Fifty yards of live coral reef line the beach along the Red Sea, which really is a shade of aquamarine difficult to translate with a camera.
by Mark Silva, notes and photos
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt -- The Red Sea is really aquamarine.
And salty as can be.
Electric-blue and yellow tropical fish shimmer across the live coral reef that lines the beach at Sharm el Sheikh.
Children squeal at the fish crossing a slippery, submerged walkway that leads to the deep water, clear to the bottom, with a hue that defies description. Aquamarine, Tourquoise. All of the above. This walk leads to boats beyond the coral, also a jump-off for snorkelers in the deep.
Tourists from Italy and Greece have come here this weekend.
But so have the president of the United States, the presidents of Egypt, Afghanistan and the Palestine Authority, the prime minister of Pakistan, deputies from Iraq, the King of Jordan and others, which attracts another sort of boat in the off-shore waters.
And don't worry about me -- I'm on the case.
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Comments
Beautiful photos.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | May 17, 2008 10:18 AM
Yes, great photos. The Red Sea looks stunning. Thankfully, though, Mark saved us the agony of seeing him in his shorts!
Posted by: John D | May 17, 2008 12:18 PM
Mark,
You have the coolest job....
Posted by: John E | May 17, 2008 2:10 PM
mark, i am visualizing places that i've only known thru words. they are uniquely beautiful.
Posted by: therese belluscio | May 18, 2008 7:51 AM