To be bricking it about going to Egypt?

[hooveringhamabeads]

I am taking my two DDs to Hurghada soon, and as the date looms I am worried as all I’ve heard from people is negative stuff.

Apart from the obvious extremists side of things, I’ve been told multiple times that we will definitely end up getting the shits, and get hassled by men all day long, especially as I won’t have one of them men folk with me.

Is is really going to be as bad as that? Beginning to wish I’d just booked center parcs!

To add to the good advice above - if you don’t already wear one, wear a cheap band on your wedding finger.

I’ve visited and lived in Egypt a few times, learn the simple Arabic ‘la shockran’ for ‘no thank you’ and learn how to say it firmly and confidently. Dodgy stomach is really normal in Egypt, take things from here if you want but what you really need is something from a pharmacy where you are, it’s designed to fight the specific bacteria that is there.

Other than that, Egypt is a wonderful country, I haven’t been for years because of the terrorist issues but I loved it there.

Just spent half term in Egypt with DH and kids. The resort in Hurghada was very safe, a lot of security and no outsiders allowed in. Never had any issues with food or a dodgy stomach. I think this depends on how clean your resort is. I ate plenty of eggs at breakfast. tripadvisor is your friend, look up your hotel for reviews.

Cairo is a different story, very busy and quite dirty, ended up getting a bad stomach even though I was constantly washing my hands.

I did actually think about getting a cheap gold band to wear on my wedding finger but wasn’t sure if that was over the top cray cray.

Probably the only wedding ring I’ll ever have, my life is tragic

Oh they don’t care. They’ll still scream at you and push you about, ring or no ring.

Definitely agree with a fake wedding band, and if your girls are near or in their teens make sure you're all decently covered if you leave the resort. The staff might hide their scorn to protect their jobs but that won't apply outside, even with public officials

Be aware you are, quite simply, a walking wallet and that prices you're quoted have nothing to do with reality and are merely viewed as a "donation" from a very rich westerner

Remember that a kitchen is only as clean as the dirtiest person in it. You may be fed the line that "everything's washed in bottled water" but this will be a lie, so avoid all raw veg and unpeeled fruit and aim for things cooked for a long time or at very high heat. Sealed drinks only of course (check the seals) and no ice or anything diluted with local water

Oh, and have a great time ... believe it or not I love the place, but you do need to be very careful

I was very very badly harassed in Sharm when I was 13 (am part Arabic) Eventually had to walk around holding onto my brother to pretend he was my husband a slightly hairier version of me

We have family in Egypt so travel there regularly.
Hurghada is a very touristy and you will have few problems other than people trying to get you to look in their shops and eat in their restaurants. It would be respectful to keep shoulders and knees covered whilst out of your hotel but absolutely no need to wear a fake wedding ring!
Food poisoning outbreaks do occasionally happen in certain hotels, as they do in all parts of the world. We eat in family and friends houses and also Street food and are never Ill, but we are probably accustomed to the food. If you do get an upset stomach go to a chemist and ask for antimal as a previous poster suggested. I think some people get sick as they over indulge on the all inclusive food!
Make sure you do a snorkeling trip to one of the islands. You will see absolutely stunning multi coloured fish and marine life, sometimes dolphins if you are lucky. Also go on a day trip to Luxor or overnight if you can. It is proper Egypt, not overly commercialised like Hurghada and you can visit the valley of the Kings and Queens and see Karnak and Luxor temples. You will drive through rural areas and see how the people live.
What hotel are you staying in? If you have any questions pm me.

Thanks for all the replies. We are staying at the Sindbad Club resort.

Re mozzies, there used to be an Avon bath spray which was far better and I think one of the current range also works. We used it round India, China, Jordan Egypt etc and never had problems, some people had very expensive other stuff that was useless.
The Egyptians are mostly lovely people who have suffered very badly from the terrorist incidents and are desperate to get tourists back, I'm sure you'll enjoy your holiday.
Quick google, Avon Skin So Soft is apparently the current one.

I've been to Egypt many many times and I appreciate that times have changed, recommendations are now different, but I really think you will have the best time. I never felt anything other than safe and was a single white female every single time I went!!

I have never stayed in the Sinbad but it is in a very good location and it has an submarine that you can book to go down in which would be cool.

I have been to Hurghada many times (scuba diver) and never got ill. I have always felt safe there. I have walked around the main shopping areas on my own (female in late 20s/30s) during the daytime and never had a problem - you will sometimes get people trying to call you into their shop, just say a firm “no thank you” and keep walking.

Take good insect repellent and sun screen. Only drink bottled water.

Soft drinks and snacks in hotels can be expensive if you aren’t all inclusive but there are convenience stores all over the place selling bottled water, coke, snacks etc. much cheaper so I would suggest using those to stock up if needed.

The taxis are cheap but make sure you use the official ones (I can’t remember what colour they are but hotel reception will be able to tell you) and always agree the fare up front - you may have to negotiate a little but the threat to get out and find another taxi usually works!

Only time I have ever been scammed is by a taxi driver - there’s a favourite trick where they ask you to give them 100LE for a 20LE fare and they will give you the change, then when you give them the 100LE they palm it, show you a 10LE and tell you that you gave them the wrong note by mistake. They are banking on the fact that you will be flustered by the foreign currency and not argue. I’m embarassed to say they caught me out!

Hope you have a fabulous trip!

@Bishalisha If you were part Arab, you'd say part Arab not part Arabic. Don't believe all the negatives on here, people have agendas.

I have been to Egypt and didn't have a problem. Take some immodium if you're worried but honestly, it's not anywhere near as big a risk as you think. Ditto the Home Office advice - everywhere I've ever been has had HO advice of terrorism, natural disasters and goodness knows what else, but I'm still in one piece! IMO, they state every possible risk, however remote, so that no-one can say they weren't warned.

Regarding the hassle, it IS a different culture and what is part of everyday banter there might be construed as harassment here. Take it in its context, roll with it and it won't be an issue - I had guys waving and shouting (especially if they were stall/shop holders so wanted to sell me something!) but I just smiled, brushed it off and walked on. The vast majority of times they aren't meaning to harass, it's just that we Brits aren't used to it :)

Wear sunglasses

This allows you to look at everything without catching anyone’s eye and feeling rude

Avon Skin So Soft spray is great for mosquitos
You can boil eggs in a kettle if you have one in your room 😀

I went to Egypt on my honeymoon. We went on a cruise in a small boat ( think death on the Nile type) down the Nile and then spent a week in Hurghada on the way home . It’s a beautiful country to visit and we had a wonderful holiday but oh my goodness the harassement from the local men was horrendous .
The money is apparently very dirty and can cause a lot of upset tummies . Don’t eat salad or accept ice in your drinks . I was so sick with vomiting and diarrhoea than the local doctor had to give me two anti sickness injections into the muscle . Feck it hurt .
We visited a lot of the ancient sites and did get harassed by locals at some of them. Hurghada is just a beach resort like so many others. I wouldn’t go back .

More great tips thank you. Feeling a lot better about it all now. Will definitely hunt down the Avon stuff to keep the mozzies away.

The omelettes were fab at breakfast in our hotel.

I got bored in hurghada as it was a bit too cold to snorkel for long when we were there and I couldn’t find a whole lot else to do. But never felt worried.

We’d come from Luxor and Cairo which were amazing. But also meant we were a bit less fresh meat looking so didn’t get much hassle. Didn’t really get much hassle anywhere, dressed modestly, wore sunglasses and had the odd completely bonkers chat with random strangers.