Egypt
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- Douglas
I won a trip to Egypt during a silent auction last Spring and have decided to book it in late November. It's only for 8days and unfortunately it's a bit of a tour package that includes all the main sites around Cairo + 3day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan... I figure I needed to see all that historical stuff while I was there anyhow.
I'm looking for more specific local recommendations from anyone who might live there or has been before. Or maybe something of a "best of" list (best falafel, etc).
Interesting parts of modern Cairo that are off the beaten path, restaurants/cafes, shops, art galleries, or other things design and culture related. Any info is welcome... thanks!
- kinetic0
i've heard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sha… is pretty wicked from an egyptian friend who travels there regularily
- wrong side for him unfortunately, Dahab and hour from here is a little nicer though not quite as built upKidswift
- I do wish I was going over to the nice Red Sea parts. Maybe I should extend the trip.Douglas
- If you can do, and go do your Padi diving in Dahab at Octopus diving super cheap and very goodKidswift
- Kidswift0
I have only been to Luxor and Dahab but while in luxor take a dawn hot air balloon across the valley of kings / queens then go out to some of the tombs off the beaten track def some of the fallen structures are amazing to walk around in by yourselves at dawn. Hire a driver and car and cruise the tombs it is cheap and gives you lots of flexibility to get away from the crowds, though it should be pretty quiet by then. Karnack though right in the centre is freaking amazing and make sure you get a good guide not one of the dubious ones that hang out there and seem to contradict all that is written in guide books. That's all I can impart... have a great time!
- "Cruise The Tombs" sounds like a metal band album name.mg33
- scarabin0
ohh, you fucking fucker. i've been wanting to go there all my life.
make sure to check what season the sandstorm season is. i know there are a few months during the year where it's just fucking plagued by storms
- Kidswift0
watch out for Jawas too those fuckers will steal anything not bolted down, esp any rouge droids....
- Douglas0
Thank you for the suggestions so far. I'm bumping this incase anyone is waking up in Egypt right now.
- Shaney0
went a couple of years ago, watch yourself when off the beaten track stay near crowds around main attractions especially pyramids & sphinx , unless you have ninja training. Great place though, gotta say pyramids were a bit of a let down, plenty of unofficial guide types around there and fleecing bastards with camels for that tourist photo
- quamb0
Went a few years back... can't remember details but loved it. Cairo is daunting. An epic sprawl all covered in grime.
some basic stuff:
* Explore Cairo on foot. Walkin to the market is a crazy adventure in itself. Some of the gun shops are soo bad ass. And some of the fashion, like sunglasses, are insane.
* Visit and explore the hyatt (or hilton? can't rememer) hotel on the Nile. It's pure opulence with massive marble halls and hidden james bond style gambling rooms.
* Get up at sunrise and go see the great pyramid by horseback. Also get a cab to take you out to the red pyramid.
* Try the nearby sheesha bars and dens. Good times.
/// bad stuff
* Careful of the kebabs. Had the worst food poisoning of my life there. Believe it can be camel as well. You'll actually need a bit of luck to find fresh food without spending $$. We ended up frequenting this felafel place just because it had salad.
* Don't wear shorts. Unless you want to be yelled at.
* If you're with a girl, be prepared to be rather 'protective', especially if going out at night. If someone is really pissing you off (likely to happen) - "emshee" basically means fuck off. Unfortunately useful.
- quamb0
re: shaney.
yeah it can get pretty dodgy.
got locked in a cab once in this messed up situation and had to bust out the window.
also a friend and I naively got scammed to drive with this dude into some ghetto... luckily got out of that one too -- and never figured out wtf the story was there.
- yep had a couple of dodgy situations myself. just be on guard - great place thoShaney
- Douglas0
Oddly enough, this all sounds pretty awesome. Kicking out windows, puking from the kababs, gunshops, telling people to "fuck off", pyramids on horseback or hot air ballon, james bond gambling, big sunglasses, AND JAWAS.... I'm getting excited.
Anything else? I wouldn't mind hearing some stories regarding scams and dodgy situations. Any specific things to avoid or "must sees"?
- satogami0
i wish safe journey. since Moses left with the family my cousins and I are not allowed back in... man i ll never get to see the pyramids that he built...
- p.s. Douglas...i gave you your 1000th profile view..satogami
- I gave you your 200th. Sorry to disappoint. Cheers! :)Douglas
- There is no restrictions on Israeli tourism in Egypt. It formed part of the unequivocal peace treaty Sadat signed in the 70sKhurram
- wow 200 i was only at 183 this morning!!! how is WillieB?? i miss it!!!satogami
- Oh yeah, well I gave Douglas his 1005 profile view AND a reach-around. So EMSHEE already.duckofrubber
- Israelis and Jews are allowed in Egypt, its the Palestinians that aren't allowed to return to their homes.MakeBelieve
- JerseyRaindog0
I did Luxor to Aswan back in 2001 (by accident but that's another story ) - on one of these packagey tour boat holidays. I loved it though, took my sketchbook, camera and a ton of books. Amazing place to visit. Be sure to visit Abu Simbel from Aswan if you can. That was my highlight. And just wandering Aswan and smoking in the cafes with the locals - they were very friendly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jer…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jer…
- Douglas0
^ great sketches and photos!! I remember seeing those in a past Egypt thread when filtering. I thought it might be time for a new one.
How long do you need to hit up Abu Simbel? I think my time in Aswan is limited, but it looks like something pretty amazing to check out.
- JerseyRaindog0
I paid a hundred quid for an early morning trip by plane - it's a 4 hour coach trip by desert otherwise. And we were only there for about an hour so it seemed expensive but I'm glad I did it. Take a stroll around Aswan if you get a chance though - amazing place.
- Douglas0
Just thought that I'd bump this for any last minute tips, or if anyone else to there and would like to meet up. I leave tomorrow.
- ernexbcn0
So it seems MUBARAK is going to resign today, awesome.
- Douglas0
after only 17days of peaceful protest? i expected more from him.
- It's surprising how quickly you can tracelessly transfer $10bn into offshore accounts, with the right account mgrs and NY Banks.mikotondria3
- scarabin0
nobody's talking about mubarak not stepping down???
- Tomorrow in Egypt could be very messyrybration
- seriously...!?kingsteven
- aw, jeez. disappointing.kingsteven
- tonight is going to be very messyscarabin
- if the army force the people off the street there will be carnagerybration
- mikotondria30
very nervous right now - I had hopes at the start of his speech, it seemed as gracious as someone who had stolen billions from people for the last 30 years could be...
Then....loads of flannel, and he fucks off...mm...not really your call at this point, is it Hosni ?
Sociopathic not to have 'got it' by now, but he's been living a fantasy for the last 30 years, so no one really matters to him, do they ?