The small Red Sea port of Aqaba is unique and beautiful in a very special way. Encircled by rugged purple mountains that subtly change in mood and color as the day unfolds. On the beaches visitors soak up the sun before cooling off in the refreshingly cool waters. It is the secrets these waters hold that makes Aqaba unique, for further down the coast are some of the most spectacular coral reefs to be found anywhere in the world. Often over many hundreds of meters wide, the reef is made up of many delicately hued corals among which live a myriad of brilliantly coloured fish. The Fortress, now a museum, was originally a Crusader Castle. It was extensively rebuilt by the Mamelukes in the 14th Century. A stroll around the modern town will reveal the presence of some excellent fish restaurants and craftsmen are to be found at work filling small bottles with coloured sand in intricate geometric designs.