Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses, or Jebel Musa in Arabic. The volcano is believed to be the place where Prophet Moses received the ten commandments of God.

The journey from Cairo to Mount Sinai reached a distance of about 316 km. The trip is relaxed and not rush this allows us to come to the city of Alexandria and visit the former Israeli bunker when the war with several Arab countries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War). Also had a chance to see big ships laden containers browse hundreds of Suez Canal (Suez Canal - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Canal).

Cities such as Cairo and Alexandria looked frenzy with a variety of motor vehicles, similar to Jakarta, but with less number of motors and of course congestion.

The long journey was punctuated with a variety of lunch and snack. Incidentally in Cairo there are several restaurants serving Indonesian cuisine. Before leaving, we are armed with a rice field. It feels so good when it's rice packets. Yes deh so, although five of us living together in the shoreline; two lectures at the university of Al Azhar, the other works in Copenhagen, Manama, and Cairo; but the tongue still refused to move to another flavor.

We arrived at the foot of Mount Sinai at about noon in the afternoon. We did choose a simple inn, not a five-star hotel. This is because we only planned to stay overnight at Sinai, and also given a limited budget.

The journey begins climbing Mount Sinai at around 2:30 in the morning. Though tired we remain very excited to begin the ascent with a route that is believed to be Moses' path.

We decided to walk away and reached the summit before sunrise. Really need a good stamina to reach the top of Sinai. In addition to the hiking trail is long and rocky, the smell of camel dung scattered everywhere. Sorry, the joke's aside, I mean, if lack of exercise must be tired and might be late to the peak.

Seen a lot of collection of people who are also trying to climb. Some are on foot, there is also a camel ride. Keep in mind, the camel can not climb even further at a certain height, so you must continue the journey by foot.

Armed with moonlight and a few flashlights we reached the peak at about 4 am. In the summer, the sun rises earlier and sets longer than during the winter.

At the top there is the orthodox church at that time filled the church to pray. There is also an old mushalla still well maintained. On the other side of the peak, seen Japanese tourists who sit around waiting for sunrise. You would know if the Japanese worshiped the sun, perhaps because they were climbing Mount Sinai. Some people perform dawn prayers. It was nice to see religious life that get along and respect each other.

The long-awaited moment arrives. Sunrise. Sun showcased its light on the sidelines of the mountain layer. Blue, purple, orange, orange .. wow so pretty. Beauty of God's creation.

Long journey tired quickly forgotten. It's all worth it. We had time to admire yourself look rocky path which we had been through. To foot mountain inn where we were was not visible at all.

We plan to come to St. Petersburg. Catherine monestary (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Catherine 's_Monastery, _Mount_Sinai) on the way back to the inn. But unfortunately not delivered. Monestary closed to visitors on that day.

We also briefly look at a piece of stone which is estimated as the place where the Israelites worshiped the golden calf. In other places there is also the tomb of the Prophet Aaron.

It's really amazing experience for us. The beauty of nature and time of the prophet stories, make us chuckle in awe. Maybe someday we'll be back. Who knows ...

Hopefully my story can draw you to also go climbing Mount Sinai.