Sharm, It Sure Is Great!! (Sharm el Sheikh)

Member Name: DreamerHelen

Product:	Sharm el Sheikh
Date:	08/08/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Steeped in History, Great Food, Great People, Just Amazing All Round

Disadvantages: Very Very Hot, take Precautions!!

I went to Sharm quite some time ago but I have never forgotten it - It was the most wonderful holiday.

The Plane Flight is not very long (about 4 hours) although it IS rather hot there, I went in August and the heat was in excess of 40C. I found it quite dry heat and very manageable.

The best places to stay are just outside of the main part of Sharm as Na'ma Bay is too noisy although wonderful!!

Na'ma Bay is basically a long street with several shops on it - I would recommend buying Jewellry and also buying some Perfume Oil. Be careful of the Shop Owners, they are lovely but can sometimes be a bit touchy feely although I don't think they mean anything by it, just keep your distance although be friendly.

I would recommend that you learn a little Arabic before you go - Just enough to say hello, goodbye, thank you, how much - It will endear you to the Locals because it shows that you've made an effort to get to know their culture a little bit.

One thing that I found rather disrespectful was Women walking around in tiny little shorts and bikini tops - The majority of the locals there are Muslim Men, that means that for them to look at a Woman like that would be dishonouring their religion. I'm not saying dress like a nun, but at least make sure that your legs are covered to the knees and your arms to your elbows.

I know this sounds weird but I visit a McDonald's in almost every single Country that I visit and Egypt was by far the best - The meat tasted clean and it was delicious, I suspect this may have something to do with the way they kill the meat.

I didn't have much money when I went so I only really did one main excursion which was to Mt Sinai. I can recommend the night-time climb as it's much cooler and so much more surreal and special. You can take a Camel about halfway (for an extra small fee) but then when you get to the Steps they obviously can't go up them. There are about 640 steps but the Guides are lovely and my one was quite happy to go slowly with me as he could see that I'm not very fit. Once you're on the top you feel like you're on top of the world and you get to see the Sunrise, which is stunning. On the way down you'll visit St Catherine's Monastry which is very beautiful and well worth a look.

Overall, the Food is incredible (don't drink the water, make sure it's bottled) and the people are wonderful. The beaches (although I'm not a beach person) are lovely and I'd recommend a glass-bottomed boat excursion which doesn't cost a lot and the Sea is as clear as water from a tap.

Go, enjoy and tell everyone about it!!

Summary: A Glowing Review of Sharm in Egypt, Well Worth It