The way i saw Cairo (and Ras Sudar) (Sights & Attractions in Cairo)

Member Name: livelifeandsmile

Product:	Sights & Attractions in Cairo
Date:	25/07/02 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sun, , culture,

Disadvantages: Can be awkward for women,, you lose money without a translator!

This opinion is mainly about Cairo but includes alittle about Ras Sudur near Suez.

I visited Egypt in August 2001 and i am returning August 2002.

The first thing that hit me as we travelled from the airport in Cairo to our hotel, apart from the heat, was the living standards in the city. In general Cairo appears quite a run-down place with many earthquake damaged flats filled with the homeless and many other run down buildings.

Yet this is no real problem. Cairo is definitly an assult on your senses. The noise of the traffic can be heard 24/7 yet it is not expecially diturbing as you quickly grow used to it. Crossing a road is an adventure in its self as there appear to be no driving regulations on those streets. This all gives you the feeling of something exotic and totally different from my UK home.

As westerners you will be hassled by people on the streets trying to get money out of you. But as this country would have no hope of surviving without tourisum this is hardly surprising. Women expecially should respect the fact that this is a muslim country and wear baggy cotton clothes to avoid unwanted attention. The people are not nasty but it is a very different culture out there.

As visit to the pyramids at Giza is a must if you are in the area and they are an awesome sight. There are a fews stalls to by souviners from aswell as the opportunity for a camel ride. This should not be missed but if you have someone to haggle for you you will find youself far better off at the end of it that if you don't. But however much it costs it is well worth it to travel around one of the seven wonders of the world on one of these extrodinary beasts!

Another pyramid attraction is the evening light show that projects various images onto the pyramids as a voice over explains the history and many myths and legends. This can be a bit boring but if you are interested in findout out fatcs it is the place to go.

An
other must is a trip to an Egyptian Bazzar. These places certainly do not dissapoint the imagination. In the curious shops and stalls you can find endless tourist items reasonably priced aswell as visiting the areas where the locals shop. Again it is useful to have someone to haggle for you in arabic but just repeating 'mish mumpkin' (impossiable) has an amazing effect on the price of some gifts!!

A beautiful and interesting 3 hour journey across the desert brought us to Ras Sudar on the Red Sea near Suez. A little visited town this is a great place to experience the real Egypt while sunning yourself and indulging in what a holiday should be. The sea is beautifully warm and clear. At low tide you can walk for literally a mile and the water will only reach your knees! Although the sea life is not amazing there is plenty to interest you if you happen to have taken a pair of goggles.

A refreshing breeze continuously finds its way across the desert to keep you cool and content in this remote paradise. As long as you are prepared to rough it a bit this simple but comfortable town is a great place to escape the tourist trail.

As a whole this trip was one of the best of my life. Egypt is definitly a country that should not be missed by those who want to experience different cultures. More travelling will allow you to see the other amazing sights of this country including the famous mount siani.

I am returing in 3 days and I am incrediably excited! Anybody who wants something different should go to this country.

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