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Original poster

Would you go to Egypt at the moment??

28 replies

lotsofteddies · 03/03/2011 01:19

My partner came home from work extremely pleased with himself as he'd found a very reasonably priced one week hol for us and a 9 yr old and 12 yr old for the last week of march.

The foreign and commonwealth website says Sharm is calm "However, the situation across Egypt is unpredictable and may change quickly. You should stay in touch with your tour operator"

Also if we did go I'd love to snorkel, my daughter and partner would probably scuba dive...I just can't help thinking about that poor German woman who got eaten by a shark.

I'm really unsure about the whole thing, would you go??

OP posts:
ThatVikRinA22 · 03/03/2011 01:34

me....nope.

but thats me.

holiday in cambodia springs to mind.

applesandcider · 03/03/2011 03:00

A girlfriend or mine has just returned from a swim trek holiday in Sharm - according to her, no problems at all, just a bit quiet!

smellsofsick · 03/03/2011 03:45

Whereabouts in Egypt? I have good friends working in one of the dive resorts.

smellsofsick · 03/03/2011 03:47

Oh sorry you said Sharm didn't you? Have you booked with Ocean College?

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 03/03/2011 04:05

I wouldn't - not with the shit kicking off in neighbouring Libya, and Egypt currently having the army in charge -

hollyround · 03/03/2011 07:57

My in laws just had to cancel their trip to Egypt as they couldn't get travel insurance for there at the moment. We were planning on going to Tunisia later this year but are off elsewhere as its not worth the risk to us. Hopefully we can go there next year...

Original poster
lotsofteddies · 03/03/2011 10:15

Interesting about the travel insurance, didn't think of that.

Yep it would be Sharm, at the Aqua Blu, looks great for kids, tons of slides etc, I woke up this morning tempted to go but after reading these replies just don't know again! Haven't booked anything for diving before SoS, just thought we'd use whoever was local, as did on a previous holiday.

OP posts:
CaurnieBred · 03/03/2011 13:04

PIL came back from Sharm about 3 weeks ago - they were there when the whole situation was at its worst. They knew nothing about what was going on apart from what we were telling them and watching the news. All the other nationalities were evacuated (and very peed off about it too) and the hotel was like a ghost resort.

Sharm and the Sinai is very off the main track from mainland Egypt. I would go in a heartbeat if we weren't off skiing instead!

Hersetta · 03/03/2011 14:10

I definitely would (we were in sharm at Xmas). Sharm in 6-8 hrs drive from Cario. Bit like saying you wouldn't go to Edinburgh if there were riots in London.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 03/03/2011 16:06

Hersetta - it wasn't just Cairo that there were riots in. And if I were a foreigner, and the government had been overthrown in the UK nad the country was in the hands of the military, with people still camping out in Tahir square and unrest widespread in other neighbouring countries as well.

I'm pretty sure that the FCO wouldn't say that "However, the situation across Egypt is unpredictable and may change quickly." without good reason. Who'd have thought at the stat of the year that by the middle of February Mubarak would have stepped down.

Travelling in a country where their is unrest - even if you are miles from the "key areas" isn't actually much fun - especially with children. I've done it - was a lovely 3 weeks we had visiting family and friends, but it was tense and I wouldn't have done it it wasn't for the fact we were visiting family.

threefeethighandrising · 03/03/2011 16:14

My friends are in Dahab on a week's holiday, staying in this holiday villa. They're due back tomorrow I think.

I know they've had a lovely time. They went as the reasoned Dahab is miles from Cairo - like CaurnieBred says "Bit like saying you wouldn't go to Edinburgh if there were riots in London."

I'll ask them about the details when they get back.

I know nothing abotu Sharm though I'm afraid.

goodasgold · 03/03/2011 16:23

I see that lotsofteddies is the only one worried about the shark attack.

Sky News reported the Governor of South Sinai insinuating that Mossad Agents may have dressed up as sharks, or that it was a real shark trained by Zionists.

If it is really dangerous surely the FCO advice would be not to go.

everlong · 03/03/2011 16:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

smellsofsick · 03/03/2011 17:10

My good friends live and work in Sharm and tell me although they are quiet, it is still business as usual. They haven't really been directly affected and have no intention of leaving and coming back to the UK.

Anyway hope that helps.

Figgygirl · 04/03/2011 12:34

We are booked to go on a Nile Cruise in November. I popped into my travel agents when I was passing, to see what the state of things were regarding holidays there - they said that Nile Cruise ships were still operating.
You could ask the Destination Experts on the Trip Advisor Sharm forum - they tend to know exactly what is going on there. They don't seem particularly bothered by the troubles at present.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g297555-i9225-Sharm_El_Sheikh_South_Sinai_Red_Sea_and_Sinai.html

angel1976 · 04/03/2011 20:32

We just cancelled our Easter holiday to Sharm as well... :(

If it was just DH and myself, we would have gone in a heartbeat but because we have two little boys, I cannot forgive myself if I ever put them in a situation that could (however remote the chance is!) cost them their lives.

We will just take a few days off and go to Peppa's Pig world instead! Ha ha.

Monty27 · 04/03/2011 20:44

My dsis was in Sharm last year, her 10 yo dd kept insisting she's seen a shark when she was in the sea, they hadn't believed her, but they do now Shock

I stayed in an Aqua Blu in Crete last year, our room was lush :)

But, I would be very apprehensive about going to Egypt just now tbh.

There should be loads of really good deals for the end of March.

Whatever you do, hope you have a relaxing and safe holiday.

Kiwinyc · 04/03/2011 21:40

Friends (with a 4yo and 11 yo) just came back from one of the Red Sea resorts in Egypt at Feb half term and had a wonderful time. Theres is NO SIGN WHATSOEVER of the troubles in Cairo, which is hundreds of miles away.

They said it was very quiet and as a result they got upgraded at their hotel to a huge suite and were treated like kings. Everyone they met were so happy to see them, to have people staying.

I would NOT HESITATE to go and wish I could book a holiday there right now!

Ripeberry · 04/03/2011 21:43

Well we were going to Morocco, but are not going anywhere in North Africa now as the whole area is in upheaval Sad

Original poster
lotsofteddies · 05/03/2011 21:19

Thanks for all your replies. We decided to book in the end, so off to Sharm 23rd March. Partner reminded me that London is on high terror alert at the moment and I wouldn't think twice about a day out in London. Angel, sorry you cancelled your holiday, you must have had quite strong feelings to have done so.

We decided to book The Holiday Village in the end as it's on the beach and lots going on for children.

Goodasgold you are right, I'm terrified of sharks more than anything. Looking up shark attacks on Youtube isn't helping! Monty your post is harrowing. I think I'll have my period that week too, and I'll be taking tins of tuna to eat, so I'll be a shark magnet!

OP posts:
angel1976 · 05/03/2011 21:33

Have fun!!!!! Honestly, I can't imagine anything bad happening... As long as you can swim faster than an old lady! LOL. Sorry, bad joke... Grin We definitely want to go one day but we think it's probably a waste at this stage with the kids so young and us trying to move in the next few months...

dontdillydally · 06/03/2011 22:17

my friend has just returned from the Holiday Village and said it was very quie, but the place was fantastic, great kids activities.

The snorkling they have brought further into the land so not brilliant for seeing a good selection of fish but ok (due to sharks)

Northernlurker · 06/03/2011 22:19

Colleague recently went to Sharm (nervously) - was totally fine. Quiet and lovely.

Original poster
lotsofteddies · 09/03/2011 00:08

Oh no, really dillydally? That's scary, that's saying "we know there are sharks around so we'll try to prevent further attacks" EEEEEEK!

OP posts:
Hersetta · 10/03/2011 14:30

have a great time. We've been to the HV twice. DD loves it....say hello to bobby the camel for us!

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