Truly Love Egypt Sharm ElShiekh September 2015 Issue 16
Ras Mohamed Tiran Island Pharaoh’s Island Mahalabia Extra: Eid AlAdha
PLEASE TURN ON YOUR SOUND
The song that’s playing is Shakka by Khaled Agag
4
EDITOR’S MESSAGE From a small fishing village to “the City of Peace”!
6
Cont
EXTRA: Eid AlAdha: The sacrifice
8
TRULY LOVE NATURE Protected areas and world famous national parks: Ras Mohamed, Tiran Island and Nabq! 8 Sea life!
12 TRULY LOVE DAY ACTIVITIES A long list of activities to enjoy!
18 SCRAPBOOK PAGE 20 TRULY LOVE HISTORY Pharaoh’s Island; a small island with huge significance!
2
12 Day activities
tents
24 TRULY LOVE SHOPPING Whatever comes to mind!
28 TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE Let’s burn the midnight oil!
32
FEATURED WRITER Omar Ibrahim
20 Pharaoh’s Island
34 TRULY LOVE INVESTING A booming town with various opportunities!
36 TRULY LOVE CUISINES Mahalabia; the tasty dessert made with corn flour and mastic!
28 Nightlife!
38
UPCOMING ISSUE
3
TRULY LOVE NIGHTLIFE By Enas Elmohands
A resort area clustered between the hot desert and the beautiful Red Sea, Sharm ElShiekh is one of the most well known tourist destinations in Egypt. It is a hotspot for foreigners and Egyptians alike. Though the beach is bustling by day, by night it is quiet and peaceful with only a few restaurants on the waterfront and a wave-washing soundtrack. For night shoppers, the center of town is lined with shops where you can buy souvenirs, clothes, accessories and unique Euro-Arab fusion furniture.
However, nightlife in Sharm ElShiekh is truly dynamic, with people flocking to its lively bars and restaurants. The tourist hub is Naama Bay, which is where most of the cafes, international restaurants, bars and bazaars are. If you’re a go-drinker, some bars are open afternoon hours so that divers can enjoy a drink or two after a day’s dive. There are nightclubs with live music shows and dancers. Moreover, some restaurants convert to nightclubs after midnight. With plenty of shops, entertainment shows, casinos and outdoor shish bars, Naama Bay lights up at night. Cont.
29
For couples looking to enjoy a romantic evening, there are upscale yacht cruises with candlelit dinner, and if you wish, private shows and live performances as well. Enjoy a wellness package together and visit Egypt’s most famous professional spas or go out with your friends for a night of pampering. If you’re looking for a majestic experience, you can climb the Sinai mountains and visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery. You have the option of a day trip or an overnight trip. I recommend the night excursion—you see the sun rise as the starlit backdrop fades into pale blue skies. Sharm ElShiekh is a lively European experience with an Egyptian mountainous desert backdrop.
During the day, there is an array of activities for lone travelers and families alike, and at night, the shish coals are kept well lit and cups full. If you’re looking for more quiet evenings, look for the restaurants on the waterfront, and hotel spas. If you’re looking for excitement and adventure, Naama Bay is waiting for you. It’s the destination for those looking to let go, throw their worries in the water and bathe in the sweet glory of “akuna matata”.
Note: you will be charged a small fine if want to drink your own store bought alcohol in a restaurant. 31
TRULY LOVE CUISINES By Amal Sarkiss
Mahalabia
Mahalabia is a delicious, nutritious dessert which is famous in Egypt and the Middle East. It is believed to have been first cooked in the kitchen of one of the regional rulers of the Islamic Empire, Yazeed Ben Mahlabi (hence the name), during the 7th century at the time of the Muslim ruler Moawia. A preferred ingredient in Mahalabia is mastic, also known as Arabic gum. Mastic is a resin extracted from the trunk and large branches of the mastic tree, which is well known since ancient times and grows around the Mediterranean basin. Ancient Egyptians used mastic as incense and to embalm the dead. It was also used as a preservative and as a breath freshener. Hippocrates, and later, Avicenna documented the beneficial effects of mastic in curing stomach and digestive problems. Modern science has proved its effectiveness and proposed another important benefit, reducing the chances of colon cancer. During the Middle Ages, in the Ottoman Empire, mastic was worth its weight in gold and was used mainly as chewing gum for stronger, whiter teeth and a fresher breath, especially among the Sultan’s Harem. In modern Egypt, mastic is a common ingredient in the Egyptian kitchen, used in soups, meat dishes, jams, cookies, ice cream and desserts like mahalabia; enriching those dishes with its special exotic scent and flavor. 36
Preparation time
Cooking Time
Serves
5 min
10
4
Ingredients: 2 cups cold milk 1 cup fresh cream 4 tbsp sugar 2½ tbsp corn flour ½ tsp mastic powder
Garnish: Preferred nuts (almonds, pistachios and/or pecans), raisins and/or coconut shredding according to preference. Sprinkle of ground cinnamon (optional)
Directions: In ½ cup of the cold milk, dissolve the corn flour and set aside. Heat the rest of the milk and the fresh cream. Dissolve in the sugar and mastic powder and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add the milk-corn flour mix to the hot sweetened milk slowly while stirring. Cook over low heat till the mixture is thick, like pudding. While it is still hot, pour into serving bowls. Let cool. Garnish with nuts and/or raisins, coconut shredding and ground cinnamon. Place in the fridge until served. Variations:
Fresh cream may be replaced by milk for lower fat/calorie content. Mastic may be replaced by ground cardamom, vanilla and/or rose water. If desired, a mix of nuts and/or raisins may be stirred into the mahalabia mix after it is cooked. Note that if you add raisins, you should reduce the amount of sugar used so the mahalabia is not too sweet. Mahalabia is usually served in single servings, but it may be served in one large bowl. Some prefer to eat mahalabia while it is still hot, especially in winter.
37
Read our issues at our website www.sarkiss.net
Read our issues at our website www.sarkiss.net
Our upcoming October issue
To subscribe, read all our issues or contact us, please visit www.sarkiss.net