Our next destination was Taba, 169 km away from Jabel Musa. We departed Jabel Musa with mixed feeling – disappointment and excitement; disappointed that the so called Islamic historical evidence or spots are not properly maintained and managed. In fact, the spots' authenticities are still being challenged by the Western Scholars, Historian and archeologists. Some claimed that, Mount Sinai is situated in the Northern part of Saudi Arabia, in the Eastern side of Gulf of Aqaba. And, as far as my knowledge is concerned, no Islamic Scholars tried to proof the histories which have been stipulated in the Holy AL-Quran 1428 years ago.
The journey to Taba was thrilled by the winding Nuweiba highway sandwich by Jabel Gunna and Jabel Umm. An hour after departing Jabel Musa, the swaying but smooth highway forced us to stop, wrecked havoc our headache and one of us thrown-out. The rest took the opportunity to show their mountaineering skills.Arrived at Nuweiba around 16:40 hrs. We performed our Maghrib and ‘Isya prayers at Nuweiba Mosque. Subsequently, went around the small town and decided moving off at 17:30 hrs to Taba.
We approached Taba’s night skyline at about 18:15 hrs. One could hardly see the beach-line and the rugged mountain ranges on the right. However, we were amazed by the glittering Red Sea poured by the striking lights from all 5 and 6 Stars Resorts along the 20 km Taba’s beach. There were no towns except resorts along the Nuweiba – Taba highway. Luckily, 50 meters before the exclusive Taba Heights entrance, a very pleasant restaurant next to Esso Gas station called SeaView Restaurant catered our empty ‘tanks’ and energized our tired muscle with delicious & scrumptious grilled chickens, locally prepared macaroni, Egyptian rice and Chai bi Laban. All these cost us LE 190. We captured the charming scene the next morning at around 08:30hrs. A very unusual scene for us though, you could watch some wild camels loitering around the beach scavenging for food.
Alhamdullillah Salamah, praise only for Allah swt that we had safely arrived at the eastern tip of Egypt, the southern gate to Israel – Taba. Taba is the border town of Egypt-Israel border. You could cross the border to visit Aqaba, Jordan via Elat, Israel by paying LE 63 per person and LE29 for the car. At this point, there are two 5 Stars hotels – Hilton Taba and Movenpick. Newly built Hotel Sand is not operating yet. Basically, there are no shops, restaurants, information center and other public amenities except the three hotels, Immigration office, Check points, Power station and flag memorial at this tip. Taxi services are easily available. This is what we called the missed opportunity! You could spend your shopping time and other activities at Elat which is just 2 km away across the border. Unfortunately, we Malaysians were prohibited to enter Israel due to diplomatic reason. However, we managed to capture few photos at the No Man land.
The No Man land between Egypt and Israel. Our lifetime experience and a dream came through. Million of Thanks PETRONAS.
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