Golfing on political turf

While in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula, I went to visit and research the the only golf course in Sharm to do some research for a travel article. Like everyday that I've been in Egypt, this day was notably hot and so it was literally a breath of fresh air to walk into the corridor of the golf course and conference center that was exquisitely decorated and adorned with gorgeous floral arrangements and magnificent works of art. I walked into the clubhouse and was enthusiastically greeted by Ahmed, a staff member of the course. Ahmed shared with me the ins and outs of the Jolie Ville golfing experience and then set me up with one of the caddies to be my tour guide around the course itself. I got into the drivers seat of the golf cart and put the pedal to the metal. The course was virtually empty given the weather and so it was our playground for the hour. Palm trees, 9 lakes, and loads of flowers clothed the grounds and surrounding all around were lovely white villas side by side acting as a gate of sorts. The villas themselves each had pools and were completely empty with not a soul in sight. Apparently they were not for rent or sale and only for President Hosni Mubarak's guests when they came to stay. He holds most of his meetings and talks at the course and conference center, and to allow an "outsider" to occupy the villas in such close proximity to the President and other world leaders on a regular basis would be too much of a security threat. So they remain primarily a decorative touch for the course. When I was finished with my joy ride, photos, and interviews, I went to the clubhouse for a couple of drinks and then a tour of the conference center, press rooms and offices of the President. I find it to be an interesting both peacekeeping and statement making move for the President to hosts his international guests in Sharm-el-Sheik, which lies technically in Asia and in the Sinai Peninsula. Mubarak has been president of Egypt for 28 years and assumed the role after his predecessor Anwar Sadat was assassinated by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad after signing the Israel-Egypt peace treaty in 1979 making Egypt the first Arab nation to recognize Israel. As a result of his signing, the Arab League suspended Egypt from it's alliance for 10 years. The signing of the treaty by Israeli prime minister, Menachem Begin and Sadat led to the two of them sharing the Nobel Peace Prize of 1978, but Sadat lost the favor of the Arab world, his own country, and ultimately his life. Sinai had been the source of geopolitical factions for decades and Israel invaded and occupied the region both in 1952 and 1967. In 1973 Egypt regained control, but Egyptians and the Arab world alike would remain bitter and unforgiving. With the rise of Asia as an economic and political world force and in remembrance of the conflicts and present victory of Egypt on Sinai soil, Jolie Ville in Sharm-el-Sheik, Sinai peninsula, ASIA is both beautiful and peaceful in it's ambiance and political intent. I give it five stars for a golf outing in Egypt!