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Something came up and am on my way to Cairo for a few days with thursday and Friday (morning) "free".

Some suggestions.

hmmm... not sure about Cairo, but the nice places would be outside cairo like Alaexandria and Sharm Al Shaikh !! maybe someone else can help u with cairo !!
Have a gr8 time !!

hey Doggg,why not try the pyramids?


edited: just saw the other topic you post....take some pics and show us later ok? tc

Definitely go to the Museum which is a must-see if you go to Cairo...

You could also check out the Citadel and Khan El Khalili which is one of the most entertaining parts of Cairo. It's one of the most ancient shopping areas (souks) in Cairo... Shopping is optional as what's really nice is just to wander in the narrow streets there. There was a famous coffee shop there who's been there for something like 200 yrs... Don't really remember the name, Fishawi or something like that...

Anyway enjoy your stay there!

zam wrote:hey Doggg,why not try the pyramids?


edited: just saw the other topic you post....take some pics and show us later ok? tc

No camera

pyramids I thought that was a hotel in vegas (lexur or something)

You will be stuck in traffic for the day so have fun haha

Nick81 wrote:Definitely go to the Museum which is a must-see if you go to Cairo...

You could also check out the Citadel and Khan El Khalili which is one of the most entertaining parts of Cairo. It's one of the most ancient shopping areas (souks) in Cairo... Shopping is optional as what's really nice is just to wander in the narrow streets there. There was a famous coffee shop there who's been there for something like 200 yrs... Don't really remember the name, Fishawi or something like that...

Anyway enjoy your stay there!

yup it is fishawi we had nice mint tea there.

Anonymous wrote:pyramids I thought that was a hotel in vegas (lexur or something)

haha! check out the world sometimes.

Concord are you back ? you need to fill us in on your trip.

MaaaD wrote:Concord are you back ? you need to fill us in on your trip.

I'm back. Worked like a donkey but managed a day and 1/2 for touring. My work was within a great view of the pyramids. So while at the office working 14 hr days (for 2 days) I saw the pyramids each time I lifted my head.

I stayed at the Marriott (Omar Khayyam Casino) - on the Nile. Huge hotel with a lot to do inside and at central location.

I Got a recomendation for a reliable taxi driver from someone I met during my business meeting. I would recommend the driver I have his mobile #, etc. (Zezo).

First went to Saqqara where there are a few step pyramids and a number of tombs and temple.

The journey to Saqqara was an experience onto itself. Lots of beople on the road. Zezo's taxi is not the latest model automobile. It is in fact 30 years old. Zezo did not mentioned this but I was warned the night before not to lean on the doors for fear of flying out of the cab! The air conditioning was perfect, except if you closed the windows in which case it might be a bit uncomfortable. There was no need for AC as the weather was cool and breezy (compared to Dubai it was "freezing").

On the way we saw the first, second and third worlds in the span of maybe 50 KM along with "out of this world" things. I was glad I did not travel on "tour" bus as I know the route would have been different but Zezo wanted to get there on time and via the best route (petrol comsuption being a consideration). Defenetily get the sights, sounds and smell of life in Cairo.

At Saqqara I had a guide ($15) and spent about 3 hours there. There are two tickets: one for the pyramdis etc. and a separate one to see the tombs (discovered in the 1980's). No need to have a guide but since it was my first site I hired the guide. I normally don't but...

We next went to the great pyramids. I when inside the great pyramid - very warm inside). Great stuff. They only let 300 people inside the pyramid daily. 150 in the morning and 150 in the afternoon. One you go inside you know why - it is uncomfortable to climb as you crouch for about half the journey. Hot and humid inside. Worth the climb however. I imagine most tours don't go inside the pyramid as it takes more time and they need to move the tourist along. Without Zizo I would have missed the opportunity.

The only problem is that every other person is selling you something (guided tour, head scarf, post cards, etc.) - a bit of a turn off but "everyone has to eat"

Also had dinner at one of the "river boats". Walking distance to the Hotel it was calle "La Chapa". Good live music (international songs, etc.) upper deck on your left.

The second day, yesterday, spent half the day at the Egyptian museum. There is also as separate ticket to see the "royal" mommies - also worth the price of admission. You could spend days at the museum.

Finally but not least. If you think Dubai traffic is nuts; you ain't seen nothing yet. It was amazing how people drive, no signals whatsoever, but traffic moves like a well chorographed ballet. Many beople also walk on the roads (even highways) totally oblivious to traffic!

If any of you want to go I can give you Zizo's number, his english ability is just sufficient for the tourist stuff. Again not a luxury ride but worth the experience. And he was very reliable with time, etc. The person who recommended him uses him exclusively specially to transport his female employees everywhere and at all times.

I will be back to Cairo in November as a tourist with my wife. I'll bring a camera then.

awesome post Concord .. Thanks !

Concord wrote: Also had dinner at one of the "river boats". Walking distance to the Hotel it was calle "La Chapa". Good live music (international songs, etc.) upper deck on your left.

Finally but not least. If you think Dubai traffic is nuts; you ain't seen nothing yet. It was amazing how people drive, no signals whatsoever, but traffic moves like a well chorographed ballet. Many beople also walk on the roads (even highways) totally oblivious to traffic!

excellent post.. it is so interesting for one to read people's feed back on his own country, the place he was born, raised and SUFFERED.

your description is incredibly accurate, especially the bit about not leaning on taxi's doors also the chorographed traffic ballet and seeing all three worlds in one place, this is my cairo alright
it is worth mentioning that things haven't always been this way, egypt has seen much better times in the near past

the place you dined in is called Le Pacha (Pasha is an old egyptian title synonymous to Lord or Sir), and regarding the music, there are much nicer places where you can listen to some fantastic live egyptian jazz if you're interested, places like cairo jazz club and after eight have live music every night sometimes more than one band/night, more like jazz fusion sort of music and it's always a nice experience since it fuses oriental and egyptian traditional and folk music and singing with western music.

for your next visit with the family, i suggest you don't miss going to sharm (where there's also a branch of after eight) and/or hurghada, both on the red sea and have amazing resorts and wonderful weather all through the year. in hurghada, head directly to a town called elgouna (the lagoon), this is a whole environment friendly town with 15 hotels of different start rating, it's got everything, countless number of restaurants bars and cafes, a marina and hotel villas, it has also supermarkets everywhere and close to the hotels so that you could buy your grocery and beers for very cheap!


i wish you a wonderful stay in egypt, if you or anyone else need any egypt related help, just ask oldhippie

great post, sounds like you had a blast, welcome back

Thanks Fayz.

welcome back
So now u know why i tell you guys that traffic here is very smooth compaired to cairo.

Anonymous wrote:welcome back
So now u know why i tell you guys that traffic here is very smooth compaired to cairo.

By the way that was me

yes 18 million people all on the road at the same time and no traffic lights. driving in a cairo taxi is one of the cheapist tourist attractions around hahahaha

fayz

i still laugh every time i play a video of the street outside the Cairo Hilton where the traffic cop feared for his life "trying" to direct traffic.

cairo traffic is mad, i think drivers are so brave to drive there. I could not cross the road, the tour guide had to hold my hand like a baby to cross over, it is suicide mission.

I have put a list from experience for female, Egypt is very safe even for single female but be aware of these things

• The only thing I did not like about Egypt is men staring, no matter what you wear.
• Do not look lost or wondering because you will attract all kind of attention.
• Do not talk to any stranger in a hotel lobby even women, especially 5* hotels.
• If someone tell you my shop is just there, come have a look, in most cases the shop is very far and sellers talk too much, be firm and say no.
• Do not feel embarrassed if you did not give tips for service you did not ask for, for example some will run to call the lift for you and expect tips. if you do you will run out of money.

sara_uk wrote:cairo traffic is mad, .

The scariest part is that now 1 more egyption is licensed in Dubai, Congrats Wafaey !!!!

I spent a few weeks working in Cairo and did not have any bad memorys at all. Yeah the traffic is mad like, but as you say order seems to come out of chaos.

Did you find the best way to cross the road is just casually walk out? Its almost is the cars just slip stream round you. Quite a funny feeling when going across 5 lanes of moving traffic

At first to westener like myself every appeared rude by sounding the horns all the time, but then i realised they were using the horn as a driving aid. So instead of it meaning 'get out of my way, hey move over!' as is the perspective for a westener - it means 'I am over here, I am on your left' ' I am turning right'

I found the folks so friendly as well - yeah you get a lot of hawks trying to sell you carpets and perfume from there uncles shop, but thats no different to someone cold calling to try and sell you double glazing

Talking of mad traffic i love this short video (you can't beat Indian highway codes):

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?doc ... ffic+india

[/url]

Concord wrote:

MaaaD wrote:Concord are you back ? you need to fill us in on your trip.

I'm back. Worked like a donkey but managed a day and 1/2 for touring. My work was within a great view of the pyramids. So while at the office working 14 hr days (for 2 days) I saw the pyramids each time I lifted my head.

I stayed at the Marriott (Omar Khayyam Casino) - on the Nile. Huge hotel with a lot to do inside and at central location.

I Got a recomendation for a reliable taxi driver from someone I met during my business meeting. I would recommend the driver I have his mobile #, etc. (Zezo).

First went to Saqqara where there are a few step pyramids and a number of tombs and temple.

The journey to Saqqara was an experience onto itself. Lots of beople on the road. Zezo's taxi is not the latest model automobile. It is in fact 30 years old. Zezo did not mentioned this but I was warned the night before not to lean on the doors for fear of flying out of the cab! The air conditioning was perfect, except if you closed the windows in which case it might be a bit uncomfortable. There was no need for AC as the weather was cool and breezy (compared to Dubai it was "freezing").

On the way we saw the first, second and third worlds in the span of maybe 50 KM along with "out of this world" things. I was glad I did not travel on "tour" bus as I know the route would have been different but Zezo wanted to get there on time and via the best route (petrol comsuption being a consideration). Defenetily get the sights, sounds and smell of life in Cairo.

At Saqqara I had a guide ($15) and spent about 3 hours there. There are two tickets: one for the pyramdis etc. and a separate one to see the tombs (discovered in the 1980's). No need to have a guide but since it was my first site I hired the guide. I normally don't but...

We next went to the great pyramids. I when inside the great pyramid - very warm inside). Great stuff. They only let 300 people inside the pyramid daily. 150 in the morning and 150 in the afternoon. One you go inside you know why - it is uncomfortable to climb as you crouch for about half the journey. Hot and humid inside. Worth the climb however. I imagine most tours don't go inside the pyramid as it takes more time and they need to move the tourist along. Without Zizo I would have missed the opportunity.

The only problem is that every other person is selling you something (guided tour, head scarf, post cards, etc.) - a bit of a turn off but "everyone has to eat"

Also had dinner at one of the "river boats". Walking distance to the Hotel it was calle "La Chapa". Good live music (international songs, etc.) upper deck on your left.

The second day, yesterday, spent half the day at the Egyptian museum. There is also as separate ticket to see the "royal" mommies - also worth the price of admission. You could spend days at the museum.

Finally but not least. If you think Dubai traffic is nuts; you ain't seen nothing yet. It was amazing how people drive, no signals whatsoever, but traffic moves like a well chorographed ballet. Many beople also walk on the roads (even highways) totally oblivious to traffic!

If any of you want to go I can give you Zizo's number, his english ability is just sufficient for the tourist stuff. Again not a luxury ride but worth the experience. And he was very reliable with time, etc. The person who recommended him uses him exclusively specially to transport his female employees everywhere and at all times.

I will be back to Cairo in November as a tourist with my wife. I'll bring a camera then.

Just an update on my previous post. When back to it 2 weeks back so Mrs. Concord could see the place (took a camera this time). Same thing except we also visited the Coptic Museum, the oldest mosque in Cairo (Nazer..) and the Islamic Ceramics Museum. We also took a trip up to Fayoum (sp) where they have a lake. Nothing much to do than to see the country side Fayoum is an oasiss (huge thing).

Stayed one night at the movenpick which is closer to the Pyramids (nothing worth writing about).

We walked from the Marriot Hotel to the Egyptian Museum (what an adventure!)