Hi Emma, We just got finished our tour and had a fantastic time, with a super group and great tour leader.
You were asking about cash, first of all traveller's cheques are not a good idea - too difficult to cash. Wear a money belt. We used ATM's a couple of times as did others in the group. Only one English girl had a problem, but did find a machine that would accept her card. We found it easier and cheaper to use Egyptian pounds rather than US dollars - there are money exchange offices in most places.
Shopping is not too much fun. I have shopped and bargained at the bazaars in Asia, but found shopkeepers very aggresive in Egypt, and don't give you time to look at the merchandise before they start dragging out things you don't even want to buy.
Always have a couple of Egyptian pound in your pocket as if you have to use a washroom, you have to pay one pound for toilet paper.
Anyway, have a great time. The country is beautiful, the sights are many. Jean
Hi Jean,
Thanks thanks very much for taking the time to get back to me, it's much appreciated. So glad you had a fantastic time, less than 2 weeks to go for me now!
One last minute question, did you go into any of the tombs at the Valley of the Kings?? I'm a bit worried about teh claustrophobia and crowds going in there and wondered if it was easy to go into less popular tombs??
Thanks again for your help and advice,
Emma
Hello Jean and Emma,
Jean - I am so pleased you enjoyed your trip in Egypt and thanks for your great advise.
One thing I would also take Emma is anti bacterial hand gel!
Happy travels.
Kate Hudson
Valley of the Kings
Emma, I don't think you will have any problems at the Valley of the Kings. I didn't find it confining in any way, although we did not go into the tomb of Tutankhamun.There is an excellent museum in Luxor within walking distance from where the Melody docks, and has two mummies on display and is very well set out. Hopefully, you will get a chance to visit on the free afternoon.
Just be aware of anyone stopping and asking if you remember them "a waiter on the Melody" and asking if you would like to visit his store. This happened to us on three different
occasions, we had never seen them before!!! Just a ploy to try to get you to shop in a store where they are obviously paid to get customers in. Not sinister in any way, just trying to drum up business!!! They must watch people disembarking from the various ships. Anyway, have a great trip and make wonderful memories!! Jean
Thank you!
Hi again Jeamn - thank you so much for that, you are a star!!! That's been my main worry for the whole trip as I didn't want to miss out but was worried about freaking out down in the tombs - I feel much more relaxed about that now!!
Thanks again for all your tips and advice,
Emma
Arrival Transfer
Hi Emma, just one more thing I should tell you. After Customs, we expected the Imaginative rep. to be with other reps with name boards but after waiting, we met him after exiting Customs with our luggage in the public meeting place. We then had to wait for another couple who thought like we did, that he would be at Customs too. The Egypt Country Dossier brochure actually explains that this is the meeting place for certain flights. Jean