If a photo would save a thousand words, and nowadays it's worth the same number of clicks, there should be a good reason for that. When the place, the photo is about, no longer stands the way it used to be 20 years ago, definitely it is a good reason for a thousand clicks.

In the early 80s and as a part of a complete strategy from the Egyptian government to develop the whole Sinai, connecting the peninsula with the rest of Egypt was inevitable. Constructing a tunnel that runs under Suez canal to establish ground traffic was the first to be set in the plan. Ahmad Hamdy tunnel which is 1.64 km with a total length of 4.20 km including the entrances was open for all kind of vehicles by 1983.

Only one year later at 1984, it was my first visit to Sharm, and while on the road i was in mass need to see a road-sign that would tell me i haven't lost my way yet. Once there, I was taken by the beauty and unique mountainous nature that dominates most of Sinai and so was everyone else that first went there. As the peninsula lies amidst Africa and Asia , it gathered and blended the main geographical characteristics as well as the flora and fauna of the 2 continents in one, forming a unique nature of its own.

There weren't much of man-made constructions done by that time, if not at all. Only one hotel in Ne'ama bay and a small restaurant used to offer snacks for the early few explorers who came to dive, snorkel or simply to enjoy the beauty of Sharm. It was a time in Ne'ama bay, that wherever you drop your backpack, you just had made your reservation in a million-star hotel that you would spend the whole night gazing at. The golden sand and clear blue water embraced by the magnificent reddish mountains all together was the prevalent and dominant view your eyes would see.

Trying to capture this scene, I climbed the southern plateau of Ne'ama bay and took a panoramic shot for the whole famous bay. Never crossed my mind at that moment that I've just recorded what it would be considered history 20 years later.

It wasn't before the early 80s when Sharm started to gain its world wide reputation as one of the best diving sites in the world along with Ras Mohamed only few kilometers south of the main town. Before that date to early history, Sharm was only known as fishing place for local Bedouin community.

The numerous natural heritages Sharm has been blessed with, ensured a promising premium for early investors, and made the government's role much easier. However, and out of deep concerns to protect and preserve these same heritages, Ras Mohamed was announced the first protected area in Egypt  in the year 1983. It is situated at the farther southern tip of Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets with the Gulf of Suez . Maybe it was Ras Mohamed with its marvelous coral reef ecosystem which first attracted divers from all over the world, followed by all nature's beauty seekers.

During the years that followed, no city in Egypt had ever encountered such rapid and great touristy development like what happened in Sharm, till it became the first leading tourist city in just few years, and still expanding.

In 2005 i decided to go to Sharm, hopefully to locate the very same spot over the plateau i took that panoramic shots from 20 years ago, and shoot it again, and here i am sharing it with you.

Although Ne'ama bay still the main tourist center of Sharm forming a big resort of its own, yet the whole cost line starting from Sharm the town all the way north till Nabp protectorate, is now filled of all kind of luxurious resorts. White became the dominate color that hits your eyes wherever you look, as it's the preferable color for most of the resorts and hotels.

You would find all levels of accommodations available, from moderate and intimate hotels that suit budget travelers, to international chain fancy resorts with superb facilities competitive to any of its class anywhere in the world.

The constant flow of tourists pouring into Sharm with the wish even to attract more helped vacationer to find about any activity he would hope to find.

One can jut relax on the beach enjoy the clear sunny sky almost all year round, reading a favorite book after long hard working months. While pumping up some adrenaline tends to be tempting to some others, para-sailing, water-skiing or even bungee-jump are alternative options to choose from. From horse riding or camel riding, watching the sunset behind the fantastic mountains of Sharm to cart tracts and  golfing are just other few to mention. 

The numerous types of excursions to almost all sights of attractions whether nearby or far are definitely a plus and a grantee you would never feel bored or miss anything while in Sharm. You can enjoy riding quads to Nabq protectorate and enjoy a delicious Bedouin lunch under shaded tents surrounded by mangrove trees growing up in the middle of salt water.  Another memorial excursion is visiting St. Katherine monastery climbing Mt. Sinai by night to watch the breathtaking view of the sunrise behind the summits of Sinai mountains. One-day excursion to Petra or even to the great pyramids in Giza is a living proof for how Sharm motto "you-can-have-it-all" works for real. 

 By night, Sharm, especially Ne'ama bay area would give you that taste and flavor of Las Vegas . Not essentially because of the various casinos billboards scattered along the main road of Sharm, but more likely for that spectacular ambiance that Sharm dresses up with by night. It's these colorful, glittering and cheerful lights that cover and coat almost every building around, had it been restaurants, malls, hotels, discos or shops.

 The elegant and harmonious architectural style that has been adopted by the recently-born city has a major effect on that ambiance for sure. Not to mention all the foreign languages you keep hearing and reading over signs when you stroll along the famous promenade of Ne'ama bay, coming across people from all nationalities. The multiple choices of the promising night outings in Sharm, sure would make your walk longer than you have expected. The different flavorful aroma emitted from smoking "shisha" is probably the only thing for sure that tells you  still in Egypt.                                                                                            

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Hany el Zorkany.