Er-Raha, Sinai (photo: Joao Pedro Pio) Sinai has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is a tough environment that breeds a tough resilient people. Culturally it is unique; biologically it is fascinating; and the landscape has inspired writers and pilgrims for centuries. Truly an environment worth sustaining into the future. Because of the political situation in Egypt, unfortunately we are currently unable to send students to work in South Sinai, and our research there has effectively ended. The main reason for this is the Foreign Office advice that St Katherine is unsafe, invalidating the University's insurance. This advice is not actually true, but it seems to be impossible to get them to change their mind. Reasons to work in South Sinai Science in South Sinai Conservation and the Bedu