El Gouna, Egypt June 2023

El Gouna, Egypt

June 2023
Last minute trip to El Gouna – again. I stayed at the Ali Pasha Hotel close to the old harbour in El Gouna’s most popular area. Kitesurfing at Makani Beach Club.

Four days wind for 9m kites, three days for 12m or light-wind kite foiling.

Kite Foil tutorials

YouTube Kitesurf College Foil Tutorials

YouTube Duotone Foil Academy

El Gouna Guide

Our personal guide to El Gouna for restaurants, shops, hotels etc.

Pura Vida – Costa Rica

Pura Vida - Costa Rica

May 20 until June 3rd 2023

From beaches to mountain forests, Cost Rica has it all. While it is very touristy and surprisingly expensive, you will appreciate the kind people, amazing food and nature. During our three weeks, we did a one week retreat with plant medicine at the Nada Brahma Healing Center followed by two weeks traveling through the North eastern part of the country i.e. Vulcano and Hot Sprints at La Fortuna, the mystic mountain forest at Monteverde and the amazing beaches of Tamarindo and Samara.

La Fortuna is very touristy and there is almost no way around booking official tourist attractions if you want to visit the La Fortuna waterfall or do some hikes. There is a great choice of restaurants – we loved Chifa La Familia Feliz.

In Monteverde we did some hikes in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, while staying and dining at the hotel Trapp Family Lodge.

The small Hotel Bahia Beachfront in Samara was a lucky punch! Right on the beach, small and nice with excellent food. We also had the best Casado in Samara at the Roots Bakery & Café.

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

April 9, 2023

During my four week stay in El Gouna, I decided to do a two day trip to the Pyramids with my friend Gisela to bridge two no-wind days. We stayed at a charming hotel located right at the entrance of the visitor area of the Pyramids in Giza. One of the highlights was seeing the pyramids illuminated at night from the hotel restaurant terrace, creating a breathtaking sight.

The following day, we had a private guide for an entire day, who provided fascinating insights into the history and significance of these ancient structures as well as an excellent guidance through the Egyptian museum. The museum is a must see as we were able to see many of the artifacts and treasures that were buried alongside the pharaohs. It is estimated that the Cheops pyramid was constructed over a 20-year period around 2560 BC.

Private Tour Guide

Our private guide – booked via Viator  – was excellent. The full day included the Pyramid tour and an excellent guidance through the Egyptian Museum.

Hotel Tip

The Pyramids Valley Boutique Hotel is nice and simple and most important, right at the entrance of the pyramids with a stunning view of the illuminated Pyramids at night.

Shop & Eat in Cairo

If you have enough time, check out the Khan el-Khalili Market in the old center of Cairo and have dinner at the Khan el-Khalili Restaurant.

Transportation

Uber works great in Cairo! You need Internet access though.

Khan el-Khalili Market in Cairo

We also visited the Khan el-Khalili Market, which is full of souvenirs an local hand crafts. Right next to it is the Egyptian restaurant Khan El Khalili Restaurant et Naguib Mahfouz Coffee Shop where we wanted to have dinner but was completely booked due to the end of Ramadan.

El Gouna, Egypt April 2023

El Gouna, Egypt 2023

March 27

During the four weeks kitesurfing in April I stayed in an Airbnb which turned out to be an excellent option with 50% discount for longer stays. I recommend to make sure to know the exact location before you book.

The wind was either strong or almost nothing, not leaving too many days for foil kitesurfing. Overall about 60% wind to go on the water.

The Makani beach club is getting busier each year. If you want it to be a bit more quiet, Kite Power might be a good option as well. It is just a few meters upwind from Makani and is also a bit easier (less walking) if you want to go out foiling.

El Gouna Guide

Our personal guide to El Gouna for restaurants, shops, hotels etc.

Tulum – Yucatán, Mexico

Tulum, Mexico

Dez 23 to 31st

Tulum is a vibrant and diverse destination that offers something for everyone. During our stay, we were impressed by the wide range of delicious food options available, from traditional Mexican fare to fusion cuisine. The beach hotel strip was bustling with activity and energy, offering plenty of opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. Although we chose to skip the party zone, it was clear that Tulum is known for its nightlife scene. In addition to all the fun, Tulum also makes for a great starting point to explore the natural beauty and rich history of the region. The nearby cenotes and Maya historical sites are must-sees for anyone interested in immersing themselves in the local culture and natural wonders

Kitesurfing in Tulum

Tulum is certainly not a strong wind spot, also not too reliable. The wind is mostly onshore and due to the busy hotel strip along the beach, there are only a few small places where you can launch your kite. You will also have to find a parking spot, which you have to pay for.

For us, probably not a place we would recommend for a kitesurfing vacation.

El Cuyo – Yucatán, Mexico

El Cuyo, Mexico

Dez 10 to 23rd

The sleepy town of El Cuyo in Yucatan, Mexico is a hidden gem. It is known for its delicious seafood, with a variety of dishes made using fresh catches from the sea. One local specialty is ceviche, a dish made with raw seafood that is marinated in citrus juice and spiced with chili peppers. The water in El Cuyo is also a beautiful shade of blue, making it a great spot for swimming and other water activities. While we were there, we were able to kitesurf a few times, but the light wind limited our ability to do it more often. Despite this, we still had a wonderful time in El Cuyo, relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoying the delicious food and stunning natural beauty.

Kitesurfing in El Cuyo

El Cuyo is certainly not a strong wind spot, also most likely not too reliable. There is also a no kite zone east from the pear for, so you need to go a few blocks upwind to go out.

If the wind keeps up, El Cuyo is probably a nice spot – maybe we were just unlucky during the two weeks.

Hotels

Not too many choices, the best one is  Hotel La Casa Cielo.

Restaurants

Amazing Ceviche or grilled shrimps at La Hilary at the harbour or in town at La Conchita.

Great coffee, cake, bowls and more at Naia Cafe & Restaurant.

Exclusive ambiente and good food at MIMISIKU.