Dabuka Travel Magazine - ISSUE #4

Dabuka Travel Visions MAGAZINE Issue IV February 2024-

Travel Visions Spotlights 4 of the Best

Hidden Gems Hiking outside of Cairo Oman - Empty Quarter

April 2024

TRAVEL WITH DABUKA DEAR TRAVEL COMPANIONS,

T

he year 2024 is still young and promising with all its possibilities.

What destinations are on your bucket list? We have a few ideas…

Wherever the wind will blow you, for us travel also has a lot to do with the topic of friendship.

Travelers are temporary friends – sometimes forever.

Haven’t you already experienced finding likeminded people on many levels within a travel group, all the more closely connected because of the many shared experiences within a limited time?

At the end, addresses and pictures are shared and everyone flies back to their own everyday lifes. But sometimes connections remain intact and perhaps even further trips together follow.

If the term friendship is not only applied to vacation trips, connections also arise from many other visits to different countries and cultures.

Tarek once graduated from a so-called German school abroad in Cairo – exactly the same school where I currently work as a teacher.

Friendship and transience also play a big role here. Students and colleagues come, spend intensive times together and then part again at some point.

Nice to see – and perhaps also a bit related to the Egyptian character? – Tarek and his former schoolmates are still in close contact today. Some of them are scattered all over the world, but they always create opportunities for a reunion in which present and past are joyfully linked.

And former colleagues very often come back at least once to visit because they drank “Nile Water”.

Our travel ideas offer exactly this connection. We take you on the trail of history into the colorful, wide world; give the opportunity to make friends with people and landscapes and at least guarantee memories that cannot be lost.

We would be happy to take you along and accompany you part of the way.

We’ll see you at one end of the world or the other.

With best travel greetings.

Dorothee Rieche - Tarek El Mahdy

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION Travel with Dabuka

2

Table of Contents

3

Follow - Share - Win

4

Customer Testimonials

5-6

II. NEWS Lifestyle News Stories beside the Mainstream (part III) Outstanding Destinations

7 8-9 10-11

III. TRAVEL VISIONS Hidden Gems: Nature Hike Challenge

12

Fishing in Angler’s Paradise

13

IV. SPOTLIGHTS Rosetta and the Miracles of communication

14

Great Rulers of their time

15

On the back of a “desert ship”

16

Gods, Graves and Fossils

17

V. FOUR OF THE BEST “Dabuka Blue” – A journey with heart and mind

18

Grand Oases Tour

19

Omani Coffee – exceptional in taste

20

Underwater World

21

Dabuka Internal

23

By Chance: Explorers and Adventurers

24

3

Become a winner

FOLLOW LIKE AND SHARE

Our winner in this issue is Andreas We love our customers sharing their travel photos and memories with us. Use #DabukaTravelVisions when posting your photos on social media and you could appear on this page and be in the running to win a $ 100 gift voucher!

Klostermaier, Munich, Germany For all existing Dabuka clients please join our EXCLUSIVE Facebook group “Dabuka insiders."

The winners' photos will also have the chance to be featured in our next issue.

Closing Date: 15/04/2024

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CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS We love to hear about your amazing experiences with us and all your wonderful feedback is most welcome!

GO DEEP SOUTH - BY ALESSANDRO FROM PAVIA, ITALY To the southern end of Egypt In November, with a close-knit group of Italian friends, all desert enthusiasts, I embarked on a tailor-made tour of Egypt’s eastern desert. Dabuka, the tour operator in the person of Tarek el-Mahdy, was an old acquaintance of mine, having been fortunate enough to live in Cairo for a few years. The tour was inspired to the “Go Deep South” program regularly offered by the agency. There was a premise to this choice; compared to other deserts in the whole world, the Eastern Desert stands out as a very particular region, a treasure chest of natural beauty and archaeological sites, ranging from Prehistory to Roman times. In particular, the southern sector, also known as Etbai in the accounts of 19th century explorers, a land of mystery and fascination, was a corner of Egypt still missing in our experience of the country.

That said, having a group of good old friends was just one ingredient for a successful adventure tour. The other ingredients were added personally by Tarek who accompanied and assisted us throughout the tour. He added first of all his profound knowledge of the places, then the competence of his staff in driving

off-road, setting up bivouacs and cooking healthy and tasty meals. Last but not least Tarek and his staff demonstrated their kindness and professionalism in every situation. Thus, after having travelled 1200 km of desert tracks in the maze of winding valleys, dotted with acacias and shaded by the region’s sheer peaks, we achieved this special state of mind, this feeling of well-being that only a prolonged stay in the wilderness of the desert can guarantee.

This grace was the real reason for our return to this wonderful land. I highly recommend Dabuka as a tour operator and Tarek as a friend if you want a safe escort through some of the most beautiful desert sceneries Egypt can offer.

HIGHLIGHT OF EGYPT - BY TANJA FROM AUSTRIA To the southern end of Egypt The Nile cruise was of course high on the agenda for some of us, but I think with this additional information and an alternative offer we might have decided differently. Of course, having your own boat makes planning easier and you can then specifically avoid these “traffic jams”.

As I said, we really enjoyed the travel destinations and the tours and we definitely learned a lot about Egyptian culture.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays,

5

EGYPT ME-TIME BY ANDREAS FROM MUNICH, GERMANY. CLASSIC EGYPTIAN TOUR

TAILOR MADE EGYPTIAN TRIP BY DIRK BERLIN, GERMANY, CROSS COUNTRY - EGYPT

I would like to thank you again very much for the great organization of this trip! The extended desert tour was an absolute highlight and I can't thank you enough for your commitment to making the pyramid flight possible for me!

Landed in Aswan at midnight. The

Looking back, the hardest part of the trip was getting out of Germany in the snow.

me solo to the ferry port to Beyah, the

plane

with

friends

from

Germany

couldn't take off on time in Munich because of the snow chaos, but the Dabuka employee was there at the airport as a matter of course and took beautiful island with our hotel for the first few days. The wonderful and

Once we landed in Egypt everything went like clockwork. Your drivers and vehicles are simply great - you probably couldn't travel Egypt more comfortably and safely on your own.

For Martina it was the African premiere and she was completely thrilled and I haven't really found my way back into everyday German work life more than a week after the trip...

Now I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope we see each other again in Cairo!

perfectly planned travel days began with the night boat tour under the Orion constellation, during which we were to visit 20 (!) archaeological sites on the way to Luxor.

But a list doesn't convey the magic of this

wonderful

journey.

The

most

important thing was the people. At first, our

driver

Muhammed,

who

coordinated all appointments with the

precision of a Swiss wristwatch and always found the optimal solution to make every day unforgettable. The most authentic street coffee in Aswan, the tastiest food in Abu Simbel, the most charming stop on the route.

During the whole tour you felt like you can call it a tailormade dream, in the spirit of the tour operator Dabuka. Of course, all of the goals were able to fully unfold their magic.

Unforgettable the wonderful light in Aswan, the view from the hotel's roof terrace when the hot air balloons taking off at Luxor, the delicious local breakfast and of course the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, KomOmbo, etc.

There was always a cherry on the pie, like the departure of the “Sudan”, the cruise ship from Agatha Christie's novel “Death on the Nile”, or the sunset at exactly the right time, at high tea in the Old Cataract Hotel. This journey will remain unforgettable in its intensity. You never felt like one of the many mass tourists who of course also visited the many world heritage sites, but always felt a little more exclusive, more insider-like. And the trip came to an end all too quickly with a stylish dinner in a small and very exclusive boutique hotel in Maadi and remains unforgettable in our hearts.

6

LIFESTYLE NEWS

By Anita Adhia

T

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

urquoise, the fascinating seagreen stone of the classical era, speaks for wisdom, protection, good fortune, tranquility, and hope. Ancient people believed in its intense power to protect, its peaceful energy and connection with

enduring love. Turquoise was popular thousands of years ago, during the time of the Egyptians. It has been believed that it brings good energy or boosts energy to its bearer. Due to its beauty and attractiveness, it’s no longer surprising that the gem market has made imitations or riff offs that have highly affected its market.

Turquoise Meaning The green to blue color stone or ocean like stone has been used mainly for its cool and refreshing quality, which establishes a mood and helps to control anxiety or prevent panic attacks. This stone has a lot of healing attributes, mostly helps with removing negative energy and brings a positive sense of feeling.

The ancient Egyptians revered turquoise to such an extent that the stone was bestowed with a goddess status by the name of Hathor. As the Lady of Turquoise, Hathor was Ra’s daughter.

Its many uses and long history of veneration as a sacred mineral span thousands of years across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Mostly for the sake of safety. Wearing turquoise was a way for ancient Egyptians to show off their individuality. Frequently utilized for both defense and transportation in prehistoric Egypt.

Afghanistan has a long history of people who revere turquoise as a lucky charm.

Many mystical associations have been shaped by this tranquil stone, which is as blue as a summer sky or a robin’s egg.

The beautiful blue stone held great significance for the early Native American cultures. As a conduit between the celestial and terrestrial realms, the stone was associated with the deity of the sky, and shamans placed their faith in it.

Turquoise Healing Properties The physical benefits extend to our immune systems, which are better able to ward off viruses and other infectious diseases, thanks to the vigor and strength that turquoise, a potent stone, imparts. Those fortunate enough to own or wear turquoise crystal report feeling more at ease and at home in its presence, among its many other benefits. It is believed to cure old wounds, bring good fortune, and generally increase one’s life-affirming fortune.

Turquoise has long been revered for its ability to shield riders from harm in the event of a fall or accident. The original users of this were Turkish soldiers who wore it as a

protective charm to keep in touch with their families back home.

Subsequently, it served as a safeguard against falls. The wearer’s health is believed to have an effect on turquoise as well. How someone chooses to live with it determines its color. If the owner is sad or feeling uneasy, this crystal will turn pale. When its owner passes away, it will lose its color until it is owned by someone in good health again.

According to color psychology, this blue-forming crystal regulates, soothes, balances, and stabilizes emotions. If you’re looking for something soothing to hold or look at, try a combination of blue and green.

Luck, vitality, insight, imagination, patience, loyalty, wisdom, calm, companionship, happiness, and love are all words that come to mind when one thinks of it.

info@thearabianstories.com

Turquoise – Communication, Balance and Calmness

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Stories beside the main stream My way from Germany to Tunisia – Libya – Egypt – (Part III) After some adventures with my Toyota Landcruiser on my way from Germany to Egypt – a trip which I did alone just to fulfill a dream - finally I entered Libya.

After some drama with customs and money exchange, the first Libyan I ever met - Abdel Razek - gave me some useful advice how to proceed concerning money exchange and black market issues.

I was supposed to follow the main road until a friend was waiting at a bridge to exchange some of my money for Libyan dinars.

However – there were 3 car colors and models in the description as a possible identification mark, as this friend had 3 different vehicles and one couldn’t be sure which one he was driving.

So – let’s wait and see!

more disciplined, than anywhere else in the world I had seen so far.

No one insisted on his right and hardly anyone was blowing his horn.

After a while I arrived at the bridge, the secret meeting point with a stranger. I stopped the car and waited for what happened next. It seemed certain to me that this must have been an extremely illegal operation – changing money on the black market in a country like Libya…

I waited and waited – but in vain. Finally I decided to move on. I looked for the Tripoli bypass – but finding it without In addition, I was advised to avoid entering Tripoli at all costs,

road

as all road signs had been defaced for security reasons

questions, I finally met a Libyan guy who wanted to show me

signs

was

pretty

hopeless.

After

many

fruitless

(because the US was waging an internal war against Libya).

the way if I took him a little with me.

I should go around Tripoli and stay on the coastal road to

Said and done.

Egypt. Abdek Razek gave me his phone number and the assurance that he was always available and ready to help me.

When he got out, he gave me a vague direction – but in the

And on my way back I absolutely had to be his guest for at

end it was of little use to me. I got tangled up in a tangle of

least three days.

highways and overpasses and completely lost my bearings.

Armed with all those good wishes, I was alone in Libya for the first time.

In retrospect, such things are easy to tell – my tension

The roads in Libya were quite good. Everyone was driving like

increased considerably at the time. I tried to orientate myself

mad, it seemed there were no speed limits, no radar traps.

on the cardinal points, but I kept having to turn around and

Everyone could drive as fast as he wanted. But nevertheless,

start again. I literally saw my precious gas wasted for

I realized very soon that the Libyans driving style was much

nothing.

8

This brought me back to my original problem: How was I supposed to fill up if I still didn’t have any Libyan dinars??

Ultimately, I had no choice but to ask the first person I met along the route to do a swap. And – oh wonder – the notes changed hands so quickly that in retrospect I thought I definitely didn’t get a good rate – but no matter – I had Libyan money and no one prosecuted me for it. Sometimes joy can be so simple.

Unfortunately, my odyssey in the right direction was still not over. It took me another 3 hours and over 100 km until I was finally heading east, as I wanted.

I left Tripoli behind me to the west, the traffic was less, but the controls increased. Most of the time, Libyans just wanted to satisfy their curiosity, as they were simply interested in strangers and enjoyed chatting.

Of course, there wasn’t a gas station anywhere.

But finally – after about 200 km of driving on the slopes – I came to an isolated house, which – as it turned out – was run as a restaurant by a Sudanese man. My car got gas in a canister, I got a meal and a roof over my head for one night.

My spirits quickly awakened, luck goes with the travelers and I was ready for more adventures.

Besides, I was really on the move. I managed around 1000 km

Now I was prepared for the next 200 km to Tobruk.

a day with short food and fuel breaks.

Apart from the direction east, I used a map of Libya from 1984.

At the town of Agedabia, the map pointed me to a road that was under construction 12 years ago, but was in any case much shorter than the coastal road through Benghasi and Cyrenaica.

Since my Libyan money was running low again and trucks were turning onto this road, I decided to take the shortcut too.

However, after about 30 km it ended in a large construction site. With the power of my off-road vehicle, I still seemed to be prepared, even for an “off-road ride”.

Apparently it had rained here for a long time before. There were puddles and in the channels of the red sand, slowly but surely my powerful off-road vehicle seemed to be in trouble.

Read what happened next in our up-coming issue.

9

OUTSTANDING DESTINATIONS

Selected Destinations Around The Globe We would like to introduce to you The Western Desert.

Part 2: Eocine Plateau - Darb El Dakhla Before we can talk about our todays subject; we have to

to choose the safest route, even if it was not always the

clarify some Arabic names and terms.

shortest.

Of course, security also meant water on the way – in any

Darb means in Arabic “camel track”, so Darb Dakhla just

case, the Kehbir tried to keep the route secret for as long

means camel track to Dakhla.

as possible, while at the same time the bandits had their informants everywhere to scout out the route.

But you have to know that there were many camel trails to Dakhla back then and it wasn’t left to chance which one

The Darb el Dakhla we are talking about was the shortest

you took. Camel caravans carried valuable trade goods,

route between the oasis of Farafra and Qasr Dakhla.

which the omnipresent bandits and smugglers also knew about. The leader of a caravan, the so-called Kebbir, tried

For this reason the German Explorer Rohlfs chose this

10

route when he travelled to Dakhla from Farafra in 1874. He had over 100 men with rifles, therefore he was relatively safe from bandits.

Luck was with him and he actually reached Dakhla unscathed.

Since it was also a scenic route, Rohlfs gave some places a name: Bab el Gasmund and Bab el Cailliaud, which are still familiar to desert travelers today.

{Reading advice– “Three months through the Libyan Desert 1873-1874” – Autor: Gerhard Rohlfs} Fortunately, nowadays you are no longer attacked by bandits,

but

you

can

still

find

the

charming

dune

landscape, along the foothills of which you can drive along in “motorized camels”.

Along the way you will find further historical traces, such as a former British aircraft landing strip during the Second World War.

The so-called “Black Valley”, which is on the way, is also scenically varied and looks really “black”. But to reach it you have to have crossed safely the labyrinth.

So even if the reasons and circumstances for navigating the Darb have changed, the beauty of the desert remains, with all its challenges.

This Darb also leads through the so-called “Marble Labyrinth”, which doesn’t have it’s name for nothing: On the one hand you seem to cross marble hills, on the other hand you can quickly lose direction and have a hard time finding your way out of the labyrinth.

11

TRAVEL VISIONS

Series: Hidden Gems Nature Hike Challenge The experience of hiking is unique, research

After all, if you are giving all of

suggests, conveying benefits beyond what you receive from typical exercise. Not only does it

your attention to keeping a good

oxygenate your heart, it helps keep your mind sharper, your body calmer, your creativity more alive, and your relationships happier.

about what happened a week

This type of exercise decreases bad cholesterol blood levels, while increasing good ones, says Steven Reisman, MD, a cardiologist and director of the New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center.

"Exercise can also improve blood circulation, reduce or prevent high blood pressure, improve heart function and decrease the risk of developing diabetes," he continues.

Dr. Reisman also says, hiking offers different perks than traditional exercise, since it reduces stress, while improving our mood. With all of these perks combined, he says our risk of an acute heart attack is significantly less.

pace, you have little time to worry ago, or the big meeting you have coming. As many people struggle with letting go and living life, being immersed in nature can instantly calm us as we tune in to what's around us.

One of the most famous hikers of all time - Grandma Gatewood Emma Gatewood was the first woman

to

solo

hike

the

Appalachian Trail in its entirety.

She did this in the 1950s and was 67

when

she

completed

the

accomplishment. She started the trail saying she was just going on a walk and wore simple sneakers

Hiking means also admiring the world around you. Whether it's flat terrain or a hilly stretch, hiking helps us to stay centered and focused in real time, says Chris Fagan, author and adventurer.

carrying

a

small

pack.

Determination got her through it

though, and she got many features in the press for completing it. Emma continued hiking in her life including two more Appalachian trips and the entirety of the Oregon Trail.

What are you waiting for?

Let’s walk through the Gallala Mountains – a bit better prepared than Grandma Gatewood!

We are heading out from Cairo to the Eastern Desert base camp, a distance of about 140 km is to be driven before we reach the base camp.

After arrival we will have a quick snack and refreshment, then we take our back pack, good shoes and “good mood” and start our hike through an unvisited valley.

We will be accompanied by our local Bedouin Guide and expert of the area.

You will learn about vegetation and wildlife in the area (difficulty level low to medium).

Enjoy all the benefits from hiking plus star gazing at night, good food and a very special landcape.

Booking details Contact: : 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

Nature Hike Duration:

2 days

Price:

110$ /pp

To bring: Good shoes, small back pack, sun protection (torches, a light sweater, your sleeping bag for 2-day-trip)

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Fishing in angler’s paradise Adventure at Lake Nasser Apart from the pyramids, the land of the pharaos also has a lot to offer to anglers.

Fishing on Lake Nasser, one of the largest reservoirs in the world, fed by the Nile, is overwhelming and absurd at the same time.

Professionals among you know what fighting a fish can mean. It’s incredible fascinating when you’re walking along the shore and suddenly you see a huge dark shadow moving through its path. In a moment, no longer than the blink of an eye, the fish can bite and start fighting.

So if you just want to dedicate yourself to the experience, we’ll organize the rest.

Adventure, unforgettable impressions and a few more ticks on life’s fish bucket list are guaranteed.

“Anglers were created because children need real heroes!”

Everything seems oversized - the size of the lake, which is more like a sea, and the variety and size of different fish. The lake extends from Sudan far into Eygpt, where it is damned near Aswan. At its widest point it reaches 35 km.

Lake Nasser has an enormous fish biomass. Anyone who holds a 20 kg Nile perch in their hands for the first time, will inevitably be amazed by this impressive creature.

But sometimes it’s not just about the biggest fish. Exploring the banks and game fishing are also fascinating, because you are even closer to nature.

Contact: : 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

13

SPOTLIGHTS

Rosetta and the miracles of communication The co-existence of all living beings is essentially based on successful communication. Every language is a structured system of communication that consists of grammar and vocabulary – as everyone knows who ever tried to learn a foreign language.

Ever wondered what the most widely spoken languages are in the world?

Although there are currently more than 7,000 languages, more than half of the world's population speak 23 of them only.

After English, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, French, Modern Standard Arabic is in 7th place with 274 million speakers.

So, how does MSA have so many nonnative speakers? That’s because MSA is commonly used in newspapers, TV broadcasts, and movies, but people don’t speak it with each other. It’s an academic language that you’ll find in literature in politics, but not in everyday life. As such, if you’re interested in learning Arabic, you’re better off starting with one dialect and then learning MSA to widen your horizons.

Source: Berlitz, 2023

But did you know that Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the only language on this list without native speakers? Indeed, Arabic is a large language with many different dialects, and all Arabic speakers grow up speaking a local dialect, like Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic, Mesopotamian Arabic or another local variety.

Go North Rosetta Duration::

1 day

Price:

100 $/pp

Contact:

service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com +20 101 506 9061

As with so many things, also concerning communication there are traces leading into the history of Egypt.

In 1799, the famous “Rosetta Stone” was discovered in the little town called “Rosetta” known also as “Rashid” – a granite stele with texts incised in three languages, which made a major contribution to deciphering the hieroglyphs, a script made up of small pictures that was used originally in ancient Egypt for religious texts.

Rosetta – a port city of the Nile Delta, 65 km east of Alexandria - is considered as a large open-air museum for Islamic architecture.

The great number of Islamic monuments found here does not exist in any other city, except for Cairo.

The Rosetta Stone, a symbol for different things to different people, is a dark-colored granodiorite stela inscribed with the same text in three scripts – Demotic, hieroglyphic and Greek. In July 1799, the stone was found in the city of Rosetta (modern el Rashid) by French soldiers during Napoleon's invasion of Egypt.

Since soldiers in Napoleon’s army discovered the Rosetta Stone in 1799 while digging the foundations of an addition to a fort near the town of el-Rashid (Rosetta). On Napoleon’s defeat, the stone became the property of the British under the terms of the Treaty of Alexandria (1801) along with other antiquities that the French had found.

14

Great rulers of their time We find again and again that large parts

Muhammad Ali modernized education,

of the present can be explained in terms

ordering the translation of European

of the past. Outstanding national leaders

books on a large scale, vaccinated

play a major role in this.

children against smallpox and offered them medical care, conducted censuses,

Muhammad Ali Pasha was the Albanian

and undertook huge public work projects

Ottoman governor and de facto ruler of

that

Egypt from 1805 to 1848, considered the

Egyptian cash crop, which it remains

founder of modern Egypt. He was born

today.

established

cotton

as

a

key

in 1769 in Kavala, now part of Greece.

During

the

1840s

Muhammad

Ali

At the height of his rule, he controlled all

consolidated many of his innovations

of Egypt, Sudan, Hejaz and the Levant.

before beginning to show signs of age-

If you bring a torch and good mood, we

He

related cognitive deterioration. He was

will

Napoleonic wars and was part of an

removed

in

Muhamad Ali around the Citadel. The

Albanian Ottoman force sent to recover

Alexandria on August 2, 1849, and was

green lung of the area, the so-called El

Egypt from a French occupation under

buried in the magnificent Muhammad Ali

Azhar Park ends the Mystery Tour in a

Napoleon. After Napoleon's withdrawal

mosque

peaceful atmosphere.

from Egypt, he quickly rose through the

remains a Cairo landmark today.

started

his

early

career

in

the

as

wali

close

to

in

the

1848,

died

citadel,

that

show

you

some

mysteries

of

ranks eventually becoming Wali and earning the title of Pasha.

Mysteries of Mohamed Ali

The reforms undertaken by Muhammad Ali as he centralized his power brought

Duration:

1 Day

Price:

66 $/p.p.

the foundations of modern statehood to Egypt.

He put in place a vast military and economic apparatus financed by efficient tax collections, and his armies of drafted conscripts

vanquished

permanently

replaced

and

then

Contact: service@dabuka.de

feuding

www.dabuka.com

warlord groups that had ruled much of

+20 101 506 9061

the

the Middle East.

15

On the back of a “desert ship” In all cultures, sporting competition is an important opportunity for peaceful testing of strength. In the Arab World people compete in camel races, among other things.

Camel racing dates back to the pre-Islamic era, when tribes organized the races to show off the strong camels they owned. The races continued during the subsequent Islamic era, promoting the practicing of equestrian sports and bravery.

In Egypt they take place also near Cairo and it is a special experience to take part in it at least as a spectator.

Salama Abu El-Nada Tarabin, Head of the Competitions Committee of the Egyptian Camel Federation, indicated that camels from all the desert governorates of Egypt attended the race, and the races are launched according to the age of each camel and are completed by the motorized rider and a traditional race by the human rider.

Many camels are specially raised for racing. They train on treadmills and in swimming pools.

Generally, camels begin their racing career at two or three years of age and race until they are eight or nine. A mature racing camel can reach speeds of 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour.

Camel racing is a fundamental part of the nomadic lifestyle and a source of inspiration in poetry and singing. Its importance and continuity in Bedouin society is connected to the prominent role camels play in the desert environment.

The word “camel” actually comes from an Arabic word. When literally translated, it means “beauty”.

A Dromedary camel named Arnoun was reportedly sold at an auction in Kuwait in 2019 for 200 million Saudi Riyals, which is about 53 million dollars.

The Desert Camel By Martha Lavinia Hoffman “Trackless and bare are the sands of the desert No verdure adorns them, no green tree is there; Parched by the winds and the hot, scorching sun rays, Strewn with white bones lying bleaching and bare, Like a vast ocean of rolling sand surges Beaten and driven like waves on the deep, Changing and shifting in wildest confusion In the hot wind-storms that over them sweep.

Patiently, slowly, across the vast ocean Plod the strong camels, so faithful and true; Ships of the desert, with merchandise laden, Gladly for them comes the harbor in view.

Onward they toil on their long, weary voyage, While never a blade of grass blesses their sight; Cheered through the day by the songs of the Arabs, Resting upon the bare sand-waves by night. “

If you are interested and flexible register here, we could combine it with a hike in the Eastern Desert.

Unfortunately for this year will be on a very short notice - Before 11.03

Contact: : 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

16

Gods, Graves and Fossils Often overlooked is the north side of Lake Qaroun/Fayoum with its beautiful mountain formations. But the whole area is filled with the evidence of substantial ancient occupation. It is one of the few places in the world where a nearly pristine archaeological landscape can be studied. Not only is it archaeologically important, but it is rich in fossils of extinct animals and contains a petrified forest.

Dimeh al-Siba – possibly meaning: Dimeh of the lions - was a Ptolemaic city believed to be founded by Ptolemy II in the third century BC on a site that shows evidence of habitation from the Neolithic period. In Ptolemaic times it was located at the edge of the bay of Lake Qaroun and the beginning of the caravan routes to the Western Desert.

The Gebel Qatrani Open Air Museum is At times when the lake was much larger and located inside the Petrified Forest area. It the forests were growing around it, the was built early 2018 and it is showcasing marshy shore lines of the lake were teeming fossils of both marine (started in Eocene with crocodiles. The crocodile God Sobek with the fossil ancestors of whales) and was considered the protector of Al Fayoum. continental (with the fossil ancestors of In fact the town Arsinoe was known to the monkeys and elephants) and several other Greeks as Crocodiliopolis. The incomplete terrestrial and marshland mammals. temple of Sobek Qasr el-Sagha, situated Some of this places may invite to thought to be dedicated to Sobek. meditate.

Meditation is something everyone can do, here's how: Trip Name: Historic Trail

1) Take a seat. Find place to sit that

Contact: 0101 506 9061 Email:service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

feels calm and quiet to you.

Duration:

1 Day

2) Set a time limit. ...

Price:

From 123 $ pp

3) Notice your body. ...

4) Feel your breath. ...

5) Notice when your mind has wandered.

6) Be kind to your wandering mind. ...

7) Close with kindness. ...

That's it!

17

FOUR OF THE BEST “Dabuka Blue” – A journey with heart and mind Our Luxury Safari Boat is still work in progress – but it will happen.

Why can a boat tour make you happy?

Contact: : 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

A boat is freedom, not a means of transportation only.

The boat is a harmoniously beautiful world in itself.

One of the most beautiful places in the world is the friction surface between wind and water and the only way to explore it is by boat.

Depending on the wind, waves, current, time of day and cloud cover, it is different every time. Moving around in it with the humming rigging and splashing or rushing bow wave is endless fun.

And if you now imagine that you are not taking just any boat tour, but exactly this one on Lake Nasser, success is doubly guaranteed.

The shoreline of Lake Nasser has some of the country's most diverse and dramatic desert landscapes. It is abundant in wildlife, too.

Many species have settled along the shores of Lake Nasser, and it is an important staging point for migrating birds during the overwintering period. The waters of Lake Nasser are also the only place in Egypt where one can still see the infamous Nile crocodiles.

On the way, you explore the scattered and lesser-known Nubian temples, including Kalabsha, Wadi es-Sebua, Amada, and Qasr Ibrim. Some of them are located in splendid isolation in the middle of the Sahara desert.

The slow approach by ship to Abu Simbel is nothing less than spectacular. As you come closer, the temples are slowly revealing themselves to you in all their imposing beauty.

Let’s start:

Route : Cairo - Aswan - Lake Nasser (boat) - Abu Simbel - Aswan (Haissa Island) - Cairo.

Tour name: Dabuka Blue Duration: 10 days Price: on request Welcome to our world!

18

Grand Oases Tour There are some areas in this world that sunset under palm trees in a private outstanding but little-known antiquities, speak their own language. They are so garden or visit the old English house paired with its distinctive geological and impressive that you have to see and called Williams house. Of course, visiting environmental experience them to understand.

this oasis also brings with it the wonders unique

Sometimes it’s like a window to the world of the Black and White Desert.

preserved

see what’s behind it.

with

wild

herbs

of

produce cultural

a and

natural heritage to be acknowledged,

– it’s not always open, but if that’s the case, then you should take the chance to Healing

features,

combination and

transmitted

to

future

Farafra. generations, for learning and enjoyment.

in

Farafra Oasis is a small oasis in the Western

Desert,

170

km

south

of Oases get their name from the fact that

Here the journey alone is the goal. All Bahareya. It is spread with a wonderful they are resting places in the desert. you have to do in the morning is get into collection of wild plants and herbs that One of the most impressive deserts in one of our off-road vehicles and drive can be used in healing, including: towards the horizon. Depending on the

Egypt is certainly the Great Sand Sea. It

-Ashar, Hibiscus, Mint, and Damsasa: stretches about 650 km (400 mi) from

time of the day, light and shadow paint All of them are used to treat rheumatism, north to south and 300 km (190 mi) from special pictures along the way and a in

addition

to

the

uses

of

mint

in east to west.

great feeling of freedom makes you diseases of the digestive system and A sea of sand who’s dunes invite you to curious about what may come.

colic of all kinds.

take a “bath” in it, which can also be compared to the feeling of flying. A trip

Siwa Oasis is rich in craft traditions like El-Dakhla Oasis in the Western Desert, into the weightlessness of sand dune pottery, baskets and jewelry. They use which is around 200km away from El- driving gives you a tingling feeling of five main colours in their crafts: red, Kharga, is widely regarded as the most happiness in your stomach. green, orange, yellow and black, which beautiful of the oases in that part of symbolise the fruit of the date tree at Egypt. El-Qasr is the main attraction in different stages of maturity. "Siwa is a Dakhla Oasis. The medieval mud-brick Utopia –nearly, which has a very special houses and the twisting and turning way of life. We don’t have a court. The alleyways are some of the features that tribal rules govern us. Social support in distinguish the village. The village was weddings and funerals is another rule built in the 12th century during the that governs us. Perhaps the union feast Ayyubid period on the remains of an is the best example for that," relayed earlier Roman settlement in order to Omran Jeery, a tour guide. And don’t serve as the capital of the El-Dakhla forget to taste the olive jam!

Oasis district. It is one of the few villages that still exist from that era.

Bahareya Oasis is the closest oasis to

Come and feel yourself!

Cairo, famous also for its hot wells where

The importance of the Kharga Oasis

Booking details

you could overcome rheumatism. Enjoy

resides in the variety of its features: its

Grand Oases Tour

Route: Cairo - El Alamein – Siwa – Great Sand Sea – Bahareya – Black Desert – White Desert – Farafra – Dakhla – Kharga – Um Dabadib – Labaka – Bagawat – Cairo (alternatively: Luxor). Accommodation in

12 days / 11 nights From $1430 USD

traditional hotels.

Contact: : 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

19

Omani coffee – exceptional in taste Centuries old coffee tradition

Oman Empty Quarter – Pioneer route

Omani sultans and European traders bought their coffee from the Yemeni port of Mocha in the early modern period.

Even though coffee is now grown in Oman near Wadi Samail, coffee is preferably imported from Sri Lanka.

As in many other Arab countries, drinking coffee is a gesture of hospitality. Traditional Arabic coffee, also called Bedouin coffee, is usually very strong and equally sweet.

Omani coffee, also known as Qahwa, is a symbol of hospitality and generosity.

Traditionally, the coffee beans are roasted over an open fire until they turn dark brown, giving the coffee a distinct aroma and taste. The coffee is then ground into a fine powder, and boiled in a pot known as a dallah. Once the coffee is brewed, it is poured into small cups known as finjan, and served alongside dates and sweets. It is customary for the host to continue to pour coffee until the guest shakes the cup, indicating that they have had enough.

Before drinking, put a sweet date in your mouth and then drink the coffee. It is important to take the date out of the shell with your right hand.

The coffee can also be served combined with saffron, cardamom and rose water.

The Empty Quarter Expedition route is designed to lead directly into the Empty Quarter, crossing the whole length of the great dunes from Muscat to Salalah. It’s suitable for experienced desert travelers.

We will explore two different sites. The first area is characterized by orange dunes, which in turn produce baby dunes. The second area in the south west has a great dune formation similar to mountains!

What about to drink your coffee in the desert?

Muscat

Oman - The Empty Quarter Expedition Duration: 15 days/ 14 nights Price:

From 3800$

Highlights: - Pioneer route planned to reach some areas for the first time, - 6 nights camping in the Empty Quarter, - crossing the Empty Quarter from Muscat to Salalah, - crossing Wahiba Sands.

Route: Muscat – Hamra EL Duru – Um As Samim – Exploration Area 1 – Qurun Al Fiddah – Ramlat As Sahma –Muqshun – Marsawdad – Ramlat Masah – Exploration Area 2 - Ramlat Fasad – Al Hishman – Thumrayt –Wadi Dawkah – Salalah – East Coast - AL Khalouf – Wahiba Sands –

Contact: 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

Oman is the Official host country for ITB Berlin 2024

20

Underwater world Anyone who has at least ever snorkeled knows, how fascinating the colorful underwater world can be. And divers find their paradise here.

Do you know the movie “Finding Nemo”?

And if you’re now wondering why we’re pointing out a youth film, then maybe take a look yourself. We think the film not only shows the colorful underwater world in a funny way, but also has a lot of interpersonal wisdom.

It's hard to believe it's twenty years since Pixar launched the computer-animated adventure of clownfish Nemo, his dad Marlin and the forgetful Blue Regal tang Dory.

We stand for new perspectives and would be happy to take you to Egyptian diving paradises.

Click HERE for a video impression.

Nemo is a curious and impressionable six-year-old, only child who lives with his over-protective, single-parent father, Marlin. Having led a sheltered life, Nemo brims with the excitement of starting school and finally seeing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Despite being born with a withered fin, Nemo yearns for adventure, and as fate takes him far from home, he learns he is capable of doing great things.

Trip Name: Diving Highlights Duration:

8 Days/ 7 Nights

Price:

From 1390 $ pp

Maybe you can imagine yourself for a moment in the shoes of an underwater creature you meet? Let us know how it went for you!

Contact: 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

21

Little chat with a friend and travel companion from Dakhla: Abdel Salam Dorothee: “Do you remember when we met first?”

Abdel Salam: “Yes of course, I had the honor to host you for New Years Eve in the scientific house called “Deutsches Haus”. I know Tarek much longer, but for us it was the first time I think.”

Dorothee: “Yes, it was amazing, because for me, New Years Eve is always important. I like to celebrate at least a bit and I remember, that you prepared a stylish and delicious meal for us. And the whole atmosphere was amazing as we were the only people there. We had everything only for us and at midnight we were looking to the stars feeling connected to the univers.”

Abdel Salam: ” I am happy, that you liked my food. I like cooking in general and as I am working with foreigners since many years, I know also a bit their taste. You know, I am responsible for this research house, made for German researchers who come from time to time to do their job. Egypt`s treasures are endless.”

Dorothee: “What are you doing, when no one is there?”

Abdel Salam: ” Every now and then I check to see if everything is ok, because even uninhabited houses need attention. I live nearby and am an electrician by profession – someone you always need!”

Dorothee: “Isn`t it lonely there sometimes?”

Abdel Salam: “Oh no, as you have seen, my home is in the beautiful desert landscape, so it is neither boring nor lonely. Every now and then I have to go to Cairo after which I’m really happy to get back to peace and quiet again. And my family is also living close to “Deutsches Haus”.”

Dorothee: “It was particularly nice for me that I was able to understand your Arabic and have a little conversation with you in this language. I’ve been trying to learn it for a long time, but I often don’t speak. It was different with you.”

Abdel Salam: “It was a pleasure. I hope you come visit me more often. And when I come to Cairo next time, I bring you some fresh dates which you don’t find in the supermarket!”

Contact: 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

Authors note: It’s always fascinating how welcome you can feel in Egypt!

22

DABUKA INTERNAL

A warm welcome to our new office member – Shima Amr!

Dabuka on the rise

She joined our team some months ago and is responsible for car organization and office management.

Shima, as she presents herself: “A mother of two and going back to work after a long family vacation, thankfully I found Dabuka as another supporting family, friendly environment that made me loyal and passionate about work. After many years of working in other companies, Dabuka is my favorite place to belong to.”

We are happy about our new support!

Every Tuesday: Personal consulting service

With professional support, our website will be given a new look over the next few months. Then you can find your dream trip even easier.

Discuss with us in our blog. We look forward to the exchange.

23

By Chance Unconventional personage Orde Charles Wingate (1903 - 1944) string, which he bit into occasionally as a snack. He often went around without clothing. In Palestine, recruits were used to him coming out of the shower for some orders, wearing nothing but a shower cap, continuing to scrub himself with a shower brush. Orde sometimes only ate grapes and onions.

He had fought in Ethiopia commanding his special Gideon Force till the end of the East African Campaign. He then reached Cairo where he tried to suicide, but was rescued at the last moment by an officer. He was sent back shortly to the UK to raise and lead a special force in Burma, the Chindits.

Orde Wingate was a military innovator who remains relevant

Field Marshal Montgomery told Moshe Dayan in 1966 that he

today for his unconventional approach to leadership and

considered Wingate to have “been mentally unbalanced and

warfare.

that the best thing he ever did was to get killed in a plane crash in 1944”.

He was born in India, Feb.26, 1903, into a military family and chose to follow the family tradition. He went to the Royal

Really?

Military Academy at Woolwich where he received his officer

Wingate was known for his unconventional thinking and

commission in 1923.

willingness to try new tactics and strategies. In the digital era, managers can take inspiration from Wingate's approach

His uncle Sir Reginald Wingate was Orde’s idol as he had been

by encouraging innovation and creativity within their teams

governor-general of the Sudan between 1899 and 1916 and then

and organizations.

high commissioner of Egypt from 1917 to 1919. With the support of his uncle, Orde obtained a six month leave to mount an

Wingate recognized the importance of psychological warfare

expedition to the Sudan and eventually join the Sudan Defense

and

Force (SDF).

perceptions and influencing outcomes. In the digital era,

the

role

that

communication

plays

in

shaping

managers must also prioritize effective communication, both Orde set out by bicycle via Europe and Cairo to arrive in

internally and externally, to build trust, maintain alignment,

Khartoum in 1927.

and drive success.

Wingate was known for various eccentricities. For instance, he

It looks like we could all become “Digital Chindits”.

often wore an alarm clock around his wrist, whose alarm went off at time. Around his neck he wore raw onions and garlic on a

Editorial Dabuka Travel Visions Issue 4 Editor:

Dorothee Rieche

Art director: Tarek El Mahdy

Contact: 0101 506 9061 Email: service@dabuka.de www.dabuka.com

Contributor: Shada Mamdouh Marketing & Advertising: Mohamed Ibrahim Contact:

For additional and

advertising inquiries please email: magazine@dabuka.de