Anyone been to Egypt recently ?

[MichaelG]

Was wondering if anyone on the forum has been to Egypt in the past couple of years ?

 

We are heading there on holiday this year, going to Cyprus and a Mini Cruise to Egypt, but i am hearing more and more bad stories about the place and a little uncertain now.

 

One of my best mates has just come back from a week in Hurghada, Egypt. He had booked and paid for a weeks holiday in what was classed as a "4 Star" hotel with half board. When they got there they found the room to be a disgrace and after a lot of hassle were put into another room, a bit better. The hotel they had been told was 4 star however was more like a 2 Star in the UK, and he could only assume that Egyptian star ratings were substantially more than in the UK.

 

He said that everday, there wasnt an hour that passed without getting aggravation from people there, be it hotel staff, who would bring fresh towels etc and refuse to leave unless they got some sort of money, or cigarettes or anything really worth anything. They would knock on his rom door all the time, and if he didnt answer....use the master key to open the door (still on the chain at all times) and pop their heads through the gap asking if he wanted anything, and if he had any spare money. I mean this was the hotel staff !!

 

Upon leaving the hotel, he said you couldnt walk more than 100 yards before the locals were in your face and asking for money, trying to force you into their taxi to extract an extrtionate fare from you, or entice you into their shop where they would basically lock you in until you bought something. He said that on many an occasion, he had to basically barge or shove these guys out of the way as they would literally stand in front of him and refuse to move, asking for money and begging for anything worth a few pence or more.

 

Taxi drivers would charge 10 Egyptian Pounds for a fare, and when my mate handed over the £10 note, they would quickly swap notes and claim he only handed them a £1 note !! Every shop would basically try and shortchange you, or ask for more than the displayed price, and guys often in twos or threes would follow him and his girlfriend and hassle them so much for money or goods that he actually felt quite threatened a lot of the time.

 

He also said that the locals over there, especially the males, have a BIG problem with western women in particular. Apparently when they are trying to move animals such as cattle, camels, or donkeys etc, they make a noise similar to "sss-sss-sss-sss-sss-sss-sss" through their teeth.....and this basically means they think very little of the animal and try to agitate it to move etc. He said that on numerous occasions he would be walking along the road and guys between 7 and 80 years old would make this noise towards western females basically implying they thought they were dirt and not welcome. Very low opinion of westerners apaprently. Men and women.

 

All this i have heard before, but not to such a large scale, one of my other friends was in the more tourist area of Cairo, and went for a camel ride with his wife......they were led off towards the desert area with a group of 6 others, and the guide on the camel refused to take them back to the base unless they gave him £20 Egyptian Pounds per person !!! :thumbdown

 

I am told that Cairo is much more westernised though, and a lot more safer place and more civilised towards other human beings. But am not sure i want to go there now !!

 

Anyone have any good or bad experiences ? Its a beautiful country and has some of the biggest wonders of the world, i have wanted to see these for a lot of years.

 

Cheers in advance for any help.

 

Michael

[Pete]

I was thinking of going for a week in Nov too. Never tried it. Not sure I want to now!

[DaveRex]

a colleague of mine has just retruned from a Nile cruise with a visit to Cairo, he has nothing but good things to say about the place

 

He said that the markets all have the usual hassle but nothing major

[michael]

2 people from work have just got back and a mate of mine worked over there for a week or two recently as he's doing a GPS project for the government.

 

1 person was ill for the entire holiday so didn't have much feedback.

 

1 chap spent the week diving and seeing the sights, rates it as the best holiday he's ever had (and he's an old chap!)

 

My friend's office was raided by masked men with guns who stole all their computer equipment.

 

 

We also had a BBQ recently and an Egyptian chap was an absolute star at cooking the food so it's not all bad

 

 

A mixed bag I guess

[supRo]

Hi Michaeal,

I lived and worked in Egypt for 4 months.

Their star ratings is higher than UK. I would advise to stay in international hotels - Le Meridien, Sonnesta, Hilton, Marriott e.t.c. and you should't get hassled. Cairo is certainly not as bad as your description of Hurgada. The vendors are not like the Hurgada vendors at all...much the opposite - they'll get you a drink and you're free to leave on which if you do they lower prices!

The "sss-sss-sss-sss-sss-sss-sss" is not a derogatory thing as such!!

The Egyptians use it to simply call someone - Try it when you're calling out for someone in a crowd - you will look like a tw@t here but it works! I guess when the men do that to a western woman it's more like a bloke here whistling to a woman to catch their attention.

I think the opinion that they think low of westerners is not true at all - they are just trying to make a quick buck and absolutely fascinated by western woman.

If you meet the normal egyptians - not cabbies or vendors - they are amongst the nicest and most hospitable people in the world!

You need to make yourself look a bit mean - if you look vulnerable or too polite then the locals will be persistent.

Agree the price with the cabbies (before you get in)/vendors and hand them the money and count in their hand. If they say they want more, say a firm 'no' and leave. They'll accept that, cos they know they're trying to pull a fast one.

With alot of the arabian countries they do hassle women unfortunately.

 

Let me know if you need to know anything else Michael.

 

Ro

[Geezabloke]

I spent a while working in Cairo last year with some mates.

The Hotel was great and the staff would do anything if you was the kind to tip?

I must admit once outside the Hotel it can be intimidating at first, people actually pointed and stared at one point.

And you do get hassled for money, just ignore them.

There are no motor laws, and the horn is your best mate, you just drive what you want, where you want, when you want.

We saw dead horses on the side of the road, horse and carts on pavements.

The place feels very third world once in the thick of it.

But saying that you havnt lived until youve ridden a flea bitten, manky, mange riddled camel past the Sphinx and Pyramids of Geeza....

Its an adventure and im glad i did it, have many tales to tell but could write all night.

I dont know if it would have been as much fun with the Mrs though?....

Go for it and enjoy or say at least i tried it?

 

Dave

 

PS. The belly dancing trip on the Nile was a grin........

[supRo]

So overall - stick to good hotels and be streetwise and you'll have a fantastic time.

I went horse riding round the pyramids which was awesome!

 

Every evening there is a 'Sound and light' show at the pyramids - you have to go to that!

[supRo]

Cabs:

Two types (in Cairo anyway)

The regular black cabs. Usually a 60's or 70's Fiat. Cheap. No seatbelts can flag them down anywhere.

'Limosines' - No not the type we get here! Usually a modern saloon (Daewoo) and run by Avis, with air con and a proffesional, good english speaking driver. You get them from Hotels. More expensive but safer and pleasant.

[Ark]

I spent a weeks holiday in Sharm El Sheik last year - scuba divers mecca! Had no troubles at all. As someone previously said, if you look like a soft touch, or you start handing out tips, expect others to try to cash in on you. But hey, it's no different to here really - just the language and culture around you is unfamiliar, so it seems daunting.

 

Oh, and go by the hotel ratings of Thomas Cook or A.N.Other travel agent, because they know what ratings their guests expect, based on what the agent tells them. And since the exchange rate is so good, you might as well fork out for a top class hotel.

 

Lastly, don't drink the water from the tap, or ice. It's worth buying chilled, bottled water at the bar (unless you like the sight of your hotel bathroom!!!)

[MichaelG]

Thanks for the feedback guys, i guess i will just have to make up my own mind, cant wait to be honest. I dont mind a bit of haggling etc, just more worried about the bird and if they get a bit OTT with her......but am sure i will be fine.

 

Roll on September !!

[Supragal]

Not been, but my best mate is taking her mum there for her 60th b'day this summer