They hadn't moved anything the week before Christmas.
It's moving next to the pyramids isn't it?
He who dares: Egypt holiday
- Thread starter RedvGreen
- Start date
It's moving next to the pyramids isn't it?
After reading this thread, I did a bit of googling, seen trip advisor, threads on reddit etc. The opinions seem to vary greatly, some people even saying it was the best holiday they've been on! I guess it depends on your tolerance levels and what you deem acceptable from a holiday.
Soldato
Ive felt more hassle in places like Kolkata where I told thus guy to **** off as he kept following me trying to sell taxi services / trips and wouldn’t go away despite politely saying no thanks many times. I guess it really depends on what sort of traveller you are, some people have very little experience of anything except resorts or European cities and then go to a place like Egypt and are horrified.
It will depend a lot on where you go and under what conditions - stick to the beaten tourist paths and you'll likely run into little more than the old camel scams and a bit of light begging for tips, go off more on your own opens up a whole range of possibilities.
A lot of it stems from what you are used to, as you say.
I've spent a great deal of time in India and various indian-influenced areas, and culturally they are so alien to British values of decency and respect; blunt, hostile, persistent and aggressive are the order of the day, and it's totally normal.
A lot of it is people who are like "oh I'm sure it's fine" and ignore all advice...
Soldato
I was careful, but I have never had gut issues like it in my life. Ruined my holiday.
Just need to be mindful that water (ice cubes, mineral water, bottled water etc) is regional and will come with its own plethora of microbes which your gut fauna will not have a clue what to do with, so ejects it from the body.
People with IBS can find that temperature variations or more exertion than you are used to can cause quick emptying of the bowels too.
Other things like sanitising your hands very regularly will do you well too. Short of that, hygeine standards vary vastly depending on where you go. Arabic and African cultures often have strange toilet habits involving bidets, or hose pipes - with no paper, just their left hand...
People with IBS can find that temperature variations or more exertion than you are used to can cause quick emptying of the bowels too.
Other things like sanitising your hands very regularly will do you well too. Short of that, hygeine standards vary vastly depending on where you go. Arabic and African cultures often have strange toilet habits involving bidets, or hose pipes - with no paper, just their left hand...
Man of Honour
All I can say is that was your fault.
I've been for a total of 7 weeks and not one problem or with my family.
You never ever put your fingers near your mouth unless you wash or gel.
Agreed with this, but then realize that it's warning you to be sensible, not that you shouldn't travel to tourist locations.
Egypt has been "unsafe" for decades. We went for the first time in 2003 and had escorts everywhere for example. The overall map has not changed much since then either (except for a few short periods of actual unrest), the western Desert and most of the Sinai have been recommended against for most of the last 20 years. The Egyptians have always been super paranoid about tourists and will ensure you are as safe a they possibly can (everything from armed guards, metal detectors, secured locations at tourist spots and armed escorts).
Go see the Pyramids, and go in one if they have it open. Luxor is great as are the Valley of the Kings. As mentioned above just be cautious of bacteria as that will be what affects your holiday the most, along with the hustlers (but just ignore them and they usually ignore you pretty quickly).
EDIT: I'd agree with most of the people that have actually been there, it's a bit of a dump and I wouldn't go "just because". Go to see the sights, not because you want to wander around the towns shopping (for example). One other option would be a a boat cruise down the Nile. Most of the places you'll want to visit are on the Nile so you get to see most of the best spots, while enjoying the peace of the nile itself.
Man of Honour
The last time I went in 2010 the only place we had escorts was Abu Simbel because it was a 4 hour drive across the desert.
Everywhere else we didn't need an escort.
We even went to the Red Pyramid where we were the only two there beside our Guide.
I think that's the biggest thing. "inexperienced" tourists thinking Egypt is going to be an extension of Western Europe or sanitized version of the Yucatan peninsular/Caribbean island, rather than a developing country in Africa with all the "problems" you see in most African and Asian countries.
This is true but it's also been a tourist hot spot for the west for decades so you'd think they would be somewhat use to western cultures.
Associate
Just spent two weeks in Hurghada, we just wanted a drop and flop winter break in the sun, we didn't venture too far from our hotel and didn't encounter anything untoward, as much as we loved snorkelling in what was stunningly clear water oh and the 25 degrees mid December absolutely worked for us but we wouldn't go back, it's not safe it carries the illusion of safety, as someone above mentioned their partner and mine is blonde,blue eyed also and drew quite a bit of attention albeit not as much as when we travelled to Gambia.
Caporegime
Spot on, you interpreted my post far better than I'd written it!
My partner and I nearly went to Hurghada last September, we didn't go in the end, ended up having a fantastic time in Ios, Greece, but the only thing that put me off Hurghada was the trip advisor reviews - not one of which mentioned safety nor security - of the hotel we wanted, security just wasn't an issue in all honesty, had I checked the FCO website I may have felt different, but ultimately I didn't and it didn't really enter my head as a consideration.
Had I done so, like the OP, and read advice of to steer clear, I'd have thought differently I think, irrational as it actually is.
Were British tourists having issues in places such as Egypt it would be all over the media, it isn't, which in risk assesment should be put up there with the chances of being killed in an RTA on the way to a U.K. airport which are probably far higher than being affected by a terrorist act in Egypt!*
* The above may or may not make sense, I've had a few!
Soldato
I'm not sure why the money etc. is so dirty. I took care, but sadly it still got me.
I have no desire to ever return. Explosive diarrhea aside, the people left a negative lasting impression.
They broadly are. I think the issue lies the other way round. Europeans see Egypt as said decades old tourist hotspot and assume it’s modified itself to suit European tastes.
While resorts usually have, the rest of Egypt has not. It is what it is.
Man of Honour
I was taught a Jedi trick by our Guide, just face your palm at them and say "Lah" and they bugger off - it worked.
I think it means no in Arabic.
They do seem to respond better to even the smallest amount of Arabic.