|
|
|
Report by Amani Amin
|
Dr. Mounir Nematalla(top)
Apricot Palace one of the typical traditional Siwan kershef houses
that make up the lodge (right)
|
|
Dr.Nematalla
Mud, salt and sand might not sound like the ingredients of anything
luxurious, yet this is exactly what Dr. Nematalla used to build a one of a
kind resort in Egypt.
Bordering the largest expanse of sand in the world near the oasis of Siwa
lies Adrere Amellal (White Mountain in Siwan Berber) the brainchild of Dr.
Mounir Nematalla, who chairs Environmental Quality International, a
private firm that began investing in the oasis a few years ago proclaiming
eco-sensitive sustained development for Siwa, whose unique identity is
threatened by the spread of central Egypt. "Adrere Amellal
caters to travelers who share a love of nature, a yearning for adventure
and an appreciation of indigenous culture", he says.
A Three day visit
From
left ambassadors Sir Derek Plumbly of UK, Raimund Kunz of Switzerland,
Israfil Vekilov of Azribijan,Ferdinand Trauttmansdorf of Austria, Dr.Ali
El-Sei'di Minister of Industry, Dr.Amani Amin, Mrs Amr Moussa, Dr.Zahi
Hawas,Mrs. Maha Abdelfattah, Dr. Mounir Nematalla and Lady Plumbly.
On
March 18 2004, Dr.Neamatalla hosted a high-level official delegation at
this exquisite spot in Siwa. Fayza Abul-Naga, Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs and Ali El-Sei'di, Minister
of Industry together with 15 foreign ambassadors enjoyed Dr. Nematalla's
hospitality during their visit to the area. The objective of the visit was
to promote Siwa's economic and tourist investment potential.
The Lodge
The lodge, was built with 100 percent Siwan labour so that it would fit
entirely into the architectural styles of the oasis. Built out of
indigenous material using traditional Siwan building techniques and styles
so as to have a minimal impact on the land Adrere Amellal sets an example
for ecolodge development.
 Situated
at the base of a majestic white mountain and overlooking olive and palm
groves as well as the Siwa lake, Adrere Amellal consists of a series of
traditional Siwan kershef houses that have been restored and reconfigured
into ten suites and 17 rooms, all of which offer genuine desert-style
comfort. Furnishing is simple, but of the highest quality, drawing
exclusively on local material and design to reflect Siwa's rugged spirit.
Kershef, a mixture of sun dried salt rock mixed with straw, is used for
wall building. Furniture and fixtures are made of palm trunks and fronds,
while carpentry and accessories display the rich and colorful variety of
the region's indigenous handicraft. Oil lamps and candles are used for
lighting. On cold winter nights, coal-filled braziers are used for
heating.
Organic Dining
Meals
are quite an experience; fresh yogurt, thick date syrup, eggs, local
bread, fruit and rich coffee make up breakfast which is served in natural
rocky grottos at the base of the mountain, lunch in village style by the
swimming pool, hidden within a palm and olive grove and fed by one of the
230 springs in the area, while dinner is by candle light and served in the
maze of dining rooms, alcoves and bars, their mud walls studded with
chards, or slices, of salt (from nearby salt lakes) that make dining under
candlelight like eating in a galaxy.
What to see and do in Siwa
|
Cleopatra's bath
Guests
can tour the village of Siwa, with its 13th-century-old enclave of
Shali,
and can drive or
cycle through Siwa's dense palm groves to bathe in Cleopatra's
bath and the Spring of the
Sun. |
Shali
|
 Following
into the steps of Alexander at Aghurmi(left)
The guests, accompanied by Dr.Zahi Hawas during their last day at Siwa,
visited the mountain of the dead
and followed the steps of Alexander the Great at Aghurmi.
The main attraction of Siwa Oasis is Aghurmi or the Temple
of the Oracle Ammun located 4 km
from Siwa and dating back to the 26th Dynasty. The temple has a forecourt,
a vestibule and a sanctuary.This is where Alexander the Great sought
counsel from the god Amun before taking over rule of Egypt.
Plutarch recorded:"Having
passed through the wilderness, they came to the place where the high
priest, at the first salutation, bade Alexander welcome from his father
Ammon. And being asked by him whether any of his father's murderers had
escaped punishment, he charged him to speak with more respect, since his
was not a mortal father. Then Alexander, changing his expression, desired
to know of him if any of those who murdered Philip were yet unpunished,
and further concerning dominion, whether the empire of the world was
reserved for him? This, the god answered, he should obtain, and that
Philip's death was fully revenged, which gave him so much satisfaction
that he made splendid offerings to Jupiter, and gave the priests very rich
presents. This is what most authors write concerning the oracles. But
Alexander, in a letter to his mother, tells her there were some secret
answers, which at his return he would communicate to her only. Others say
that the priest, desirous as a piece of courtesy to address him in Greek,
"O Paidion," by a slip in pronunciation ended with the s instead
of the n, and said "O Paidios," which mistake Alexander was well
enough pleased with, and it went for current that the oracle had called
him so."
The hillsides
with their honeycomb of tombs abound in the area. Some still hold mummies
and many have their original funeral murals.
Four-wheel-drive
treks
into the Great Sand Sea take you along breathtaking scenery. Your guides
brew traditional Arabic tea and you are treated to a meal of dates and
sour goat milk as you take in the splendid view of the largest sand dune
in the world.
Siwa Oasis enjoys numerous properties that place it at the top of the list
of these sites recommended for
therapeutic tourism.
It is distinguished by a calm, clear environment and mild temperature. By
boiling the deep subterranean pollution free mineral water a treatment is
available for treating renal stones.
Gabal al Takrour is important for in treating Rheumatism and general
weakness by burying the patient in hot sands surrounding the mountain.
Return to Adrere Amellal
And finally return to the Adrere Amellal ecolodge to sip a chilled glass
of karkade or tamarind on your room's terrace overlooking one
of Siwa's many salt lakes. Soon it will be dark. Candle light dinner,
anyone?
Apricot
Palace terrace overlooking the lake
sources:
Alexander in Egypt (diod -Plutarch)
The Desert Sun
Desert Traveller
USA Today
Ahram Weekly
Egy.com
Back
to top
|
