How safe is Egypt?

[FishGuy]

I was considering a Holiday on the red sea, but safety is a concern with it looking somwhat sandwiched between Lybia, Israel, Iraq etc all place that comeout badly on the news.

[Mosabama]

What ever you do ... try not to look like a turist

[FishGuy]

Hm It would be hard to blend in though being English I obviously couldnt look Egyption, also I was planning a KiteSurfing Holiday so it is a pretty tourist thing to do.

Why what are the main risks to tourists at the moment?

[Mosabama]

actually there is no risk ..
But when they know that you are a turist ... they will sell you a sandwitch that costs 50 cents with 10 Dolars...

Dont you have any freind there ? its better to be with some native all the time .. lol

[Valleysboy1978]

If you are after a kite-surfing holiday why not go somewhere less risky? Somewhere in the EU perhaps?

[Mosabama]

Hey ... Have you been to Dubai?

[FishGuy]

Hey ... Have you been to Dubai?

No never been round that area.

If you are after a kite-surfing holiday why not go somewhere less risky? Somewhere in the EU perhaps?

The main places are around the Caribbean or Egypt although the EU does have a few places such as Canaries (I know you can go anywhere but I mean specialist holidays) However I looked at a few places on the net and dont really want to travel as far as Caribbean and the Lagoons and shallow waters in the red sea look good for learning and just nice in general.

[Valleysboy1978]

I can understand not going to the Caribbean, it's expensive and probably more risky than Egypt
Canaries might be a good bet though, pretty good night life in Tenerife (Playa de las Americas) and some good bargains can be had there. What is also a massive bnefit is that there is no duty limits going to the Canaries as it is Spanish territory, and as such still in the EU

[FishGuy]

Fuerteventura seems to be the main place in the Canaries, because of the type of activity the quieter the place the better, and although I enjoy nightlife I have really had enough of the Tenerifes of this world. Lanzarotte is popular for it too but being in the mid Atlantic(Deeper waters and Cross shore winds) it's just isnt as suited to Beginers as the Red(Shallower lagoons with mass stretched of shallows and sandbars)

[FishGuy]

So going back to the original question, should there be any security/safety concerns with going to Egypt?

Or even better anyone been KiteSurfing in Egypt or been somewhere else KiteSurfing worth recommending?

[spoiledkid]

Go dubai, or even india ..

[Valleysboy1978]

I would imagine with Hamas recently winning in Palestine that entire region is going to be in a state of unrest. I wouldn't risk it myself.
Besides, there are plenty of proper schools for kite-surfing here in the UK. Granted its not as sunny but much more windy and so you'll go much faster

[FishGuy]

http://www.israelnewsagency.com/isra...aba744589.html

This just put me off.

The Canaries it is I think!

[grilkip]

Egypt is a pretty safe place. Dear old mumsy was there a while ago, didn't see any mischief going on. Egyptians are pretty bad drivers I'm told though.

[grilkip]

Btw, you are not even safe in London so...

[DeadEyes]

I know a few people who holidayed there and loved it. They had no problems except from kids selling stuff, "you buy, you buy" etc.
But just to put you off here is what the Bristish Foreign Office say.

[spoiledkid]

Btw, you are not even safe in London so...

Its a matter of probability not possibility ...

[FishGuy]

I know a few people who holidayed there and loved it. They had no problems except from kids selling stuff, "you buy, you buy" etc.
But just to put you off here is what the Bristish Foreign Office say.

That site makes everywhere look dangerous, from now on Im not leaving the village

[mendhak]

Egypt is very safe. They've built relatively better relations with Israel and Middle Eastern countries, than they have among themselves, so there isn't much threat.

It's a bad time to visit the pyramids in the summer though, as I would assume you are accustomed to cooler UK weather.

The only thing you need to look out for is over-chargers.

[visualAd]

Take a camal. I hear it is cold at night and your feet get roasted on the sand during the day. Wear one of those calling scarfs.

[mendhak]

If you go to the less-popular pyramids, you can bribe the gatekeepers there to allow you to use flash on your camera.

I should not have told you this.

[I_Love_My_Vans]

Come to Taunton, we have a some shops, and crime, and drugs etc. Not bad for the capital of somerset (twas the Anglo Saxons base many moons ago)

[NoteMe]

One of my friends is going there tomorrow. Safe as ever. It is safer then Denmark these days... And that says a lot..
'

- ØØ -

[venerable bede]

Take your Mummy.

[FishGuy]

Take your Mummy.

She can go first and test the water, I will then go if "The Mummy Returns"

[mendhak]

That pun is so bad, even my socks groaned.

Congratulations.

[demotivater]

I guess it's all relative...

link

[NoteMe]

I guess it's all relative...

link

That would happen with any poor country any day. Not something that will pass away in a week or two. Fire on a big boat or sinking could even happen to Titanic too you know..



- ØØ -

[capsulecorpjx]

actually there is no risk ..
But when they know that you are a turist ... they will sell you a sandwitch that costs 50 cents with 10 Dolars...

Dont you have any freind there ? its better to be with some native all the time .. lol

rofl, they do that everywhere! in china, in jamaica.

anyway, do some research. if it is a tourist hotspot, then the local government wouldn't be stupid enough to let the tourists be too hassled, or else they will loose money.

[frankcea]

Forget Egypt... Check out Essaouira in Morocco

[demotivater]

That would happen with any poor country any day. Not something that will pass away in a week or two. Fire on a big boat or sinking could even happen to Titanic too you know..

Thanks. I had no idea.

[FishGuy]

Forget Egypt... Check out Essaouira in Morocco

Thanks

[nemaroller]

You're not Danish are you?

http://www.andnetwork.com/app?servic...nk$2&sp=l16672

[Slaine]

My Egypt stories:

My wife and I honeymooned there a fair few years ago, things may be different now - but they sure were dodgy back when we visited.

Our hotel was in Luxor. We hired a couple of push bikes for the day and set out riding through the town. When it was time to return we were a little lost. We knew we were on the right road but not sure where the turning for the entrance to the hotel was - so we carried on riding. Eventually the road led through a large set of fields, with native Egyptians working in them. As we ride on a great number of them started to wave at us. How nice we thought, the locals are Jolly friendly - on onward we peddled. Eventually a small boy (about 7 or 8 years old) came running up to us and asked us to stop. He then said (in perfect English) didn't you see all the people telling you to go back, go further and you will get to a village that doesn't like tourists, you will be shot!".

We were quite shocked, the boy was friendly enough and we explained our problem - he then proceeded to escort us back the way we had come and to our hotel.

--------

We visited Cairo for a few days, and went on a trip to one of the large mosques there. As is Islamic tradition you are required to remove your shoes before entering the mosque - which we dutifully did, and left in the safe hands of a man, who can only be described as a complete vagabond. Our guide informs us that he is nothing to do with the mosque, but earns a small living from tips people give him for looking after their footware and we should offer 50 piastres (0.5 egyptian pound = about 10p GBP). As we wonder round the mosque I got to thinking. The mosque gets at least 1000 visitors a day, each tipping him 50 pias. that is £500 a day. Say he only works 5 days, thats £2500 a week. That guy was probably an Egyptian multi-millionaire!

--------

The week after we returned to England there were reports that a coach of tourists had been attacked and fired upon killing several of the people inside.

--------

My advice? Go somewhere else.

[demotivater]

Eeek. Sounds like you got lucky.

[FishGuy]

My Egypt stories:

My wife and I honeymooned there a fair few years ago, things may be different now - but they sure were dodgy back when we visited.

Our hotel was in Luxor. We hired a couple of push bikes for the day and set out riding through the town. When it was time to return we were a little lost. We knew we were on the right road but not sure where the turning for the entrance to the hotel was - so we carried on riding. Eventually the road led through a large set of fields, with native Egyptians working in them. As we ride on a great number of them started to wave at us. How nice we thought, the locals are Jolly friendly - on onward we peddled. Eventually a small boy (about 7 or 8 years old) came running up to us and asked us to stop. He then said (in perfect English) didn't you see all the people telling you to go back, go further and you will get to a village that doesn't like tourists, you will be shot!".

We were quite shocked, the boy was friendly enough and we explained our problem - he then proceeded to escort us back the way we had come and to our hotel.

--------

We visited Cairo for a few days, and went on a trip to one of the large mosques there. As is Islamic tradition you are required to remove your shoes before entering the mosque - which we dutifully did, and left in the safe hands of a man, who can only be described as a complete vagabond. Our guide informs us that he is nothing to do with the mosque, but earns a small living from tips people give him for looking after their footware and we should offer 50 piastres (0.5 egyptian pound = about 10p GBP). As we wonder round the mosque I got to thinking. The mosque gets at least 1000 visitors a day, each tipping him 50 pias. that is £500 a day. Say he only works 5 days, thats £2500 a week. That guy was probably an Egyptian multi-millionaire!

--------

The week after we returned to England there were reports that a coach of tourists had been attacked and fired upon killing several of the people inside.

--------

My advice? Go somewhere else.

I think after your story and more Muslim Flare ups I will definatley not by visiting Egypt this year.