[Georgina]

My friend and I just looked at a one bed apartment in Downtown El Gouna which has just come on the market and needs a quick sale. I insisted on going with my friend because I didn't have a lot of confidence it would be right for her. Anyhow, we were pleasantly surprised. It was so charming. It is on the first floor and had views across the lagoon to the Arena Inn and onto the mountains from the outside terrace. The floors were wooden and the charm was all the arches, domed and vaulted ceilings which then led out to the terrace. The kitchen was the tiniest I have ever seen and the bathroom needed updating but the whole feel to the apartment was Nubian style, bright and airy with big palm trees outside. The price is 40,000 sterling. Most of the ground floor apartments in this area are not so nice as they have nothing to look out on and you have to take care not to be too near the music coming from places like Palma Karaoke Bar. Some of the buildings are looking a bit run down too here.

My friend is very excited. She bought in the marina about 8 years ago and sold and is now looking to reinvest.