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Great Historic Sites DVD $19.95 buy now
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Egypt: Background and travel essentials |
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With over 4,000 years of history encompassing the most fascinating
ancient history on earth, few countries boast as much as Egypt
for historical sites, priceless treasures, and mystical intrigue.
Situated on the north-eastern corner of Africa, Egypt welcomes
millions of tourists a year, making it one of the most heavily
visited countries on earth. With some creativity, travellers
can still discover Egypt's hidden treasures and avoid most
of the crowds by heading west and east away from the Nile
Delta to the little visited desert oases and rugged Sinai
Peninsula.
Start by exploring the frantic, bustling capital of Cairo,
wandering down the narrow alleys of and making a pilgrimage
to the iconic Pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders
of the world. Head west to the desert, stopping at the tiny,
lush oases of Siwa and Kharga that serve as
vital resting places for nomadic tribes. Arrive in Luxor,
in the lower Nile Valley, where visits to the Karnak Temple
and the Valley of the Kings (resting place of Tutankamun's
Tomb) can be complemented with a sunrise balloon ride over
the desert. |
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Head further south to the Sudanese border, visiting one of
Egypt's most famous sites, the temples of Abu Simbel.
Travel back up north, relaxing on the many beaches of the
Red Sea coast, before reaching the rugged Sinai Peninsula,
where fantastic diving in Ras Mohammad and the Straits
of Tiran can be combined with intriguing desert treks.
Whilst Egypt is definitely on the tourist trail, the beauty
of her stark deserts, the centuries of history displayed in
her thousands of temples and the vibrant reefs teeming with
turtles and reef sharks guarantee that even the most sceptical
visitor will be awed by the ancient magic of Egypt. |
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Cash
The currency is the Egyptian Pound and it is divided into 100 piastres.
Approximate conversions:
$ 1 US = 6 Egyptian Pound
£1 Sterling = 10 Egyptian Pounds
€1 Euro = 7 Egyptian Pounds
For up to date currency information, check the Currency
Converter.
Costs while travelling in Egypt vary greatly depending on the kind
of comfort level you need; both cheap guesthouses and five star
hotels are available throughout the country and you get what you
pay for. Always check the quality of budget accommodation before
handing over your money and avoid paying for too many nights in
advance. It pays to be careful when arriving at Cairo airport to
avoid the scams and rip offs that are a common ploy of the city's
taxi drivers. For frugal visitors, $20 dollars a day will be enough
to cover accommodation, food and basic transportation, but other
expenses will depend on the number of historical sites visited each
day and whether surface or air transportation is used to get around
(one way flights from Cairo to Aswan cost $200 US dollars each way).
At the other end of the spectrum, visitors staying in 5 star resort
hotels, diving on the Red Sea and taking a hot air balloon ride
over the Nile can push costs into the thousands of dollars for a
two-week trip.
Traveller's cheques and credit cards are readily accepted in every
major city, and cash machines are increasingly found in tourist
centres like Cairo, Luxor and the Red Sea diving resorts. If you
are heading off to the western desert you should bring all your
cash in Egyptian Pounds with you to avoid bad exchange rates. It
is possible to exchange your leftover Egyptian pounds back into
your home currency before you leave but its best to only do this
with clean, new notes.
Travel
Domestic flights are expensive in Egypt, so unless your
time is short, flying is a pricey option. One-way tickets to Luxor
can cost as much as $120 US dollars. Trains and buses
are a better and cheaper option with air-conditioned buses leave
from Cairo to many destinations in Egypt, which are cheap and convenient.
Trains make comfortable overnight journeys down south to Luxor and
Aswan, though sleepers aren't always much cheaper than flights.
Cairo is a traffic hell, but the efficient metro system makes
getting to central locations easy and convenient. Once in the towns,
service taxis and microbuses make cheap short journeys possible
and attractions easy to find. On rivers, feluccas offer touristy
but fun river rides at sunset. Bargaining is essential and the more
people you have the cheaper it will be. Camels are also a
mode of transit but are most often only at sites like the Pyramids
at Giza.
People
Egypt has the second largest population in Africa and is the largest
Arab nation in terms of population. There are 70 million
people squeezed into the Nile River Valley and the Nile Delta, in
one of the fastest growing populations in the world. Though modern
Egyptians claim to be descendents of the pharaohs, centuries of
invasions and cultural influences from Romans, Greeks, Libyans,
and Arabs have changed the ethnic mix of modern Egypt from the days
of antiquity. The most important of these influences has been Islam,
which defines the lives of most Egyptians and whose code of ethics
dominates politics and daily life. In the Western Desert, minorities
of Berbers and Bedouins live in oases and desert settlements
while large numbers of Nubians live in the southern areas
along the Sudanese border. Islam is the dominant religion in Egypt,
as it is across the Middle East and Northern Africa, but minorities
of Christians exist in communities and monasteries along
the Red Sea coast. The Egyptian Christians were originally a part
of the Byzantine Christian Church, and the religion actually was
the dominant faith in Egypt before Islam was introduced.
Food
Most travellers don't leave Egypt raving about the food; it tends
to be basic, uninventive and bland. What it lacks in flavour is
made up with price, and travellers on a budget can get fed on just
a few dollars a day. The staple of the Egyptian diet, aysh
(bread) comes in several forms. The most common is a pita type made
either with refined white flour called aysh shami, or with
coarse, whole wheat, aysh baladi. Stuffed with any of several
fillings, the Egyptian sandwich is delicious. An Aysh sham
is bread made from leavened dough allowed to rise in the sun, while
plain aysh comes in long, skinny, French-style loaves. The
most common staples of Egyptian food is fuul and ta'amiyya,
both are made with crushed fava beans, though ta'amiyya is a mixture
of spices and is fried in oil. Both fuul and ta'amiyya are served
in a flatbread either alone or with vegetables. Shwarma,
similar to a Greek gyros, is a mixture of grilled meats,
spices and vegetables in a flatbread wrap. Other dishes include
haman (stuffed pigeons) and firekh (spit roasted chicken).
Vegetarians are well provided for with salads, though they tend
to be served drowned in vinegar dressing.
Language
Arabic is the language spoken in Egypt, with all major European
languages like French, German and English well understood throughout
the country. It helps to learn a few simple phrases in Arabic to
break the ice, especially when travelling off the beaten track.
Climate
Egypt has a desert climate, with low humidity and high temperatures
most of the year. Hardly any rain falls below Cairo, with
as little as 10mm in Aswan; the Mediterranean coast
can get nearly 200mm per year. In spring, dust storms are common
and the sky can be tinted completely red with dust blown in from
the Libyan Desert in the west. Summer daytime temperatures (June
to August) of over 45C are common and can make travel very uncomfortable,
especially in Aswan, Luxor and anywhere in the Western Desert, where
shade is at a premium. It is the least popular time to visit Egypt,
and historic sites will be empty, but searing temperatures may limit
your sightseeing to early morning hours and late afternoon. Winter,
from December-February, falls in the middle of the high season for
tourism. It's much cooler with highs in the mid 20's throughout
the country, although in the desert the night-time temperatures
can fall to 2C; if travelling then, prepare with adequate layers
of clothing to prevent hypothermia. Spring (March to May) and autumn
(September to November) are good times to avoid high temperatures
and temples invaded by tour groups, although the beaches can be
crowded on the Red Sea coast.
Dress
Dressing comfortably for high temperatures and to avoid offending
Islamic sensibilities can be a challenge: long, loose light coloured
cotton clothing is recommended, for both men and women, and both
sexes should avoid revealing too much skin, especially shoulders,
legs and upper arms. This should also be followed when on a beach
vacation along the Red Sea coast.
Health
Diarrhoea and upset stomachs pose the greatest threat to
travellers in Egypt; it pays to avoid undercooked food and to make
sure bottled water is sold in sealed containers. Malaria
is a risk in the Nile River Valley area of Al Fayoum; avoiding bites
and taking medication is essential. Sunburn and dehydration
pose a threat when travelling in the deserts or even just doing
too much sightseeing in the middle of the day. Every traveller should
visit their doctor to discuss their trip in detail and to get recommended
vaccinations, particularly if travelling southward through Sudan
and Ethiopia.
Visas
Most travellers from Europe and North America can get a visa on
arrival in Egypt; the exception being travellers coming overland
from Jordan and Israel, who need to obtain a visa in advance. A
passport with at least six months of validity is required to get
a visa, which costs $15 US dollars. If you plan to stay longer than
90 days you must apply for a special visa in your home country,
and if you plan to work in Egypt you will need to obtain a special
work permit.
By Dave Lowe
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