To wonder why the fuck anyone would want to go to Sharm El Shek anyway?

[GlitteryRollerGirl]

Just that really.

That part of the world is incrediably volatile at the moment, even more so since the terrorist attack in Tunisia. The foreign office advised against travelling there after that. I've always wanted to go to and see the pyramids but accept its not going to happen for the foreseeable future, it's not worth the risk . Now this terrible incident with the plane, clearly there is intelligence telling the government that it's just not safe to fly to or from there at the moment.

Aside from that, I've known loads of people who've been there and none have liked it. Huge purpose built resorts with gates and armed guards on them?! No thanks! I'd never be able to relax.

If you want some winter sun what's wrong with the good old Canaries?

talkinpeas nobody has said anything about public beheadings . It was a response unthread to a poster that said sanctimoniously they would travel to Muslim Egypt or Dubai because of woman's rights . "I couldn't go there because"

I'm a baptised catholic but fully recognise that religion is used to suppress women all over the world , very close to home.
Not sure when the last time Egypt did public beheadings anyway ?

You won't see it on the news because it doesn't serve a political purpose . But even if it did I doubt any mumsnetter would start a thread as they can't thumb their nose at people they perceive to be common .

We were in Egypt March 2015 and booked to take family next March if everything ok. My daughters friends at same hotel we were at in March and going again next year. They love it, first time for them. The staff are so friendly and do anything for you. Yes you get hassle when you go shopping but you get hassle in Jamaica, canaries and other countries.
Great for scuba diving.
Cairo is about 6hrs away from Sharm.
We went to Tunisia 2014 and staff great there. They need tourist to visit. People that have been love going and will go back. There are terrorists everywhere.

ken

There is no comparison, for a start, you are allowed to cristise Catholicism and other religions and write books about them and poke fun about them, have tv shows ridiculing them, without the fear of a FATAWA placed on your head, or violent retaliation.

Most religions are old and archaic but there is also a head to the catholic church and most other religions. There is no top dog in Islam just loads of different Imans with no one accountable figure, like the Pope.

That's a ridiculous way of thinking about it KenDodd. The poster concerned compared it to apartheid. By the logic you're using people would have justified going to South Africa in the 80s because there was racism in lots of other countries.

Not sure when the last time Egypt did public beheadings anyway not sure but this is fairly recent

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2165445/British-journalist-Natasha-Smith-22-recalls-horrific-sexual-assault-Egypts-Tahrir-Square.html

edition.cnn.com/2012/06/27/world/meast/egypt-journalist-assaulted/

Figradon - what do you mean by ok? What do you think is going to change by March? Tourists have been at risk and have been attacked for decades, that is not going to change in the near future. The chances are of course that you would still be incredibly unlucky to be hit. But, there will be more attacks and tourists will continue to be the target. Take your risks (as I do) but know the facts.

I've not had hassle in the Canaries on several trips or Mallorca. Felt safe in both. Hated the hassle in Jamaica and it rained most days

"Yes you get hassle when you go shopping but you get hassle in Jamaica, canaries and other countries."

The hassle young and even not so young females without a man in tow can get in the likes of Egypt and Turkey are nothing like what you get in the Canaries etc - you have completely missed the point. The sexual harrasement and assault can be through the roof and ranges from annoying to downright serious and scary.

KenDodsDadsDog.

Thanks for the question. As you come to mention it, I don't think I would be wanting to visit any of those places, for all the reasons youhave described.

IMO this isn't about the fact that I might be caught up in some kind of terrorist attack, reality is that there is a greater chance of dying in a car crash on the way to the air port in the UK than there is of being a victim of terrorism.

However, the reality is that there is a greater risk of terrorism at the moment, and if there is, then there is a greater risk not of being killed, but of being stuck in one of these countries when the next attack happens.

There is probably a good chance of somewhere in the UK being caught up in a terrorist attack, but even if that happens, at least I will be able to get home, whereas if I were in Egypt/turkey/ there is no knowing how long I could be stuck there, or how I might be able to get home.

Have never fancied Egypt, each to their own and all that, have been to Turkey a number of times though and loved it, but given current situations I'm not overly enthusiastic about traveling to that part of the world atm.

I've never understood why people want to gladly give their money away to countries whose citizens are taught to hate other cultures and basically treat tourists like cash cows to be milked. There are far nice places to go on holiday if you want some sun, sand and culture and now that Cuba has better relations with the USA, you can go a bit further afield if you don't want to go to places like Spain, Portugal, Italy etc. No reason at all to go to the Middle East or any Arab/Muslim country and risk your life.

No reason at all to go to the Middle East or any Arab/Muslim country and risk your life

I cant speak for other muslim countries but Marrackech and surrounding areas was bliss, warm, friendly human place to visit. I saw a real general love towards dc, a warmth from staff, locals, shop keepers. We had two really horrid pushy hasslers in two trips, so not bad really.

I went to Egypt years ago, Luxor as I wanted to see the historical sites. It was an amazing country to visit and the archaeological sites were fabulous.
It wasnt exactly safe even then (1996 ish), we had armed guards on a trip to Abu Simbel due to bandits, and there was a terrorist threat. The massacre at Hatshepsuts temple happened a year or so after I went.
Reading about bribing the staff at Sharm was interesting. On my way home from Luxor, this bloke grabbed our cases and rushed us through security in the hope od "baksheesh" (tip). He was in luck as I had a about 20 Egyptian pounds going spare (about a fiver). We bypassed customs, soldiers, the lot. So things clearly havnt changed since then!

The locals were generally friendly and welcoming, although you did get a fair bit of hassle. I never got a feeling of hostility to Westerners but they certainly liked to get you to spend and the persistance could be a nuisance. The poverty and begging was awful to see, it may sound cliched but I did feel humbled by it.

Back then, the risk was worth it (imo), but I wouldn't go now. I'd really like to visit Petra, but at the moment I think anywhere in that region is just too risky.

'I've never understood why people want to gladly give their money away to countries whose citizens are taught to hate other cultures and basically treat tourists like cash cows to be milked. "

That's a bit of a huge generalisation. I've been to many places - i'd never just tar a whole group if folk all the same like that. You get all types in every country.

It's interesting that people are talking about boycotting Muslim countries because of corporal punishment, women's rights or general human rights' abuses: I'm intrigued to know whether they are aware of the wider implications of this, and the fact that all these things pretty much wipe out the entire world, including the UK, which means no staycations... sigh

The only thing that might have tempted us to go there would be the diving.

But my snob barometer makes me think it's a bit Benidorm.

We went to Sharm a few years ago. It was beautiful, stunning beaches, great diving and snorkelling. Very friendly locals, fantastic market and so on.

I wouldn't go now, to Egypt or any other Muslim Country, but I am glad that I've been.

Hello all my Uk friend who have been to sharm el sheikh or haven't been and like to go to sharm el sheikh and afraid to come because of the Russian airplane situation.
I just want to say something is anyone in the world knows when he will die or even how and were no one knows when is his time when the death is come nothing will stopped where ever you are in safe or unsafe country for example the soldiers in the Past wars some of them get killed and some not even they know what they going to do and they was trained and ready and has there gone and equipment and still get kills the reason is no one can stop death hope you understood I am sure you will if you believe in faith.
In the end I love uk people and I have got uk friends more than local friends xxxxxxx

Hello all my Uk friend who have been to sharm el sheikh or haven't been and like to go to sharm el sheikh and afraid to come because of the Russian airplane situation.
I just want to say something is anyone in the world knows when he will die or even how and were no one knows when is his time when the death is come nothing will stopped where ever you are in safe or unsafe country for example the soldiers in the Past wars some of them get killed and some not even they know what they going to do and they was trained and ready and has there gone and equipment and still get kills the reason is no one can stop death hope you understood I am sure you will if you believe in faith.
In the end I love uk people and I have got uk friends more than local friends xxxxxxx

But unfortunately Zaher that sort of attitude is part of the reason why this tragedy happened. You can't just say bad stuff happens and if its your time you will go and use that as an excuse for poor security measures.

I love egypt. I have been many times to cairo, on nile cruises etc and we have also been for beach holidays in Taba and in Sharm for the diving and the guaranteed sun. I wouldn't go now, in the same way as I wouldn't go to Tunisia (or in fact to Turkey). The risks are higher and tourists are being targeted.

Zaher
Your fatalistic attitude that does not allow for free will is why I avoid Muslim countries now.

Tie up your camel, then trust in Allah.

The authorities in Sharm did not tie up their camel
they should start