the desired architectural design. For those wishing to live in an abode predominantly akin to those found in most Egyptian cities, there’s the Nubian neighborhood. Structures harkening to the style of Arabic homes are found in Abu Tig Marina, while Italian-style villas and apartments are constructed on the Hill neighborhood. When one chooses to live in either the Golf or While neighborhoods, he or she also gets to enjoy living in beautiful houses with a world-class golf course just a stone’s throw away.

Indeed, this 18-hole golf course is one of the major attractions of El Gouna, boasting of both lagoon and desert landscape views. Located right on the edge of the Downtown area, this golf course gives credence to the town as a favorite playground of the rich and famous.

Another facility that bespoke of the ultimate holiday lifestyle that the town has been aiming for is its beautiful marina, where sailboats and yachts are moored. These leisure vessels make it possible for residents and visitors to go on pleasure trips to the town’s other playground, the vast Red Sea. The area is known scuba diving and snorkeling destination, with its numerous coral reefs and widely diverse marine life. The beach of El Gouna is ideal for several water-based recreations like water skiing, kite surfing, jet skiing, and swimming.

The resort town also boasts of several luxury hotels, most of which are open to residents who possess an Owner’s Card. This particular card also provides discounts to several dining establishments, as well as access to necessary services like housekeeping and laundry, among others.

In addition to all these amenities and privileges awaiting families who decide to make El Gouna their long-term home, there are also several services specifically designed for children. The town has several nurseries and kids’ clubs that provide appropriate childcare. There are also curriculums available at its international school, while a well-equipped hospital is at the residents’ disposal.

Land-based recreations awaiting the whole family include beach volleyball, biking, go-karts, four-wheel drives into the nearby desert. Pleasures of the urban kind are easily accessed in the town’s several shopping destinations, while its numerous restaurants and cafes offer both international and local dishes.

Credits: Image from Flickr