AS a kid, I was obsessed with Egypt’s civilisation and would drag my grandparents to Glasgow’s Burrell Collection to bask in the Egyptian artefacts.
I even got my own papyrus-making kit and tried my hand at scribing some hieroglyphics as I told my Nana: “I’d love to visit this place one day.”
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Twenty years later I hopped on a plane to explore my childhood passion.
But I was 170 miles away from the lure of Tutankhamun’s Tomb in Luxor or even further from the incredible pyramids at Cairo, as I embarked on an adventure to stunning Somabay, Egypt.
The up-and-coming resort is simply paradise and prides itself on being a top spot for divers looking to explore the gorgeous waters of the Red Sea.
And to the delight of locals, easyJet launched a direct flight from Glasgow this year to nearby Hurghada, cementing its place as a location on the up.
I was picked up from the airport by private limousine, a service which is available to all visitors who can use it to ferry them around the resort.
The Breakers Diving and Surfing Lodge is only an hour from the airport – which is nothing when you think of the size of this incredible country.
The modern accommodation is inviting and cleverly coloured beige to blend in with the gorgeous sandy surroundings.
Staff were on hand to handle my luggage and even arranged a food platter for me as I missed the hotel buffet dinner – I’ll get to the mouth-watering grub later.
All of the rooms are kitted out with Boho-style furnishings and comes with a balcony, TV, minibar and complimentary Wi-Fi and the cool air-con is welcome.
The bathroom rain shower was powerful and refreshing and the bed was super comfy and right next to the balcony to enjoy the views as you wake.
After feasting on the platter left for me, I was out like a light, as I had a very busy few days ahead.
The Breakers Hotel is a one-stop shop for adventurers seeking to explore the depths of the Red Sea and the most popular resort for divers.
The nearby Orca Dive Centre makes the experience trouble-free and anyone of any ability can explore Egypt’s underwater world with diving courses and excursions to plenty of different sites.
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But before I pulled on my snorkel, I sat down at a beach-view table and tucked into their amazing breakfast spread.
And I didn’t know where to start. The cold selection included fresh fruit, yoghurts, bread and a selection of meats and cheeses.
Chefs were on hand to prepare eggs, crepes and other delights.
Feeling satisfied, it was time to hop on a boat.
The beauty of this place is that everything is on your doorstep and the marina is a few short minutes away in a golf buggy.
We sailed out to the middle of the sea and kicked back with a traditional Egyptian tea before diving in for a stunning morning snorkel.
This is an incredible experience that I can’t recommend enough, once you submerge yourself under the water it’s like entering another planet.
You’re completely cut off from the world above as you glide through stunning coral towers with schools of fish darting past your head.
And if it’s your first time exploring the wonders of the Red Sea, and you fancy being braver than me and taking a deep dive, the diving centre even offers introductory courses for beginners.
The hotel also caters for a range of other fun activities including kitesurfing, yoga, beach volleyball, wakesurfing.
Snorkelling is hungry work and with a rumbling stomach I headed back to the hotel for more delicious dishes.
The restaurant has something for everyone from Italian, to traditional Egyptian cuisine.
My favourite night however was a BBQ on the beach., where I indulged in a selection of steaks, chicken, grilled veg and endless sides.
And as if one sea expedition wasn’t enough, the hotel organised a complimentary sunset boat trip with DJ, cocktails and good company.
The tunes blared out, as we gazed at the golden rays disappearing behind the rocky backdrop of the distant Sinai mountains.
And if you’re holidaying alone, there’s no need to be lonely, as the hotel also caters for solo travellers offering a wide range of activities for guests to mingle including a cocktail night and morning yoga.
On my second day I was keen to get back in the water and went snorkelling again, using equipment provided by the hotel.
Then it was out of the blue and onto the green as I hit Somabay Golf, an 18-hole course with breathtaking views out to the Red Sea.
It’s challenging but user-friendly and I was keen to give it a shot. I used to hit a few balls as a kid but thankfully there was a professional on hand to assist.
We grabbed a beer and explored the course, as the breeze from the shore kept us cool as we putted our way around.
Later that night we went from sand traps to sand dunes with a quad bike safari trip by tour provider Alex Safari.
It was amazing darting through the huge dunes on a buggy and when we weren’t holding on for dear life, there was time to grab some pics.
Before I packed my bags to head home, the hotel made sure I was fully relaxed by treating me to a water therapy massage at the Cascades Spa.
The thalasso-tonic pool is a massive bath containing seawater with water jets providing comfort to regenerate and tone parts of your body.
I felt like a new man after being battered by these powerful jets and didn’t need to be asked twice to put my feet up in the sauna after the session.
Finally, I kicked back at the Wyte Beach Club, a stunning getaway by the sea with palm trees and amazing staff.
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I ordered a seafood platter and pina colada and sat at the beach to catch some final rays before heading for my flight.
I might not have gotten my fix of Egyptian history but one thing’s for sure, this holiday was some-sphinx else.
