Indians are cynical by nature – that is the conclusion that I have drawn from the reaction to the ongoing Manmohan Singh visit to the White House. There are exceptions, though, but by and large the inferences drawn from the Indian prime minister’s visit by various self-styled ‘experts’ is that it is high on hyperbole and low in substance. It does not help at all when our present prime minister does not have the charm of a Rajiv Gandhi or the oratorical skills of a Vajpayee. His starchy gait and fumbling, halting speech belies a man who has a razor sharp mind and knows what he wants and how to get it. Those who know Manmohan Singh swear by his competitiveness and strong will power. The Sardar from Gah, in Jhelum (now in Pakistan) is not only a good economist but also a very pragmatic visionary who understands the needs of his country and his people.

The first interaction between President Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was when they read out the opening speeches welcoming and thanking each other. One could see a bemused smile on the face of President Obama when Manmohan Singh in his inimitable halting style read out his thank you note to the president in front of the media. The Sardar, a man of few words is almost tongue tied as he is just unable to make small talk with dignitaries. It was no different when Obama and Singh walked down the red carpet to give the initial comments. On the way back into the White House too, Singh walked silently.  Later the two were to address a joint statement along with a brief press conference. The two sides were engaged in dialogue way past the scheduled time. It took the two leaders almost twenty minutes to emerge from their talks from the scheduled time while the international media waited impatiently. This time too, the Sardar did not make any small talk as he and Obama came forward to issue their statements and answer the questions. But Obama’s gait had changed and far from the bemused look on his face, he had his jaws tight and one could see that there was an element of respect for the economist turned politician. The American press and the world media failed to notice the change in the demeanor of the president. Both the Indian and the American press corps were allowed just one question each (when the British prime minister is there it is five questions each, generally. We are getting there, slowly but surely). The American journalist jumped at the chance of ‘cornering’ Obama and shot a question as regards the increase in troop levels in Afghanistan. The President gave an elaborate answer and hoped that that would be enough till Thanksgiving. The Indian journalist asked the usual customary question which is to get an assurance whether America was for India and the works. It was a run of the mill question and the two leaders mouthed the usual niceties and that was it. That Singh had struck a chord with Obama, most failed to notice. It is still unclear as to whether the two leaders talked one to one or was it a delegation level meeting only. What is clear is that something substantial transpired between the two leaders and that there was a change in the attitude of President Obama.

By evening, during the salutation at the State dinner, (Indian PM was the first guest of honour during Obama presidency) President  Obama said a Namaste and then welcomed the prime minister and the people there in Hindi (aap ka swagat hai)!! Apart from the pomp and the pageantry there was bonhomie and there was warmth between the two leaders and the two delegations. Contrast this with Obama’s China visit and the difference is as clear as day and night. Obama tried hard to come across as a pleasant leader, which he is but the Chinese stiff upper lip was firmly in place. It is true that the US needs China as China needs US but there was still frostiness in the air. Obama almost looked glad he was out of China when he reached Singapore for the next leg of his East Asia tour.

The state dinner at the White House in honor of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was an elaborate affair. Obama was at his charming, confident best and Singh his usual professorial, starchy self. It was a contrast, yet there was so much in common. The two toasted each other and their nations. The warmth was perceptible in the air. It is clear that what was started by President Bush is being carried forward by President Obama. And that is much more than Civil Nuclear Deal which both have endorsed. Here in India, most experts were hung up on whether the Civil Nuclear Deal will be honored by Obama or will it be sidelined and hang in the air. People are naïve and do not understand the semantics of the ties between India and the US. Such ‘experts’ perhaps were hoping against hope that the Nuclear Deal will be set aside. They underestimate the common sense of the Americans and they most certainly are fooled by the demeanor of our prime minister. Such ‘experts’ have still not understood what the Sharm-el-Sheikh Indo-Pak accord has achieved for India. The fact is that Pakistan has been cornered and the Pakistan army is busy fighting the Taliban on the western front. There has been a displacement of more than a million people within Pakistan and the terrorist attacks have subsided on our side. Both Zardari and Gilani have been sidelined and the army is calling the shots. The Pakistan army has been targeted by the Taliban more than once and even the ISI headquarters in Rawalpindi and their offices in Peshawar have been bombed. Peshawar has become a ghost town and Pakistan is trying to come to terms with its own contradictions. Apart from a few skirmishes in Kashmir, India has remained peaceful. Sharm-el Sheikh accord was at the back of this all. Manmohan Singh showed the courage to go out and do what he had to do. Baluchistan is a non-issue and will remain so. Singh wondered aloud recently, before embarking on his trip to the US that he does not know who to talk to in Pakistan. This is what has become of our envious neighbors. While the people of India would like to see a prosperous and peaceful Pakistan it is also true that our first priority is peace within our borders and that is non-negotiable. Terrorism within India must stop and that includes the violence by the Maoists.  The situation in Pakistan is so precarious that their top political leadership has gone incognito. The Sardar is flying high toasting with President Obama while both Beijing and Islamabad are trying to gather the pieces.

Yes, there has been consternation in Islamabad and in Beijing. They are wary of US and India coming close. This recent visit has cemented the ties between the two natural allies. President Obama did not term the Indo-US relations as ‘indispensable’ for no reason. I am still wondering as to what Prime Minister Singh discussed with President Obama behind closed doors while the media waited. The reality will unfold in the months to come. Suffice to say that the Indo-US relations are very wide ranging covering the entire gamut of issues. India will benefit from this strategic partnership as will the US. In Prime Minister Manmohan Singh we have a silent achiever. In President Obama the American people have a visionary. It’s a heady cocktail. The world is watching. Lest we forget, it was all started by President George W. Bush. Obama is taking forward the good work of his Republican counterparts. The starchy Sardar can come back home safe in the knowledge that it was a job well done. India has firmly arrived on the world stage. Good day Mr. President!!

Addendum: The Pakistan army is finding itself between a rock and a hard place. They do not want to fight the Taliban and now they have started saying that they believe that India is planning a ’short, swift war’, in other words a surgical strike. Nothing could be further from truth. They want to get out of a sticky situation and therefore are making up excuses to withdraw from South Waziristan. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on her recent trip to Islamabad had said that purging Pakistan of the radical elements, most notably the Taliban was in Pakistan’s interest. Evidently,the Pakistan army thinks otherwise. This is not an impossible task, were they to get down to it. If they refuse to clean up the mess, they may be able to needle India in the short run, but with the passage of time they will realize that this was not the best choice. Pakistan may have to pay with its very existence  were they to play ball with the jihadists as a matter of policy.

Prime Minister Singh’s initiative in Washington has already shown some results. Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the 26/11 master mind has been charge-sheeted as have six others. India is very clear that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks must be brought to book. The US understands India’s stand and has decided to back India on this.

Update 26.11.2009: The fact that a socialite couple from Virginia gate crashed into the state dinner hosted by the Obamas is bigger news. That the state dinner was in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a footnote. Many newspapers have carried the state dinner either for the golden dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama or for the fact that there was a couple that managed to gate crash into the dinner party. The photos of the gate crashing couple is hot property. The Los Angeles Times has reported it thus:

The Secret Service is looking into its security procedures after determining that a Virginia couple, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, slipped into Tuesday night’s event even though they were not on the guest list, agency spokesman Ed Donovan said.

What transpired between the two leaders has global implications but that does not concern most people around the world. It is the trivia that makes news. Suits leaders like Manmohan Singh fine, as he does not enjoy the spot light anyway.

Update 28.11.2009: India has voted against Iran at the IAEA. One of the correspondent reported this as follows:

India has voted along with the US, China and other major powers in favour of a German-sponsored resolution at the IAEA on referring the Iran nuclear programme yet again to the UN Security Council.

However, it clarified in its explanation of vote that this decision “cannot be the basis of a renewed punitive approach or new sanctions.”

Three countries, Venezuela, Malaysia and Cuba, voted against the resolution and six abstained: Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey.

There was a discussion on this on one of the innumerable news channels and there was this ‘most distinguished’ former diplomat Mr. Natwar Singh who not only ran down the prime minister’s visit to the US as low on substance but also criticized India’s decision to vote against Iran at the IAEA. Most of the other panelists were against this move, though some like Mr. Mattoo tried to pass this off as ‘realpolitik’ and ‘national interest over ideology’. This was neither realpolitik nor being pragmatic. This was a necessity. India does not want proliferation in the neighborhood. People do not realize that a nuclear Iran will be a threat to India. Today, we may be having good relations with Iran but sometime in future this relationship may change, especially if Pakistan implodes. They have missiles that have a range of more than 2000 kilometers. They can easily hit Delhi if they wanted to, and if their missiles are nuclear tipped that will compound our problems. This is not ‘realpolitik’ this is simple rationale. Our friend, Israel is the reason for this militarization of Iran and we need to heed the needs of our friends too. A nuclear Iran will be a disaster for the region, including South Asia.

Natwar Singh very pompously said that when he is asked by diplomats as to why he thought that India cannot be a ‘natural ally’ of the US he replies that since India is not a part of the NATO therefore such natural alliance is not possible. This is as ridiculous as one can be. The man calls himself a former diplomat and then shoots off his mouth with such ridiculous statements, it is hard to believe. The fact is there are many countries outside of the NATO that are ‘natural allies’ of the west and the US in particular, Australia and New Zealand being two of them. India is firmly where it belongs, a part of the free, civilized world. India is an extension of the west in this part of the world. Socialists like our ‘intellectual elite’ cannot and do not want to understand this fact.

One little detail. Prime Minister Singh’s aircraft with his staff and entourage landed at the St. Andrews airport in the outskirts of Washington DC. This is a military base and the US president uses it from time to time. Not every one is allowed this facility. I hope our ‘intellectual elite’ get a reality check before they shoot their mouths off. It would not harm the national interest at all if we started behaving as a responsible nuclear weapons state, a fact that was endorsed by President Obama and earlier by President Bush.

Lastly, a Chinese “NGO” (when did this species evolve?) called Asia-Africa Department of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with foreign countries, arrived in India recently and was making all the right noises including the fact that the Dalai Lama should not be an impediment to Sino-Indian relations. This was right during prime ministers visit to the US. The dragon has blinked, or so it seems.

Our national interest should be our top priority and people of all hues getting so much importance, throwing so much rubbish around is detrimental to our cause. We must look at what is beneficial for us as a nation. This hackneyed rhetoric should not be given media space at all.

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

Hotels have long been known for their social roles, and for their ability to continually reinvent themselves to relevant for today’s lifestyle taste. After all, consumer taste seems to change faster than changing bed linens.

In line with the idea of making every inch of the hotel a profit center. First it was the Spa, a permanent fixture in fine hotels today. And now, all eyes are on the best underutilized space: the Rooftop Area!

Here’s a look at how rooftops are rejuvenating hotels across the world. Wether for lounging with cocktail in hand, or pools and spas, launch parties, cool events, film parties… all making their way to the top of the hotel… where it’s Hot, Hip & Happening! And the bright city lights and skyline make for a spectacular backdrop.

Nu har jag lagt upp busstidtabeller från de flesta turistorter i Egypten för dig som vill resa lite mer på egenhand.

Vill du veta mer kan du numer ställa dina frågor via facebookgruppen “Resor till Egypten”.

Johannes

Egyptenguidens utflyktspaket hittar du här

Source: Global Edge

Budget airline easyJet has announced 22 new European routes which come into effect in November as part of its new winter schedule.

A number of overseas property destinations are set to benefit from the extra footfall including The Canary Islands and Italy, both with three new routes and Egypt with two extra routes. Other beneficiaries include Cyprus, Israel, Portugal, France and Morocco.

The new routes to be introduced this winter are: 
•    Manchester to Marrakech    
•    Liverpool to Fuerteventura    
•    Lyon to Nantes    
•    Rome Fiumicino to Lamezia    
•    Rome Fiumicino to Amsterdam    
•    Rome Fiumicino to Lisbon    
•    Madrid to Amsterdam    
•    London Gatwick to Porto    
•    London Luton to Tel Aviv    
•    Liverpool to Lanzarote (Arrecife)    
•    London Luton to Sharm El Sheikh    
•    London Stansted to Fuerteventura    
•    London Luton to Paphos ( Cyprus)    
•    London Gatwick to Agadir    
•    Manchester to Copenhagen    
•    Manchester to Munich    
•    Geneva to Copenhagen    
•    Geneva to Sharm El Sheikh    
•    Geneva to Toulouse    
•    Edinburgh to Lyon    
•    Lyon to Brussels    
•    London Gatwick to Hamburg

November 3, 2009. Source: Cheap Flights

British Airways has launched a new thrice weekly service from London Gatwick Airport to the popular Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh.

The new connection is being operated by a Boeing 777 configured with three cabins, offering a choice of World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.

Sharm El Sheikh recently knocked Majorca off the top spot in a list of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits during the October school half-term.

The resort – renowned around the world for its pristine beaches and top-class diving sites – witnessed a 142 per spike in bookings during the autumn break.

“As one of the top tourism sites in Egypt and around the world, Sharm El Sheikh is a key destination not only for British Airways, but for our valued clients and for the tourism industry in Egypt,” commented Mervat Alfy, country commercial manager for BA in Egypt.

“The re-launch of British Airways flights to Sharm El Sheikh links the top leisure destinations in both Egypt and the UK, opening the door to a whole new world of holiday travel experiences.”

The British flag carrier had previously operated services to the Egyptian resort through franchise operator GB Airways, which it sold to easyJet in March 2008.

Properties for Sale in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt:-

• * Nabq Bay Apartments
• * Sinai Golf Heights – Nabq Bay Golf Front Apartments
• * Pyramisa Hotel & Resort – Sharks Bay – Beach front Hotel room investment opportunity
• * Savanna – Sharks Bay - 8% Guaranteed Rental for 10 years

Brits were not prepared to forgo their sunshine ‘hit’ Terry Perrin, Director of Trading & Business Development at American Express Global Foreign Exchange Services explains: “Currency sales in the third quarter of this year (July – September 2009), remain on par with previous years, suggesting that despite the tightening of purse strings up and down the country, Brits were just not prepared to forgo their annual summer holiday.

“Undoubtedly the much published no-show ‘barbeque summer’ also helped fuel the trend in last minute bookings and currency sales towards the end of the season.” Turkey and Egypt continue to attract Brits with guaranteed sun and inclusive packages.

“We continued to see significant year-on-year volume increases in currencies for destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, by as much as 26% and 60% (respectively), as holidaymakers looked to destinations that offer guaranteed sunshine and value for money.” 

American Express Global Foreign Exchange Service predicts that Turkey and Egypt will continue to be hotspots in 2010 with holiday makers enticed by an abundance of all inclusive package deals and the opportunity to make their pennies go further outside the Eurozone.

Holidaymakers are still racking up their ‘long-haul air miles’ UK demand for currencies to long-haul destinations such as Mexico, Thailand, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica have also increased year-on-year and follow the trend seen in Q2 that holidaymakers are prepared to travel long-haul and outside the Eurozone for value for money destinations.

These findings go hand-in-hand with the decline in demand for currencies linked to traditional mini-break destinations such as the Czech Republic Koruna (Prague), which has fallen five places since Q3 2008 and the Polish Zloty (Krakow), which has fallen by two places. This suggests that many holidaymakers are still opting for more premium holiday destinations but reigning in their overall annual spend by going without mini-breaks.

The South African Rand set to ‘shine’ in 2010
Another ‘long-haul’ currency that has increased in popularity since 2008 is the South African Rand. Perrin said: “Whilst the South African Rand has only risen up the American Express league table by one place since 2008, it is certainly moving in the right direction. With South Africa being the host to the much anticipated 2010 World Cup, we expect its currency to be a significant ‘mover’ in Q1 and Q2 of 2010, with sizeable volume increases.”

Demand for the United Arab Emirates Dirham has also risen by one place since 2008, the only typical longer-haul ‘mini-break’ currency to increase, proving that Brits’ fascination with Dubai is set to continue.

Properties for sale in Egypt:-

* Pyramids Beach Hurghada – Beach front development

*Studio Apartments Luxor

*2 Bed Apartment Luxor

*3 Bed Apartment Luxor

* Nabq Bay Apartments

* Sinai Golf Heights, Nabq Bay, Sharm El Sheikh

* Pyramisa Hotel & Resort Sharks Bay, Sharm El Sheikh

* Savanna – Sharks Bay, Sharm El Sheikh

Property & Land for sale in Dominican Republic

• *60 sqm Apartments Eden Caribe
• *Land Eden Caribe – Joint Venture investment
• *120 sqm Apartments Eden Caribe
• *2 Bed Villa Eden Caribe
• *3 Bed Villa Eden Caribe
• *4 Bed Villa Eden Caribe
• *5 Bed Villa Eden Caribe

That’s the number of mosquito bites I could see on me after just 2 nights at the Cleopatra Tsokkas Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. It would seem that those fussy Egyptian mozzies prefer my pale succulent flesh to the harder more sinewy Egyptian counterpart, either that or we had by chance arrived on mosquito free for all feast day.  I did consider joining the dots up to see what crazy picture those arty mosquitoes had created on me.

Sharm  isn’t the real Egypt of course, just a resort, but it was hot and sunny in November, and as cheap as chips, so frankly I’m not going to complain.  It does have a few things in common, a currency so filthy you have to take handwash with you when you go shopping,  taxi drivers continualy honking their horns, driving with just the dimmest sidelights, and of course the need to barter pretty much every where you go to shop.

Mozzy bites aside, a lovely 7 days in the sun, swimming with the fishes and total relaxation. Only tarnished by the one swim that I took my phone with me!   The salt water was just too much for it and it perished at sea.

Molo. Jedno z wielu używanych do snorkelingu.

Coś dziwnego czaiło się w wodzie. Sharm El Sheikh, Red Sea.

… chyba  nawet ładniej niż w dzień. A na pewno chłodniej.

If you are looking to arrange your own flights for your holiday villa rental then it will be worth looking at EasyJets’ new routes.

The new routes are focusing on the popular winter sun destinations and the new services start Thursday 29th of October, with Manchester to Marrakech.

A raft of new routes start operating on November 2 including Gatwick to Porto, Liverpool-Fuerteventura and Luton-Tel Aviv.

A Liverpool-Lanzarote service starts on November 3 together with Luton to Sharm el Sheikh.

November 4 sees the introduction of Stansted-Fuerteventura, Luton-Paphos and Gatwick-Agadir.

Manchester flights to Copenhagen and Munich start on November 6, Edinburgh-Lyon on December 17 and Gatwick-Hamburg on February 2.

So if you are looking for some winter sun, take a look and see what EasyJet have to offer.

VillaWarehouse.com admin team

Nilkreuzfahrt und Badeurlaub

Hier einige Angebote für einen entspannten Urlaub in Ägypten! Nilkreuzfahrt und Badeurlaub 2010 mit Kombireisen und Rundreisen (Ausflügen nach Kairo, Alexandria und Abu Simbel). 1 Woche Nilkreuzfahrte und 1 Woche Badeurlaub am Roten Meer in Hurghada oder Marsa Alam. Oder eine Rundreise mit der Sinai Halbinsel und einen Hotelaufenthalt in Sharm El Sheikh oder Taba.

Nilkreuzfahrt und Badeurlaub 2010:

Zum Beispiel die MS GRAND SUN oder MS SUNTIMES in Kombination mit einem Hotel in Hurgahda am Roten Meer. Buchbar sind die Reisen ab vielen deutschen Flughäfen. Reisen inkl. Flug, Transfer, Nilkreuzfahrt. ACHTUNG: die Ausflugspakete sind im Reisepreis teilweise schon mit enthalten. Also auch hier kann man schon ein paar Euro sparen.

Nu slipper du bussresan! Vi erbjuder inrikesflyg till Kairo Från flera orter i Egypten : Bekväm utflykt 2250:-

]]> http://homesandtravel.co.uk/2009/10/20/overseas-property-round-up/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:25:02 +0000 stewart andersen http://homesandtravel.co.uk/2009/10/20/overseas-property-round-up/

Hamptons International Hosts Exclusive India Property Show

This is a unique chance to be the first to view leading Indian developments

Hamptons International, one of the UK’s premier international residential agents, will be hosting an exclusive property event: ‘The India Property Show’ from 31st October – 1st November (10am-6pm) at its head office – 32 Grosvenor Square, London W1.

The property event will uncover some of the fantastic developments currently available for sale in India

Commonwealth Village

and will provide customers with the very latest information on India as well as the chance to discuss investment opportunities first hand with Hamptons International’s leading property experts.

Working in partnership with market-leading developers across India including – Emaar MGF, Spire Edge, AIPL, ANR Infrastructure, Santa Fe Realty, Ace Projects, Godrej and Wadhawa – the Hamptons International ‘India Property Show’ will showcase the very best and latest property available.

Many of the properties have not yet been released to market – so the event will offer visitors the chance to be one of the first to preview them.

Rob Bruce, Research Manager – Hamptons International comments “India offers a very exciting opportunity to buy into the new economic powerhouse and the fourth largest economy in the world with GDP accelerating year on year. Forecast growth in the Indian economy and the recovery of Indian real estate are driving rental yields equal to those in London, with average yields as high as 4.7% for New Delhi and Mumbai apartments.”

Dean Foley, International Sales Manager – Hamptons International, comments, “India has always been a major market for Hamptons International, given the UK’s long and close ties with this incredible country. We have certainly seen, over the last few months, an up-turn in the amount of transactions completing by our UK NRI clients due in part to long-term growth plans and affordable real estate. We anticipate this interest to go from strength to strength over the coming months and years.”

To register your interest for this exclusive event please contact Hamptons International on +44 (0) 20 3179 9900

The Cotton Bay Marina & Golf Resort – Sal, Cape Verde

Cotton Bay pool and villa

Luxury beachfront 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments and duplexes and 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom villas in Sal, Cape Verde in a stunning eco-complex boasting swimming pools, a green park and sports complex.

Prices for apartments start at £93,658/ €99,843 and villas start at £447,060/€476,584. For more information contact Experience International free on +44 (0)207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

Sierra Nabq, Sharm El Sheikh

Situated in an area of great historical interest and natural beauty this resort will attract buyers looking

Sierra Nabq

for sun or adventure. Sierra Nabq Resort is available as one, two and three bedroom apartments all overlooking pools and many offering a roof terrace or a private garden area. This complex benefits from ten swimming pools and is close to a hypermarket and shopping mall.

Property prices start from only 360,000 EGP (£40,380 Euro 44,050 approx.) to 800,000 EGP (£89,740 Euro 97,890 approx.) For more information on this first-class property contact Experience International free on +44 (0)207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com

Fijnbosch Estate, St Francis, South Africa

Luxurious 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom properties situated on the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in an exclusive gated community. Prices range from £142,680/€178,677 to £227,220/€284,500 and for more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Samanah Country Club, Marrakech

Samanah Country Club 2

Just 8km from Marrakech International Airport, Samanah Country Club includes a Jack Nicklaus-designed private 18-hole golf course and a range of 3- to 6-bedroom villas and riads, traditionally designed. Prices start from £284,554/ €357,000 to £1,723,674/ €2,162,000 and for more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Azulara, Funchal, Madeira

Azulara Resort comprises of 112 imaginatively designed apartments finished to the highest standards with enviable panoramic sea views. The 5-star resort affords all the luxury amenities Experience International clients would expect including a spa, gymnasium, swimming pools and exclusive Members Club.

This is a fresh opportunity to invest in the up-and-coming European market of Madeira. The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments range in price from €251,530 – €429,038.

For more information contact Experience International on 020 7321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com

Amendoeira Golf Resort, Alcantarilha, Algarve

Amendoeira Golf Resort

Two and three bed apartments and three, four or five bed villas set on the Amendoeira Golf Resort in Silves, against the magnificent Monchique Mountains. The resort boasts two golf courses, one of Nick Faldo design, and excellent facilities. Prices from €450,000/£426,294 to €1,800,000/£1,705,178. For more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bw-international.com

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

- Las Vegas – daily, non-stop flight from London Heathrow commencing 25 October
- Maldives – thrice weekly, non-stop flight from London Gatwick commencing 25 October
- Sharm El Sheikh – thrice weekly, non-stop from London Gatwick commencing 26 October
- Punta Cana – twice weekly, via Antigua, from London Gatwick commencing 26 October
- Montego Bay – twice weekly, non-stop from London Gatwick commencing 29 October

Private PADI Scuba Open Water Diving Certification with  me in Sharm El Sheikh is perfect for individuals or private groups who want flexibility and convenience of private instruction. Your instructor will take you through the PADI Scuba Certification course in as few as 4 days! With your own personal PADI instructor, the scuba course schedule and pace will be tailored to meet your needs.

Private Scuba Diving Pacific Beach Instruction. The instructors will come to your home or other convenient location for the pool and knowledge training modules. The remaining lessons will take place in one of  Sharm El Sheikh shore dive sites!

Diving in the Red Sea is an incredible adventure. With visibility up to 45m, warm water temperatures, a great climate and an array of tropical fish, dolphins and reefs to discover, snorkelling just doesn’t do it justice. Revel in the underwater world and appreciate the wide variety of dive sites and attractions within this exceptional part of the world, a major reason why Sharm el-Sheikh has become such a popular holiday destination. It is important to entrust a Scuba Instructor that not only offers knowledge, experience, and the enthusiasm to teach.

Email me sirwinb@hotmail.com  today to work out your personal scuba diving certification schedule and enjoy the flexibility and convenience you need.

Price: $250 / person (excludes all equipment,study material and PADI certification fee)

Email: sirwinb@hotmail.com

Not many people know that I have a life beyond Tango, but I do.  In fact, many of us do.  I like to scuba dive.  No, forget that, I LOVE to scuba dive.  I have been diving more than twice as long as I have been dancing.  I took it up for several reasons: 1) to conquer a fear of being underwater with something attached to my face, 2) because I was single and I needed a holiday I could do that didn’t depend on going with another person, 3) because if you scuba dive you don’t have to be alone and it is easy to make friends or just be around other people (if I didn’t take up scuba, I probably would have gone on trekking holidays), 4) I love warm weather holidays and it would add another dimension to my holiday.

I had a taster dive in a private pool, just to see how I got on, because I had this fear.  Well, the fear was only in my mind and I had no problem in the water with all the dive kit on, so I booked my course and got my PADI certification.  I have been to some beautiful places.  I have met some very interesting and wonderful people.  In fact, I have met my Amor on a scuba diving holiday.

I may have more dancing hours under my belt than scuba hours, but I love them both and for different reasons.  If I could scuba dive in the daytime and dance Tango at night, life would just be utterly perfect.

I was tweeted today by Mikeinvan.  He sent me this link on where I could do just that.  Tango in Sharm! What a perfect combination.  I wish I knew about this sooner!  I don’t know who these people are that are organising this event in November, but knowing that there would be a milonga to go to after a day’s diving sounds pretty good to me!  If I don’t make it this year, I am certainly going to the next one!

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