THE FINAL LEG

Thursday 30th November
A last overnight stop at Shaker island brought “Fat Annie”, “Casa Tu” and “Intsomi” to Shaker island - within striking distance of the rally destination - Abu Tig marina on the West side of the Red Sea. After a morning snorkelling on the reef at Shaker island, the three boats arrived at Abu Tig in the afternoon, a month of unforgettable memories after leaving Cyprus.

SOUTHBOUND AGAIN

A Red Sea Fishing Tale Doug & Katy – Casa Tu

As usual we have been trailing a line in the hope of catching a Tuna. Last success was in The Adriatic between Italy and Croatia.
Having lost two lures on the hand line it was time to get the rod out once again as there are fish out there taking the lure.

Well we don’t want to catch something we cannot handle so use a small lure and limit the line strength to 50lbs.
Within minutes of setting off from Dahab at 7.00am the line whizzes out and we have a small Bonito style fish on board. Put the line back in and the reel whizzes again but this time as I grab the rod and start to reel the rod bends and strains and the line breaks. It felt like a whopper and was probably too big for us.

Next journey Neweibe to Taba Heights and a 7.30am strike. Let it play and run whilst we slow the boat to a couple of knots to bring a nice size Bonito to the back of the boat. Now what? Net or Gaff or lift on board. The sea is pitching and the sugar scoop transom is often under water. Go for the lift on board with the rod decision. A flip of its tail clear of the sea lets the fish off the hook. The One that got away.

Aqaba in Jordan and consult the Oracle in the Fishing gear shop. Back in business with Calamari lures. Sailing from Dahab to Tiran Island at 9.30am the reel screams. Grab the rod let it play and start reducing sail. Katy busy reefing the poled out Genoa and me busy trying to bring our fish nearer. After half an hour the struggle is over for one very good sized Tuna brought to the rear and Gaffed whilst the waves surge around ankles and calves. Tuna steaks all round for supper in the Tiran reef anchorage.

Tiran to Shaker island the strike is on the rod bends savagely and the lure is gone. Is it time to think about even heavier line? Maybe we can handle the “Whopper” now we have some practice. I have seen yachts fishing with 2.5mm line and a bicycle inner tube as a strike buffer spring!! Don’t think we are ready for some thing that big after Tuna steak, tuna salad, tuna curry, all too reminiscent of the Christmas Turkey. Well it is almost December.

Wednesday 29th November
After a short day, a snorkelling break and overnight stop were taken at Tiran island.



Tuesday 28th November
Taba Heights was left behind, somewhat gladly due to the intransigence of the officials there, and we retraced our steps past Nuweiba and back to Dahab for the night. Intsomi showed off her spinnaker which added a turn of speed but proved easier to put up than to get down (a lesson in humility!?).

St KATHERINE'S MONASTERY

Monday 27th November
A day trip to St Katherine’s monastery near Mount Sinai was quickly arranged and the three crews left at 0715 for a trip South along the coast and then into the hills of the Sinai peninsula. St Katherine’s monastery is an a most desolate spot and is home to 24 monks, one of the oldest churches anywhere, some priceless relics and icons, lots of camels to ride and the “Burning Bush” of Old Testament fame. The "Burning Bush" didn't appear in the least scorched but rather green and succulent!

BACK TO EGYPT - GEZIRET FAROUM (REALLY)

Sunday 25th November
After provisioning in Aqaba markets (and liquor stores) “Intsomi” returned to Taba Heights in Egypt after a truly unforgettable excursion to Jordan. On the way a brief stop was made at the old Crusader Castle on the island of Geziret Faraun, but we were “asked to leave” by the marine police as we had not yet checked back into Egypt.

JORDAN (THE PLACE)

Wednesday 21 November
After two nights at Taba Heights the two crews from “Fat Annie”and “Casa Tu” came aboard “Intsomi” for an excursion to Aqaba in Jordan. After checking in at the Royal Jordanian Yacht club, a visit was quickly arranged to the desert wilderness of Wadi Rum for the following day. The rock outcrops and desolate scenery were quite special and are unique. The night was spent in a Bedouin camp with genuine(?) Bedouin (in)sanitary facilities and was enhanced by plenty of red wine. On Friday the group continued to the abandoned city of Petra. Petra is an archeologic site of huge proportions set in terrain that rivals Wadi Rum for its austerity. The massive stone tombs carved into the native rock two thousand years ago were quite breathtaking.

TABA HEIGHTS

Monday 19th November
Dawn breaking over the arid hills of Saudi Arabia was quite a sight. The Egyptian side of the Gulf of Aqaba is just as stark. After nearly three weeks, “Fat Annie”, “Casa Tu” and “Intsomi” were pleased to be at the marina at Taba Heights.

Sunday 18th November

Another day’s beating with less swell brought us to Nuweiba, our last stop en-route to Taba Heights. Nuweiba is the port used by many pilgrims on their way to Mecca for the Hadj and a very different place from Dahab. We ate chilli aboard “Casa Tu” and turned in early for an 0600 start.

NORTHWARDS TO DAHAB

Saturday 17th November
Refreshed after a calm night “Fat Annie”, “Casa Tu” and “Intsomi” left early for Dahab, previously a "Hippie Hole" on the Sinai side of the Gulf of Aqaba. It was a long slog Northwards against the wind and with a nasty swell. This was soon forgotten as we were well received by a friendly official and welcomed the chance to come ashore for shopping, a beer and an Internet. Dahab is now a big windsurfing and dive centre and was quite busy with rather beautiful young people. That evening, all the crews ate an English meal of roast gammon, new potatoes and parsley sauce aboard “Intsomi” and watched some of the heroic exploits of Russell Crowe in the nautical epic Master and Commander.