Just to say hi and I do pop on here sometimes. Hope all is well with my buddies. Linda
Just to say hi and I do pop on here sometimes. Hope all is well with my buddies. Linda
Member since:08.10.2003
Reviews:144
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Baksheesh, Baksheesh, he called as his grubby hand came towards me, I was not being threatened just the normal request in Egypt if anyone does anything for you.
After avoiding all the bag carriers at Luxorairport a simple thing like lifting our cases onto the coach, something we take for granted in England, and it cost a pound, Egyptian of course, and it should not have been that much but that’s the smallest denomination we had at the time, Lesson one, make sure you know what you are going to pay for, probably anything that a stranger does for you. And you have small change to pay it. Not that I’m tight with money, but when it’s all new we like to be careful.
I am not going to give a history lesson, just my thoughts and feelings of this wonderful land and some FREE tips, No baksheesh for me! Visit the doctor or the pharmacist a good few months before, Boots pharmacist gave me the information I needed for the vaccinations. They have an up to date book, saves time at the doctors. Quite a few injections depending on what is around at the time. You must have a visa.
So the land of mystery and dreams greeted us, a dirty airport arrival lounge, buzzing. It was not the same as Gatwick about 50 times worse. Our camcorder had to be registered into the country, at the airport, this did not take long, we thought perhaps many people did not know about this, but there is a possibility that it could be taken off you as you leave the country, if it is not registered, we were taking no chances.
A warm welcome on our Nile boat, our cabins were small, neat and clean. The reception was comfortable and pleasant. We went just after 9/11 and just fell into the 6 weeks non cancellation period, so we took the chance. Everyone said we were mad! I was a little worried but on the other hand terrorist strike everywhere and I think we cannot live our lives worrying where it will be next, we would never do anything.
The guides told us not to leave the boat that evening as they felt we needed to acclimatise to the country. It was for security. When we arrived back at Luxor after the cruise we were allowed off and I could understand why they were concerned about our safety as Westerners in Egypt it is a culture shock and for first timers you do need to learn the rules. Egypt need their
tourist’s it is their money for survival, the security was brilliant, and the best I have ever seen although some of the weapons were in need of repair.
The Aton – Nile Cruiser The crew was fantastic. It worked out at least one crew member per holiday maker. Our man never failed to amaze me with his wonderful skills with towel folding, Day after day there was a little treat on the bed, rose petals, a towel tied up to look like my husband with a cigarette in it’s mouth. It was all good fun. The boat had a small swimming pool on the top deck; there was only one child on board, not a holiday recommended for children. On one side of the Nile is lush green, little houses, camels and fishermen trying to catch their food, the other side a complete comparison of yellow sand and barren land. It was incredible.
At the end of the holiday I left all my cosmetics, shampoo, conditioner, body lotions, nail varnish remover, wipes, for him as they are so hard to get in Egypt and I knew he was going back to his wife and family when we left, as the boat was closing down due to cancellations after 9/11. I think she would have been very pleased to receive them; we take so much for granted in Britain. We also left him money. The Egyptologist also received about a £20 English pound tip as well, £10 each, you are asked for this so make sure you save some money otherwise you’ll look mean. We did think this was a cheek and we handed him an envelope with a ten pound note. He was probably the one person who had more money than anyone else.
We went in October; it was hot and dusty, very hot. The first day we went to the Valley of the Kings. This is located on the mountain side behind Thebes. It was arid, yellow and reminded me of powder paint. Remote and apart from female tourist’s it was full of men.
Some of the tombs were wonderful; We went to Tutankhamen’s tomb. It is suffice to say I personally was disappointed with this one. We build up such pictures in our mind. My ever, over active mind had vision’s of Howard Carter and his crew, it must have been terribly hard and hot work, especially when we see the clothes they wore! We also had to pay an extra entrance fee for this tomb. The toilets were like a portacabin, men sat on the steps; I noticed the gap under the doors of the toilets and thought Oh My God! The men’s heads were at eye level with the women’s feet and legs. I declined, it was so hot anyway that my body was rapidly dehydrating.
We went to The Valley of the Queens it was so open, the land is so barren. This was another incredible experience. Good planning means the tours are very early morning so before that mid day sun eats into you, you are whisked away.
Toilets After that we went to a shop, where the Egyptologists obviously earns commission, we were served drinks and there was a toilet. A young boy stood outside with paper, this is normal in Egypt even in some of the hotels, one sheet, yes folks, one sheet of paper for baksheesh of course (a tip) I always took my own and waved them away. This toilet must have been the smelliest, dirtiest, toilet I have used in my life. The smell as I opened the door, it just squeezed the breath out of me. Just writing this, I have my hand over my mouth! I can laugh now. If there are a row of toilets the men or man is inside hovering somewhere. I took antiseptic hand wash this was invaluable. The one you just squeeze on your hand and rub in without washing, yes I also had antiseptic hand wipes, and my handbag was full.
Security Talking about handbags, heavens know what the guards thought of mine with all those wipes and things. We were searched everywhere we went. The machines bleeped with anything metal, my husband had his lighter in his pocket, he bleeped, out came the contents of his pockets. The security was absolutely brilliant and from the soldiers point of view I don’t think they would hesitate to point a gun at you or shoot if there was an attack. Mind you some of the guns were stuck up with tape. I did wonder whether they worked or how they would fire at times. Although I dislike guns, as a guest in this country it added to my security.
On the way home the airport was brilliant, we hauled our luggage off the coach and then queued up OUTSIDE the airport to go through security checks, once inside we then had another security check. It was incredible and made us feel very safe.
We were not told but we saw two security guards on our boat with their guns, another sense of security for us.
Food The food on the boat was excellent; I had taken my oatcake crackers with me and ate this instead of bread. Only eat fruit or vegetables without the peel, cooked food, bottled water and definitely no ice. The water is lethal. People were ill, very ill, but the doctor is available to give jabs for food poisoning at a price of course. I took Imodium and Dio -calm with me. My husband was very ill and the Dio- calm worked for him slowly, the Imodium was useless. I was okay just a bit upset but then I am very aware of my food. I was probably aware even more after I saw the first toilets! The toilets in the cabin and on the boat were okay. We did not have to dress up for evening meal but everyone looked respectable.
In the towns the eating places looked awful and I knew I would never, ever eat from places like those. The hygiene looked horrendous from the outside. The markets were funny, the traders knew what boats had docked and always asked what boat you were from, and they always had a brother, uncle or another member of family on your boat! It’s all money, money and money while they give you little tasters of drinks.
Money You can get Egyptian money from your travel agent but it must be ordered, I managed to get £140 locally. At Gatwick they exchange as well. The money stinks! It is so dirty and smelly. After handling money out come the antiseptic wipes. I sound like I have a phobia! The Egyptian Government does not allow you to take money out of the country, so be careful at the end of the holiday otherwise you’ll be buying a lot of goods in the airport departure lounge. Lounge? Well I’ll leave that one to your imagination. Just take your toilet roll.
Roads I don’t drive but would advise you not to hire a car. My experience was kamikaze drivers, they all drive so fast and all the cars seem the same. Just crossing a road was an experience in itself, I survived.
The itinerary was full and I don’t want to give this as any travel brochure will offer you a choice of where to go. There was plenty of time to rest.
I shall tell you about one of my life’s ambitions, my brother has been to Egypt many times he has a photo of a wonderful place, every time I saw this picture I felt a warm glow inside me. The day I walked through this picture in real life was the most wonderful uplifting experience I have ever had. I had tears running down my face in sheer pleasure, and it was not crowded so I walked up and down as if devouring some weird and wonderful atmosphere, it was just incredible. The Luxor Temple of Amon it is joined to the Temple of Karnak by a long avenue of sphinxes of rams head’s. Don’t ask me why but it was truly the most wonderful experience of my life. I kept thinking I am here at last. There! It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it!
My memories are many like the Nubian night on the boat when they had me up front trying to dance a Nubian dance and this half dressed man was pretending to whip us if we did it wrong. It was so funny. I have the memory and experience of going inside a huge mosque, so I can now share with the Muslim children in my class and recognize their religion more fully.
My last day, a Monday when I should have started back to school in England and thought of the children as I rode around a Nubian village on a camel. Bread was laid out on the floor to rise in the sun, this was outside the houses, and flies were all over them. There was a little girl of two or three just sitting feet away from my camel hoofs, by a tiny pool of water, just watching us ride by. There was an old man sitting outside a house with flies on his face who looked as if he was blind. The simple structure of the houses, all open with dirt floors. The colour television, yes, I said, the colour television! One house had one. Incredible poverty and technology just did not match.
The two boys, as I got on a coach who asked me for pens, always take pens to give to the children. I had none so they asked for sweets, I had none. So they asked for a kiss on their snotty, cheeky, little faces, I kissed my hand and blew it to them, they whooped and laughed all the way down the road.
When I went back to work my friend and I had a conversation. “Come on, what were the pyramids like?” I replied “I didn’t see any” “Oh! How could you go to Egypt and not see the pyramids?” I explained I went from Luxor to Abu Simbel (The Temple of Ramses 11) Well, yes you can. Cairo will be my next port of call. I have so many memories of this incredible country, far too many to mention here but they say if you taste the water of the Nile you will always go back. I did not taste the water, I probably wouldn’t be alive! Seriously it is a wonderful, wonderful experience, Women just cover your body and everyone be respectful to their culture and enjoy the magic of Egypt.
We paid £700 for one week each with Cosmos Tours, it was expensive and can be found cheaper, we had no complaints what so ever. Cosmos was wonderful, ensuring our safety all way. The Crew was brilliant and the Egyptian men were fine, cannot say about the Egyptian women, I never met any!
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What a wonderful experience and so interesting to read. Such good tips too. I could feel this place so it really deserves the E rating. Don't think I will go though, have always wanted to but if the jabs didn't put me off then the toilets would. Now will have to go and read more of yours, very descriptive.:o) Sue
gardenguru1 28.06.2004 09:43
I rated this "E" because you included so many important traveller tips into your review. Anyone planning a trip to Egypt would be well prepared after reading this review. Congrats on the diamond. Nancy
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Advantages: Absolute Luxury, all-inclusive, spectacular trips, great food, sun Disadvantages: Early trip-starts, too much drink, too much great food, too much sun
billybunter85 28.10.2006 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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