South Sinai in blue

CAIRO – 24 December2017: It seems blue paints some of South Sinai’s natural landscapes, from the Blue Hole to the Blue Desert.

The Blue Desert, also known as “blue valley” or “colored mountain”, took its color in 1980 when Belgian artist Jean Verame colored the rocks and boulders of the area with bright turquoise and blue hues as an artistic celebration of the peace treaty signed by Egypt-Israel 1973.


Stanley Bridge in Alexandria, Egypt, December 18, 2017 – Wikimedia/Wing

With the approval of former Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat, after two years of persuading the Egyptian authorities, Verame arrived in Sinai with 10 tons of blue paints which were approved by the United Nations.

Verame worked on the project for two years, using up to 10 tons of paint to complete his project including rocks on an area of four-kilometer with boulders as high as 10 meters, giving the desert a spectacular contrast against the stark yellows and beiges of the desert.


Red mountains in the Blue Desert, May 23, 2015 – Pixabay

The Blue Desert is easily accessible by car from Nabi Salah, or on foot from Wadi Isbaiya through a trail splitting away from the paved road leading to Saint Catherine Monastery, in line with the mausoleum of Sheikh Nabi Salah. Heading southeast, the desert lies in the Saint Catherine Protectorate not far from Mount Sinai.

A work of man-made and natural art amalgamated, the Blue Desert is popular for its red mountains that stand across golden stones and huge sculptures from granite of blue with some green desert plants nestled between them. Even the rocks there are balloon-shaped, resembling large gobs of chewing gum strewn across the desert.

The Blue Desert is an ideal place for travelers who want to camp. For many reasons, it is a precarious place for relaxing, taking beautiful distance and mountain climbing.


Sinai’s blue sky, September18, 2016 – Pixabay