Egypt 2007
"egypt 2007"
Went to Egypt for 3 weeks in Jan.
Got cheap return to Sharm El Sheikh. First stop Cairo which i enjoyed very much except I had been kidnapped by a "well meaning" family who insited on chauffering me everywhere - then ripped me off for the privilege! I particularly like the old market, but beware of your bags!
From Cairo I took a 10 hour train journey to Luxor, which was surprisingly comfortable. The view out of the window was interesting as well, ordinary Egyptians going about their daily business, all in all a very pleasant experience.
In Luxor I stayed at Happy Land and was very happy with it. The only thing I would say is that it's not really worth it do do any of their tours. I booked one to go to Karnak and Luxor temples, and then wished I'd doneit by myself with a guide book. I went to Valley of the Kings independantly (with 2 girls I met at the hostel) it was really easy to get the ferry across and then find a taxi. A highlight of my visit was walking from Valley of the Kings to the temple of Hatshepsut, really nice scenery! (to do this just ask the guides the way from Valley of the Kings).
From there I took another train to Aswan, I can't remember where I stayed but it was the sister hotel to happy land in Luxor. I liked Aswan - though there wasn't that much to do there, just walk absorb - and buy! i didn't thing that much to the botanical gardens - too may trees not enough flowers - the nubian island was interesting and a pleasant day spent wandering. I did take the organised trip to Abu Simbal - worthwhile, but as you are part of a convoy everyone arrives at the same time and visits everything at the some time. If I was to do it again I would visit the other temple first and then Abu Simbal second to avoid the crowds.
From there i went back up to Luxor and arranged my bus and ferry ticket to go from Hurgada back to the Sinai Penisula.
I stayed one night in Hurgada and didn't like it much!! I was asked to go to a nightclub with a young local which was interesting if only to see the russians dancing to really bad music! Oh and Egyptian vodka is rank!
The next morning up and on the ferry. At the other end I was surprised too find how easy and cheap with was to get to Dahab - a man with a minibus was filling it up from the ferry carpark.
Dahab was really nice. I stayed at the Bishibishi camp, i'ts a really nice place and the staff were lovely. I dived with Sinai divers and found them excellent. In Dahab I didn't do much, just diving and lazing, Sinai Divers had a roof top terrace that was lovely to sunbathe on in the afternoon.
