“My biggest wish is for the city to be rebuilt again and I can come back to live here,” says Haj Muhammed, one of the former residents in Umm Al Huwaytat. “Even though it is now left completely destroyed and abandoned, I still come here to bring back old memories.” Walking around broken and dilapidated houses, the air we breathed carried a weight of emotions; of sadness, laughter, passions, thoughts, memories, and existence. The mountains rewarded us with sunsets of extraordinary blues and pinks; rekindling the spirit in our hearts and making us gasp at the splendour. Taking us on a journey to an unknown and hidden past, Haj Muhammed spoke of the history of the city of Umm Al Huwaytat – now known as the Ghost City – and Safaga, which is located south of Hurghada and was a merchant port for many years, and is famous for its scuba diving activities and therapeutic presence. “The second you step into the city, you are completely engulfed by the place, and you no longer remember where you came from or where you should go. It is known to be one…
