Holiday Thread

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I went to Cairo and Luxor over a year ago. I stayed 8 days, 3 in Luxor then 4 in Cairo or something like that. I did a all in one package tour that included Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids. You must must go on a camel ride at the Pyramids! If you can ride a horse than apparantly that is the best way to experience their glory. The pyramids are absolutely breathtaking and I was not dissapointed. We also did a tour through outside the city dropping into a rug weaving factory. But here is the controversy, the workers weaving were all children. The tour guide explanation was that they were all family...what?...why is this part of the tour? Then I realised they were hoping some of us will b*y rugs. I was fascinated, shocked and disturbed all in one! One big dissapointment was that we couldnt go to the famous cairo market becuase it was ramadan time and women werent allowed (I went with my girlfriend).

I must warn you however, to embrace yourself for an onslaught of both aggressive and deceptive selling. They have many tricks to befriend you. You could be chatting with a local, very pleasant chat, until you realise there is a hidden agenda. Be very very wary for once they have you talking to them, they hang on like leaches. And then there some that are plain aggressive. For me, I actually despised the culture, and I really cant help it. I feel ashamed that I do, I should have been more open minded that this is how it is but my mind is weak and I just kept feeling angry with them all the time. Another thing is, you'll come across a lot of men who are big big sophisticated flirts (Omar Sherif was not an exageration after all), boy did they lay the charm on my girlfriend and boy did she soak it up! But I realise they flirt for your money and I kept telling her this but she just thought I was jealous and got very very annoyed with me! Um..we actually broke up on this holiday, lol.

Oh and good luck crossing the roads in Cairo, its a bloody frightening experience. Absurdly, the way the locals cross is to just get on the road forcing cars to slow down...its actually not a good idea to venture out on the Cairo streets on your own day or night stick with your tour groups and enjoy the hotel activities. Our one had entertainment, spas, etc.

Dont drink the water there, our stomachs simply cant handle it. b*y bottled water all the time. Also avoid the salads and fruits which are washed under their tap water. Many in our group got the stomach bug including me!

I'm making Egypt sound horrible but its not. I approached their culture all wrong. Its a spectacular country. Very hot too. You will enjoy it :)

[anakin]

Any views on Cyprus? Am thinking of looking into it for April, as hopefully it'll be quite warm. I know Large Marge went recently....

[tilly]

Would you go to ayia napa?we are thinking of going away perhaps to santorino!

[anakin]

er... well I'm thinking more of a chilled holiday, maybe a few things to see... AN conjures up unpleasant images of people falling out of bars...
just want somewhere not too far (bigger holiday later in the year) and preferably warm...

[tilly]

How about Antalya in turkey?santorini is not that warm so will try elsewhere.

[tilly]

Just booked my holiday to Antalya. Am so excited

[hdaniel82]

I'm going to China from April 8-26th, cannot wait!!

[tilly]

Whereabouts? I wouldn't mind going there but I just need a week off to do absolutely nothing!

[hdaniel82]

Whereabouts? I wouldn't mind going there but I just need a week off to do absolutely nothing!

Hong Kong, Guilin, Beijing and Shanghai!

[Aff]

Oh god I'm going to Spain with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew and my girlfriend for my Dad's birthday. I haven't been away with my parents in 13 years I'm dreading it!!!!