20 replies to this topic

[Rumblebee]

Hi everyone,

I've been looking at options for my Mar 7 - 15th vacation, when I want to get my AOW + Nitrox certs.
I think I've pretty much decided that for the money, a place called Red Sea Relax Resort in Dahab, Eqypt is the way to go.

That's pretty cheap for an experience like this. From Chicago, I have layovers in Washington, D.C., and Rome, Italy on the Way there and Rome and Copenhagen on the way back.

The resort offers boat diving, PADI courses, camel dive safaris and interactions with the bedouin. I won't be able to book this until I get my bonus check around the 10th, but I am 99% certain that this is the trip I want to take. 100% if I can find someone to come with me. (Plan B is Dominica.)

Of course, I don't think anyone I know will want to come with me. They're all so boring!! You guys are not.

Any takers?

--Peter aka grouper

Hi Peter aka grouper,

I recently saw a video of diving the Canyon and the Blue Hole in Dahab posted to a friend's Facebook profile and had to add this to my 'Must Dive' list. Already booked though on Nekton liveaboards in February and June so can't take any additional time off work to join you in March. If you can hold out on this trip until mid-to-late August though, I would be seriously interested. I've been looking at a similar trip to Dahab through On The Go Tours but fly into/out of Cairo with one day of sightseeing. I'm not about to spend the money to fly to Egypt without visiting the pyramids!

The 10 day already certified diver tour is $749 and includes the following:

• Tour of pyramids & Sphinx at Giza Plateau
• 8 nights - 3* hotels - Cairo & Dahab
• 1 night bus - Cairo to Dahab
• 1 day bus - Dahab to Cairo
• 10 dives (2 dives per day), dive apparatus, air and guide, appropriate transport to respective dive sites
• All transfers, including Cairo meet & greet and departure transfer and transport to dive sites

I'd probably want to inquire about customizing the trip and getting a few extra dives in. I'm guessing that could probably be arranged at additional cost.

Matt aka Rumblebee

Attached Files

•  dive_ex_cairo.pdf   363.15KB   178 downloads

[peterbj7]

I've done that bus journey from Cairo to Dahab and believe me, you don't want to do it! If you're totally uncommitted with limitless time and sufficient money, then by all means wander around Egypt. If not, then you need to have some focus. From Dahab or Sharm you can take a desert trip including a hike up past St. Catherine's Monastery, to see dawn from the top of the mountain. Absolutely magical. In Dahab (which I'd certainly choose over Sharm these days) you can (or used to be able to) absorb a lot of Egyptian culture.

I would make this a diving holiday and I'd get a non-stop flight to Sharm airport. That used to mean getting a charter flight and that's still the preferred option, because they're a lot more understanding of your need to carry heavy dive gear. Unless you intend visiting Cairo, a complete holiday in itself, you DON'T want to go via Cairo. You'll just end up wasting many hours in airports and other such uninteresting places.

Make another trip to see the historic side of Egypt. You can't really do better than to fly to Cairo, transfer directly onto a flight to the south, somewhere like Abu Simbal, and then travel down the Nile by boat. Stop off at Luxor and other places to see what's on offer. Expect to take at least two weeks, and travel as light as possible. I've done that with a small haversack with one change of underwear, a pair of long trousers, a fleece (it can get very cold at night), lightweight coverall shoes with socks for evenings (sandals for daytime), a broad-rimmed hat, a flashlight with a really good beam (one of the latest LED ones is best, because they don't eat batteries), a camera, and a beanbag as "tripod". When I've done the trip I've also had a sound recorder and have some wonderful recordings. Remember that you'll also be carrying water, basic washing gear plus soap, some basic food such as fruit, and a guidebook. It all mounts up rapidly. You do NOT want to be carrying dive gear!!

Egypt is a fascinating country, and the people are unbelievably hospitable. You need to study the culture before you leave, remembering that it changes in different areas. Be prepared for kids chasing after you demanding "backsheesh" and above all retain your cool. Be very careful on the prices you pay for things - I paid 100 times what something was worth once, by mistake.

At present I'd keep an eye on the Gaza situation in case it spreads, but rest assured that the Egyptian authorities really are committed to tourism and will do everything in their power to protect tourists and ensure they get a good time. Egypt is not a fanatical country - it isn't even officially Muslim - though you'll find extremists there as anywhere else in the region, and indeed elsewhere. You don't need to be afraid and certainly not paranoid, but it pays to be observant and at times cautious. Try not to appear ostentatiously American, and behave quietly and with respect.

I've been to Egypt numerous times and love the country.

I forgot to say - I certainly wouldn't go on an organised tour. I'd do my homework first, over several months, and prepare lots of options. Then I'd go there and other than the key things I'd decided I had to see or do, I'd go with the flow. If you're flexible and don't have a schedule to meet, you can relax so much more and interract with the people you meet so much more.

I keep realising things I forgot. DO try to learn some Arabic. If you can speak just a little, maybe enough to buy some bananas at a street market, the people will greatly respect you for it and will warm to you. It's more important there to at least try to converse with them than anywhere else I've ever been. Another reason for NOT being in a group of American-speaking tourists. Terrible generalisation I know, but many people en masse in a strange country tend to speak quite loudly to each other in their own language, TOTALLY excluding the local population of the country they're visiting. Do that and you'll see the physical sights and nothing else.

Edited by peterbj7, 04 January 2009 - 09:45 AM.

[shadragon]

I went to Egypt for two weeks. A week of tourist stuff and then a week in Marsa Alam. In addition to Peters comments take at least SPF 40 sun-screen and basic meds for minor aches / pains plus diarrhoea. An anti-bacterial hand lotion is recommended. Use it often. Just handling their currency exposes you to a lot of bugs your system is not used too. Be respectful of the locals/customs. Dress modestly, long pants keep the sun off you too. Learn a few phrases and words in Arabic. A Fodors or Blue Planet guide to Egypt is essential. Make sure it is recent.

You will be doing a lot of walking on sand, gravel and dirt if seeing the sights. A good pair of rugged hikers is recommended. Take the trail from Valley of the Kings to the Temple of Hatchepsut for an unforgettable sight.

Luxor requires 3-4 days to do properly. Valley of the Kings, Queens and Artisans. Temples of Hatchepsut, Karnak and Luxor plus many more sites. Don't rush. It will be too hot to rush anyway...

Last tip: Don't get in a cab, kalesh, falluca or get on a camel without negotiating beforehand. Be warned, the camel drivers in the Giza pyramid compound are nigh on thieves and will charge you 50 Euro for 2 minutes on a camel. Less to take a picture, but still steep. Get to the 'lesser' pyramids at Dashur and Saqqara. Less people, cheaper and more access. Be aware of touts. They will wear suits and have fancy looking laminated ID in Arabic. If you tour a mosque, tipping the Imam a few bills is proper. They are very proud of their places of worship and there are some wonderful examples there. Don't go during prayer times though.

Carry a roll of small bills in your pocket for tips or baksheesh. Don't pull out a wad of high denomination bills. Egypt is fairly safe, but it is a city of 25 million and there are a few bad eggs in every city. Plus, in a country where theft can result in you losing your hand, pickpockets are quite good. The average wage in Cairo is about $250 a month. So a lot of people are out for your cash. Most are honest people.

You can buy excellent and very good quality fruit in city stalls. Bargain politely. They expect it. If it is a fruit where you eat the skin, make sure you wash/wipe it well before eating (Use bottled water). No such worries for bananas or oranges. Bio-degradable soap is recommended for you to use. Take a couple of rolls of T.P. with you. Take out the cardboard roller in the centre and they flatten down quite well. Carry them in ziplock type bags to keep them clean and dry. Sand gets everywhere in the desert. Not many public facilities offer that little luxury and you don't want to be bargaining for some when the urge strikes. If you are with a lady you will be quite the hero producing that from your pack at the right time.

If the above sounds negative, it isn't. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cairo / Luxor / Marsa Alam and would go back anytime. I made several friends there I still talk too. Just be aware of the issues and you will do fine. It is culture shock when you step off the plane.

[peterbj7]

Very good points! I was actually in Egypt when the Luxor bomb went off, not thankfully anywhere nearby, and the Egyptians I met were horrified. To the extent that they wouldn't take my money, for hotels or meals. They simply apologised over and over again for the atrocity, and hoped I would return to see them again. They really are (mostly) nice people. Largely because Americans were frightened off by that incident (other nations kept on visiting, but Americans vanished from Egypt) the dive boats had a very lean year. Many liveaboards and large day boats were laid up. I felt very sorry for them.

[grouper]

@Rumblebee:

I've decided to postpone Egypt. If you are still interested in going in August, please get in touch with me. Right now I have a lot on my plate and am more in the mood for an easy warm getaway.

Not that Egypt scares me in the slightest. I've done a share of traveling alone and one of my best friends is from Egypt so he can give me pointers as well.

Again, thank you all for your advice and comments.

--Peter

[WreckWench]

Hey grouper...

Here is the trip we ran last time we went to the Red Sea and Egypt. And it will be the trip that SD will run again as it was top notch! We'll even have a diving only pkg for those that did the sightseeing and/or just want to dive.

We can set this trip up for individuals as well as groups. Let us know if we can help you! It WAS the way to see Egypt!

p.s. We can also beat just about any deal you find so do let us know when you are ready to go!