First time traveller to Egypt.

GlynD

Don't drink the water.
Don't take ice.
Don't brush your teeth in tap water.
Don't eat salads.
Bring plenty of immodium tablets.

There's nothing wrong with their water but it has mineral content that our stomachs aren't used to. Most people succumb sooner or later.

Watch out for people using the magic word "baksheesh". It means they want money. There's often no reason for it, other than begging. Keep a roll of Egyptian pound notes in your pocket (worth about 15p each) to dispense to those you do want to give to. Every service outside the hotel will require baksheesh.

Learn some basic Arabic words:

Salaam o Aleekum (hello)
Aleekum salaam (and hello to you too)
Emshi - very important word this. Use it against people who are bothering you, begging and such like. It means p1ss off! Use an expansive gesture when you say it, pointing in the general direction of where you want them to p1ss off to.

GlynD

Another thing: pack a first aid box with lots of plasters, lotions and anything else you think you may need. Egyptian chemists are a nightmare and often filthy. Immodium or similar is essential.

GlynD

If you're travelling to Luxor do not be put off by the scruffy so-called "tourist police" with their AK47 assault rifles. They are there to protect you.

Don't go to the bazaar without your guide. You'll be hounded, and I mean HOUNDED, to buy things. "Emshi" doesn't work with the most determined of hawkers, they'll just laugh at you. Your guide can speak Arabic and will tell them in no uncertain terms to Bog off!

Watch out for old men handing you gifts of small trinkets or pieces of stone. All they want is baksheesh. You'll think they want to shake hands but they will press something into your hand and then demand money for it.

Dans_Girl

Thanks for the replies!

Thank you all so much the advice, we'd heard a lot about drinking the water, tummy troubles and the such! I'll make sure we take heed of the advice and stock up on anti bacterial gel before we go.

Thank you Zoetoes, we've looked into the excursions and really fancied the quad biking one as my boyf is a biker. We've just looked at the Sharm Excursions website, so thanks for the tip!

Can't wait to go now... so excited! :j

Thanks again,

Bec

s_b

never been
but i always pack a nice soft andrex these days when going abroad

Zoetoes

s_b wrote: »

never been
but i always pack a nice soft andrex these days when going abroad

This is actually a good point! Take some tissue or something in your bag if you go out.

When we went for lunch on the Nile the toilets didn't have toilet paper, just like a shower head thing behind the loo but when I'd washed my hands there was a woman standing there giving me some toilet paper to dry them!

GlynD

Zoetoes wrote: »

This is actually a good point! Take some tissue or something in your bag if you go out.

When we went for lunch on the Nile the toilets didn't have toilet paper, just like a shower head thing behind the loo but when I'd washed my hands there was a woman standing there giving me some toilet paper to dry them!

Kitchen roll in our case. E£1 per sheet.

trrk

Carry toilet paper/tissues etc but if you see the shower head /hose use it - it is much better than toilet paper! I wish they had this everywhere.

If you get sick don't take immodium! It is the worst thing as it just blocks you up and keeps all the bad bacteria (or whatever) inside and you will probably feel unwell for much longer. If you have a stomach problem that needs medication it is better to take antibiotics that will kill the bacteria - I've found azithromycin to be good (of course it's best to get a doctor to prescribe something rather than self-medicating but lets face it self medicating is a lot easier!).

If you want to buy stuff in the bazaars don't take your guide with you! They will probably get a commision from every purchase you make.

Don't feel obliged to hand out backsheeh to everyone that asks as this just encourages begging. Only give it if the person carries out some service.

daveyjp

It will be VERY hot - I'd stay in the shade between 10am and 4pm for the first few days. 30 minutes at this time of year is enough to have you burning, even with factor 50.

If you need a taxi find out from your rep how much it should cost to your hotel and go to the rank in Sharm when it is busy. Go when it is quiet and you'll spend ages haggling a cost. When it's busy the next in line wants a fare so they don't mess about.

Drink water constantly.

Whilst the air is warm, the Red Sea may not be especially if you are near the reef which goes straight to very deep water. It's so deep the sea doesn't warm up like the Med.

Buy a snorkel and mask from one of the dive shops - you'll get a good set for reasonable money.

skizz_b

I went to Sharm el Sheikh last year, had a cracking time but here’s my advice.

1. I went for two weeks and despite having an iron stomach normally got a bad case of the Pharaoh’s revenge. I believe this was down to too much sun rather than the food, and Imodium was absolutely useless and only made it worse. Our hotel had a Pharmacy on site and for £7 he sorted me out with tablets for stomach cramps, sickness and the runs. This got rid of it within a day or so and I think this is the only true way to solve the problem.

2. Definitely recommend the quadbiking excursion, we did ours with Thomson for convenience and also flew to Cairo which was well worth the money as well. In Sharm you can find your way around Na’ama Bay without the need to pay for the excursion, was about £6 each way for us in a taxi. A good night out but prepare to get a bit of hassle.

3. We took a can of jungle spray and got through this between us in 11 days, only got a small bite and my OH didn’t get any so good stuff. They do spray for mozzies as well which helps. Also recommend the hand gel.

4. If your hotel has its own beach or you are planning to see the coral, get your snorkels before you go as our hotel charged ridiculous rates for them – got a Speedo set for a tenner over here and I haggled the guy in the shop down to £15 for the OH’s! If you want to walk over the shallow coral you will also need to buy soft coral shoes to stop your feet getting cup and the coral getting mashed (literally).

5. Drink plenty of water, I drank at least four litres per day and still ended up losing 3lb’s while I was out there, dehydration is the number one cause of illness out there so get the Factor 50 on and drink drink drink! And remember, alcohol isn’t rehydrating, it has the opposite effect