Sharm el-Sheikh Journals

Egypt adventure

Best of IgoUgo

A May 2000 trip to Sharm el-Sheikh by tinagirlie

Quote: the Birquash Camel market and Scuba in Sinai : off the beaten track

Egypt adventure

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

Quote:
One morning we set out in my friend Adel’s Hyundai for the Birqash Camel Market. As we left the hustle and bustle of Cairo, the city streets gave way to bumpy dirt roads and small villages of farmers. This is the camel market where many of the camels in this area of the world are traded. Camel traders come to Cairo from as far away as Sudan to this market, where a large camel can go for as much as US. Lonely Planet writes that the Sun Hotel (tel 578-1786) at 2 Sharia Talaat Harb in Cairo organizes minibus excursions to Birquash on Fridays only. Call ahead to check. You may have to book in advance. Otherwise, try your luck negotiating an all day trek with a taxi driver. Quick Tips:...Read More

Local Dining

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Local Food"

Quote:
The food here in Egypt is delicious! The main diet consists of beans, bread similar to what we call pita bread, and any number of dishes based on sesame butter, beans and the like. Vegetarians can be very happy here. Hummus, babaganoush, kebabs, and felafel are all staples. A typical breakfast dish is Fuul - basically tastes just like Mexican refried beans to me, put in a pita. you would also have hummus with breakfast, and you can also find European style croissants and other stuff of that type with no problem.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 20, 2000

Local Dining
Throughout Cairo
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Giza Pyramids and The Sphinx

Attraction | "Giza Pyramids & Nile Cruise"

Quote:
I wanted to see the sound and light show at the Giza Pyramids. Every book recommends this show, and it was really excellent. There's nothing better than sitting under the stars with a cool breeze in the air, and listening to the stories of these incredible monuments. They use lights, lasers and music to entertain the masses of tourists that come to these shows. My own emotions overtook me sitting there and thinking about how long I had wanted to see the pyramids. I felt lucky to be alive and to be in that place and time. I wish that I could share this experience with everyone I know. It was truly magical for me. I also experienced a wonderful Nile dinner cruise. You just can't leave Cairo without crui...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 21, 2000

Giza Pyramids and The Sphinx
Giza Plateau
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Diving in Sharm El Sheikh

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:
I only got in one day of Scuba diving in Sharm El Sheikh, but it was worth all the effort, and a taster of what a couple of weeks here could be like. It was definitely one of the highlights of this trip and the diving here is out of this world. It's beyond words to describe; it is so wonderful. It was so far beyond my expectations, that I feel lucky to have done it. I was able to do 3 dives this day, and two of the dives I was lucky to have our divemaster, Chris, from New Zealand as my personal guide. The other divers were old pros, and I was the new diver, so he decided to stick close to me, and I jumped at the chance to have one-on-one instruction. I am still such a new diver that...Read More

Egyptian Society

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:
I also have to share an aspect of Egyptian society that impressed me so much. We were setting off for the day when we realized Adel had a completely flat tire. Within a minute, there were no less than 9 or 10 men helping him with the tire. Everyone on the street offered to help. Everyone pulls together because life is so rough it seems. In a city of 16 million people, everyone makes the time to help a neighbor. It is not even questioned. We are so independent as Americans. We have gotten to the point where we don't even trust someone who offers help on the road, and usually that's the safe thing to do. I was really impressed by the willingness to help, and at every turn in the road, when we needed dir...Read More

Cafe Scene at the Zamalek Marriott

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:
My guidebook says you shouldn't leave Cairo without having a Stella beer on the patio of the Zamalek Marriott Hotel. Since this is a historical hotel, I did not want to miss it. The hotel exudes old world elegance and I could imagine royalty being right at home here over the last hundred years or so. We walked around and gaped at the decor. Polished marble floors, intricate gold painted awnings, engraved brass lamps, ornately carved mashrabiyyah screens, a grand ballroom that looks like something from Versailles. As we took in the scene, you could note Saudi's, Kuwaitis, Japanese, English, French, Lebanese, Americans, and Egyptian families, tourists, and business people all relaxing, talking, and doin...Read More