PJ Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Off to Egypt for two weeks on Thursday, will be staying in Sharm El Sheik with a trip planned up to Cairo to see the Pyramids etc.. Anyone been there recently and wish to share their experiences etc? Any major do's and dont's, hints and tips etc would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 (sorry that wasn't very helpful) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Try and eat a fresh yoghurt every day. It hepls prevent the dreaded Pharoes followthrough....... Take a trip up the river as well if you can, Luxor is nice... Remember Egypt has the second largest contingent of fundamentalist muslims, so if you have a lady with you it is an idea to try and respect the dress code when in public areas, i.e. no cleavage, short skirts, tight shorts etc... Your lady can wear what she likes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 Hahah, cheers for the dress tips Andrew, that is the sort of thing I was thinking of, been out shopping already to find the missus some nice light and airy stuff that she can use to cover up when required. Luxor is a great idea. Think they sort out a 2/3 day trip to Cairo at the resort we are staying at, will see if we can get there as well whilst we are up that way. What about money etc? Any guidelines to costs on eating out and other such things. We are going to be staying at a 4* all inclusive place anyway, but expect we will be eating out most evenings. Been advised strangley enough to take cash and not rely on the cards too much, not too keen on taking wads of cash, but room has a safe in it so not too much of a hassle I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VELOCITY Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 My mate went to Egypt last year and said it was dirt cheap, he was eating out in nice places and having 3 course meals for about a tenner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markssupra Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Done a Nile cruise last year from Luxor to Aswan and back, stopping at every temple along the way. Really great holiday but beware of the shop keepers as they pressure you to buy from them, especially if you go to see the pyramids, you will be herded past the gift shops and no means of escape. Egyptions will also expect a tip for everything, even taking a photo of you and the missus, and be prepared to pay for toilet paper at Giza. Drink plenty of bottled water as it is really hot, we went last August and it was 50°. Hot but not humid like we get here. Enjoy it, its a fantastic place to visit as long as your sensible. Most of the people we met were very nice, especially the tour guides. You will also see a lot of Tourist police with machine guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markssupra Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Hahah, cheers for the dress tips Andrew, that is the sort of thing I was thinking of, been out shopping already to find the missus some nice light and airy stuff that she can use to cover up when required. Luxor is a great idea. Think they sort out a 2/3 day trip to Cairo at the resort we are staying at, will see if we can get there as well whilst we are up that way. What about money etc? Any guidelines to costs on eating out and other such things. We are going to be staying at a 4* all inclusive place anyway, but expect we will be eating out most evenings. Been advised strangley enough to take cash and not rely on the cards too much, not too keen on taking wads of cash, but room has a safe in it so not too much of a hassle I suppose. Luxor is about 600 miles from Cairo, might be a bit pushed to get there. We never saw the pyramids on that trip, but plan to go back to Egypt some time to see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Prawn Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Don't stay in the sun to long. Don't eat the local ice cream Don't drink water from the tap or have ice in drinks Do keep well hydrated Do go snorkelling Do spend as much time as you can in the Cairo museum, get ther very early and pre-buy your tickets. DO go inside the great pyramid (it's an amazing experience) and take a drink with you as it is very hot and a long way, also some very tight corridors so if slightly claustrophobic don't go Do use insect repellent esp in the evening Do enjoy yourself Hope that helps:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 DO go inside the great pyramid Agreed, it may well be your last chance (they're stopping tourists going into the pyramids soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Don't get cursed. Have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Agreed, it may well be your last chance (they're stopping tourists going into the pyramids soon What a shame, that's crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 Cheers guys, great stuff so far which has basically confirmed a lot of what I have been told already as well as a few new bits of info. I'm really looking forward to the marine life, time to do a PADI refresher and head off into the deep blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben-san Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 PJ, I've done a lot of work for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on these kind of situations. Have a look here for some essential info: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618385875 Enjoy yourself mate. One of my favourite regions in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 Thanks for the link Ben, appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreesSZ Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 in the markets all the stuff is priced about 400% above its value. Haggle like a bastard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitesupraboy2 Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 dont shout bomb............. my work here is done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absz Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Off to Egypt for two weeks on Thursday, will be staying in Sharm El Sheik with a trip planned up to Cairo to see the Pyramids etc.. Anyone been there recently and wish to share their experiences etc? Any major do's and dont's, hints and tips etc would be greatly appreciated. i went to sharm el sheikh few months back. had a great time also done a day trip to see the pyramids, no major issues apart from drinking water. do not use tap water even when brushing teeth. and keep away from the camel riding people as they just try to rip you off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 don't steal a mummy and try to wake it from the dead sorry im just jelouse as i want to go, but the girlfriend wont EVER fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 dont piddle in the tombs! also buy a disenfecting handcream of some sort. Locals store their money down there underwear, handleing money can be well ill let you work it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivingTheDream Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Quadbiking in the desert is good fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkm Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 hi had a week in the 5*dreams beach resort about a month ago,stunning ,very,very hot 44-46 degrees,fantastic place,friendly people,just be careful if you eat any rice,if its not cooked & served hot,it can make you very ill(as the wife found out)3 days of sickness & squirts,other than that superb, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godmutha Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Hi, I went to Egypt about 2 months ago. Stayed in Sharm also and it was fantastic!! I too suggest to go snorkelling, it is a completely different world. There are day trips for this available for about 30£ and you get a guide and lunch on the boat. Cairo is also a must see, I flew to Cairo which is a much better way of travelling. You can book this trip at your "welcome meeting" and i paid 130£ for all in, entrance to everythin execpt the great pyramid which was about 4£. The street sellers in Cairo are irritating, especially when they get their cute faced children to sell to you, but a firm "no thanks" suffices for most (and then walk away else they will hound you). Remember to put sun cream in your bag everywhere you go, especially on the beaches in Sharm, as the warm wind tends to burn more than the actual sun. As for eating out, I wouldnt advise it in Cairo (just incase), but if its part of the trip it should be ok. Dont have ice in your drinks as i think this made me bad while i was there, i didnt even think about the ice. Sharm is lovely, if you go shopping, go to the Old Market as apposed to Sharm town, its around 75% cheaper. Prices are cheap, beer - £2 in hotels, £1-50 in Sharm, Meals around £15-£20 for 3 courses for two, Cigs are £1.50 for 20. Security guards are at the entrances to Sharm town, dont let them worry you, they are there for your safety and are very pleasant people. If you want a nice restaraunt - Hard Rock Cafe in Sharm Town, and for clubbing there is Pacha. To work out money easily just think 10EGY to 1£. Tipping is essential to EVERYONE, i tipped ppl 5 EGY usually which is only 50p, then at the end or occasionally during my stay, made it upto 20EGY. I hope this helps and i didnt wail on too much. If you need anythin specific, let me know. Have a fab time. xx EDIT - oh and watch the crazy taxis. They are the worst drivers ever, and cars dont tend to stop when you cross the roads. If you do get a taxi, get the price first. Ask your hotel reception how much it should be for a guide. Which company are you going with by the way? And which hotel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 All booked up through Thomson and we are staying at the Tropicana Grand Oasis all inclusive. Info on tipping is handy as thats one thing I always wonder about, always think that I'm either tipping too much or too little. Snokeling/Diving is a must for me, been a while since I last went diving probably down to the fact that the last time I went was in the Maldives and after that I just can't face UK diving. Will do a refresher and then book myself in on a few excursions, my GF hasn't been diving before so will let her have a trial lesson and if she likes it will book her in on a PADI open water course which I can probably tag along with too. Getting excited now. Cheers for all the great replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supRo Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Try and eat a fresh yoghurt every day. It hepls prevent the dreaded Pharoes followthrough....... Take a trip up the river as well if you can, Luxor is nice... Remember Egypt has the second largest contingent of fundamentalist muslims, so if you have a lady with you it is an idea to try and respect the dress code when in public areas, i.e. no cleavage, short skirts, tight shorts etc... Your lady can wear what she likes.... lol! I used to work in Egypt. Went to the museum in Cairo and there was a rather lovely russian chick - She was wearing shorts so tight and short, you could see her cheeks! The local men appreciated it and weren't complaining at all! Try and see the 'Sound and Light' show that's on every evening at the Giza pyramids. It's basically a light and lazer show and narration on the pyramids - very cool! Yes, watch out for the taxis. The Black taxis are the worst. The yellow ones are slightly better. It's worth forking out for a 'limousine' which is basically a modern air-con saloon, usually run by Avis at most hotels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mk47 Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 my gf has been here before - and one thing to be warned about the locals (shop keepers/taxi drivers) will always try and rip you off when they see your a tourist. if your buying always barter with them as they take tourists as easy targets for a quick raise. and also check the taxi fares before you move as previously mentioned. food there is pretty cheap. over there the men are all perverts so its advised that in the evenings that your mrs covers up otherwise youl get all sorts of nasty men eyeing her up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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