So, the reason for the trip is reached…. Now I can join in with the 50-year-olds.

Today we go in convoy from Luxor to El Gouna. At 8 o’clock we start. Mohammed says goodbye and hands us over to two drivers. One of them speaks a little English, the other apparently not at all. Around 10:30 we take a break at a stop. Toilet, smoking and people watching. Shortly after the driver tries to ask me where I actually want to go in Hurghada. After two minutes he understood that it goes to El Gouna to the Arena Inn. I thought that everything had been clarified…

El Gouna

Arrival in El Gouna. The driver does not know his way around at all. No wonder, everything looks completely the same here. After making a phone call, he picks up someone else who seems to know where the Arena Inn Hotel is.

Arrival at the Arena Inn. At the reception there are the room keys and an all-inclusive band (have booked only half-board, say this, but still we should keep the band). Well, lunch was canceled today anyway, then we get at least something here. Internet is also available (I can finally continue writing my BLOG later).

A porter takes us to room 348, third floor, no elevator. Well, I don’t need to carry the things…

The room is a disaster. Small, somewhat rustic and somehow rancid, bacon-y and unfriendly. The wet room (bathroom would be a bit exaggerated) is in no way inferior to this. Maybe it’s because of hunger, so first to the restaurant.

A cook prepares spaghetti directly. I would like a portion. Hmh, all-inclusive ribbons seem to challenge him to slam the plate full to the top. After I was able to keep him from putting the spaghetti on an already used plate, I now have to use my hands to throw the overhanging spaghetti back onto the plate. Perhaps he overlooked the fact that I have two healthy legs and can – if the hunger should be so great – get a second helping. In the restaurant either German or Russian is spoken. After the many television reports about Russian all-inclusive vacationers, I had expressly rejected exactly this when booking.

On the way back to the room still briefly asked for the Internet. This should be paid in cash, it would not go over the hotel bill. I do not know such a thing. The swelling on the neck does not go back…

Back in the room, its condition has not changed yet, despite filled stomach. I call the travel agency. They are trying very hard to get the (from my point of view) catastrophe under control. I would like to start the return journey today before I spend even one night here. Even an overnight stay at the airport or a third-class train ride to the airport in Cairo seems more appealing to me than this. Return flight rebooking not possible. A new room is sought. Both Stern-Tours and New-Vision are very helpful and I get a room at the Steigenberger. Around 6 o’clock the driver should come. He comes around 18:45 and drives the short way to the new hotel. Great suite. Thanks for the crisis management.