OOT - I just had the urge to go to Egypt.

Steven_Q_Erkel · #1 09-25-2007, 07:35 PM

I'll be looking to arrive around mid march.

This is an impulse trip, I'm booking it tomorrow before I can change my mind.

If anyone has any ideas about what/who I should see/eat/meet I'd like to hear some suggestions.

Also, word on the street is that there's a coptic pope in Cairo and I would like to schedule an audience. How difficult will this be?

Edit: It's Pope Shenouda III

firstyearclay · #2 09-25-2007, 08:03 PM

I would go to Sharm El Sheikh. Supposed to be gorgeous that time of year.

Is March really impulse?

fyc

Steven_Q_Erkel · #3 09-25-2007, 08:48 PM

I think it wouldn't be impulse if I decided to go in March right now, but waited until then to buy the ticket...but because I'm buying the ticket right now it is impulse, even though I'm leaving in March.

Peter Harris · #4 09-25-2007, 08:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I would go to Sharm El Sheikh. Supposed to be gorgeous that time of year.

Is March really impulse?

fyc

[/ QUOTE ]

I hear the coral reefs at Sharm are bleaching out and dying horribly, partly due to the resorts pumping cement into the sea to extend out. Ugh.

dylan's alias · #5 09-25-2007, 09:07 PM

I'm not sure if weather will permit, but the best thing I did in Egypt was to go to Aswan and take a feluka (little rickety sailboat) trip up the Nile to Luxor. The side trip I didn't take, which I sorely regret was to Abu Simbel. It is out in the middle of nowhere. When I was there, we were told the road was out, and we would have to fly (which we didn't want to do). Apparently, the road is always "out", unless you are willing to pay extra to go. Egypt is definitely sketchy like that.

I was only there for a week, but that was plenty of time. My friends who only went for a day or two (we were living in Israel at the time) never left Cairo. They didn't like it at all (Cairo is a pretty dirty, loud city). Even the pyramids were a letdown for them. When I went, we left Cairo immediately and went south, then finished up at the pyramids, which was a much better plan.

bronx bomber · #6 09-25-2007, 09:47 PM

sharm el sheikh is a must if you are going to dive. I was there in 86 with the army. Skip Mt Sinai unless you want to see the Burning Bush (yes, that burning bush) at St Catherines monastery. See if you can hire a cabby by the day-much cheaper and they'll get you to some interesting spots. There was a casino in Cairo(had a dress code-no shorts). Hit the camel market, that was pretty wild. They had a light show at the pyramids at night where they made Sphinx talk at night explaining the valleys history-pretty cool. Cairo museum to check out the King Tut exhibit-that was awesome. Take a cruise on the Nile-not a touristy one, charter a boat at sunset-have them go by Sadats compound. Drink Stella beer just so you can say you did- it comes straight from the camels dick. Enjoy.

R*R · #7 09-25-2007, 10:01 PM

March is a very good time to go. I did the knapsack thing in Egypt 6 weeks and then across Suez canal for 6 weeks in Israel. If you have time I highly recommend Israel as well.
I am busy tonight but tommorrow I will try and give you more info on both.
Are you on a tour or going on your own?

boscoboy · #8 09-25-2007, 10:07 PM

enjoy[sic]one of these

citanul · #9 09-25-2007, 11:37 PM

travel forum ftw.

Soya · #10 09-26-2007, 01:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]

enjoy[sic]one of these

[/ QUOTE ]
That's the improved, privately produced Stella, which came out in the late 90s. Prior to that there was a state produced version, which used to say on the label 3.5 % alcohol +/- 2%! And even that was way off. You could drink two and be on the floor or drink five and be sober as a Quaker.