[DemolitionRed]

In 2008 we got stuck in a five star hotel near the airport after holidaying in Sharm el-Sheikh. We weren't permitted to use the hotel facilities and were treated by the hotel staff like untouchables. We weren't allowed in the swimming pool and although it was all inclusive we weren't allowed to dine with the regular guests. That was a grim two days and a bad end to an already awful holiday.

I've lived in Iran but felt much less safe in Sharm el-Sheikh. We were warned not to venture off the holiday complex. They had armed guards at the gate, not to stop people coming in but to stop tourists wandering out and when we did get out to visit Valley of the Kings, we had to go in a congo with a dozen other vehicles for our own safety. When we arrived back it was dark so we drove slowly through the desert with the headlights off and when got stopped at two checkpoints, plain clothed men carrying kalashnikov got on the coach and abruptly demanded to see our passports.

We went during peaceful times so imagine what its like now.