Nederlands
English
Italiano
CLIMATESharm has an arid desert climate. There is more than enough sun during the whole year and rain is very rare and limited to a few hours on a few days during the winter period. Don’t underestimate the cold during winter nights. More information on average and current temperatures can be found on the weather section of this page.
CULTURE
Egyptians have been raised in a social environment steeped in Islam, a background that can color their decision-making in a way difficult for foreigners to understand. Be open for your hosts, even if you are skeptical towards Egyptians and Arabic nationalities in general. Often media stories bear no relation to reality and you may be surprised by their friendly, hospitable reception and charm. By understanding the culture and with a little consideration for your hosts, you will take an experience home that will be an addition to your diving adventures.
Devout Muslims do not drink alcohol, but they will not object if you want to have a few beers (reasonable amounts!). Imported alcohol can be purchased at the Duty Free Shop after your arrival (at present only during the first 24 hours upon arrival) and is available at hotel bars (expensive because of the high taxes). Local beer and wine is reasonable priced and is sold at off license shops.
In addition to the prohibition on alcohol, the faithful do not use drugs or eat pork, which is considered unclean. Therefore pork meat is not on the daily menu, even at big hotel resorts. Coptic believers (10% of the Egyptian inhabitants) do eat pork meat.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon. An amorous kiss, grope or clinch in public should be left for the hotel room. Egyptian men often greet each other with kisses on the cheek and hugs. This is usually between family and friends.
Explicit sexual material (magazines, photos, tapes, or records) is illegal and subject to confiscation.
DRESS CODE
In Sinai normal clothing is shorts and T-shirts during summer or any style of loose cotton. With the number of shops here that sell T-shirts you don’t need to bring much luggage. In winter wear layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put back on for cool evenings. A hat or cloth for the head can avoid a heat stroke. On the boat the wind during the winter months can be really cold, so bring a wind jacket for protection. If you are staying in a five star hotel or you want to go to one of their restaurants you may want to dress up for dinner.
If you do not want attention, stares or even harassment bear in mind the following. Bikinis and Speedos are suited only for the beach, not the streets or shopping. hot pants, minis and tiny tops are for clubbing but not for a stroll in the souk (the shopping areas).
ECOSYSTEM
It is the Red Sea’s great biodiversity that led experts to call it a natural wonder. The Red Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem. More than 1200 species of fish have been recorded in the Red Sea, and around 10% of these are found nowhere else. This also includes 42 species of deep water fish.
The rich diversity is in part due to the 2,000 km of coral reef extending along its coastline; these fringing reefs are 5000–7000 years old and are largely formed of stony Acropora and Porites corals. The reefs form platforms and sometimes lagoons along the coast and occasional other features such as cylinders, such as the Blue Hole in Dahab. These coastal reefs are also visited by pelagic species of red sea fish, including some of the 44 species of shark.
The Red Sea also contains many offshore reefs including several true atolls. Many of the unusual offshore reef formations defy classic (i.e., Darwinian) coral reef classification schemes, and are generally attributed to the high levels of tectonic activity that characterize the area.
Relatively constant water temperatures from 20 C to 30 C, minor sedimentation due to lack of rain and mild currents, and a high salt content resulting from a high rate of evaporation and a low level of humidity create the perfect environment for coral growth. The Red Sea is the saltiest life sustaining sea in the world and one of the richest in concentration of marine life of all tropical seas
The special biodiversity of the area is recognized by the Egyptian government, who set up the Ras Mohammed National Park in 1983. The rules and regulations governing this area protect local marine life, which has become a major draw for diving enthusiasts.
There are over 1000 species of invertebrates, around 200 recorded coral types and over a 1000 species of fish to be found in this natural wonder. Twenty million years ago the Red Sea formed as the Arabian Peninsula was torn away from Africa. One hundred fifty years ago it was one of the major shipping routes connecting Europe with East Asia and Australia. Today the Red Sea’s magical attraction is hidden just below the surface, where excellent clarity and mild water temperatures make diving possible all year round.
Divers and snorklers should be aware that although most Red Sea species are harmless, a few are hazardous to humans.
Coral reefs and tropical rain forests are the two most productive natural systems on Earth. As a result of excessive and negligent usage, their existence is currently at risk. In the last 20 years, humans have destroyed 20% of the world’s reefs. Coral reefs are not only the largest natural structure known to man; but also a fragile ecosystem, providing space, shelter and food to thousands of plants and animals. More than 25% of all marine species are directly dependent upon the reefs for their survival. If the coral reefs are damaged any further, the complex balance of the reef will be permanently altered, resulting in loss of productivity and biodiversity.
For these reasons, the National Parks of Egypt are taking actions to preserve the terrestrial and marine environments. We hope that you will too by following the advice outlined below: Mooring buoys are installed to protect corals, which would otherwise be damaged by the use of anchors. You can contribute by not touching or breaking corals.
Fish feeding and bottom fishing upset the equilibrium of the reef. Please do not feed or fish on the coastline. Improve your buoyancy and look but don’t touch! PADI Specialties such as Peak Performance Buoyancy and Underwater Naturalist are available to improve your awareness of the environment and help you interact with it in a mutually beneficial way.
Resting, standing or walking on a coral surface damages the fragile tissue surface of the coral animal. Exposed to bacterial attack and disease, it will often not recover from this impact. Please avoid walking on the reef. Use the floating jetties or marked reef access points to enter the water.
ELECTRICITY
220 Volt, 50 Hz
FACTS AND FIGURES OF THE RED SEA
• Length: ~2,250 km (1,398.1 mi) - 79% of the eastern Red Sea with numerous coastal inlets
• Maximum Width: ~ 306–355 km (190–220 mi)– Massawa (Eritrea)
• Minimum Width: ~ 26–29 km (16–18 mi)- Bab el Mandeb Strait (Yemen)
• Average Width: ~ 280 km (174.0 mi)
• Average Depth: ~ 490 m (1,607.6 ft)
• Maximum Depth: ~2,211 m (7,253.9 ft)
• Surface Area: 438-450 x 10² km² (16,900–17,400 sq mi)
• Volume: 215–251 x 10³ km³ (51,600–60,200 cu mi)
• Approximately 40% of the Red Sea is quite shallow (under 100 m/330 ft), and about 25% is under 50 m (164 ft) deep.
• About 15% of the Red Sea is over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) depth that forms the deep axial trough.
• Shelf breaks are marked by coral reefs
• Continental slope has an irregular profile (series of steps down to ~500 m/1,640 ft)
• Centre of Red Sea has a narrow trough (~ 1,000 m/3,281 ft; some deeps may exceed 2,500 m/8,202 ft)
FISH FEEDING AND FISHING
Fish feeding and bottom fishing upset the equilibrium of the reef. Please do not feed or fish on the coastline. Improve your buoyancy and look but don’t touch! PADI Specialties such as Peak Performance Buoyancy and Underwater Naturalist are available to improve your awareness of the environment and help you interact with it in a mutually beneficial way.
Resting, standing or walking on a coral reef damages the fragile surface of the coral animal. Exposed to bacterial attack and disease, it will often not recover from this impact. Please avoid walking on the reef. Use the floating jetties or marked reef access points to enter the water.
FOOD AND DRINK, see wining and dining.
GETTING THERE & AROUND, see chapter Getting there and around.
HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES
No matter your precautions, a change in weather and diet can result in diarrhea and nausea. Drink only bottled water and plenty of it. Eat in well visited restaurants and always protect yourself from the sun. With growing tourism along the Red Sea coastline, medical facilities have developed as well. Nowadays all major hotels have medical facilities and some have a doctor on call, So the reception of your hotel can help. For more serious matters you have a few options. A governmental hospital and a private medical center are available in Sharm El Sheikh, but we recommend that in case you need professional care you go to the South Sinai Hospital, a new and very well equipped hospital up to European standard.
Pharmacies are everywhere and are usually open from 10 am to 10 pm. Medication is subsidized by the government and is inexpensive. Prices of medication are usually written on the package
For diving related accidents two Recompression chambers are available in Sharm El Sheikh. Both centers manage and provide treatment for victims of diving accidents and barotraumas.
Hyperbaric Medical Centre:
Centre’s director: Dr. Adel Taher
This chamber was donated by USAID and is still the most popular one. The chamber is kept “state-of-the-art”. A lot of dive operations, including Sinai Scuba, are supporting the chamber by asking their divers to donate US$ 1 per day. It is not obligatory and as a guest you can refuse payment if you wish. Dr. Adel Taher received his training in Europe and in the U.S.A and speaks fluent English and German.
Sharm el-Sheikh Hyperbaric Chamber and Medical Center:
Location: Sharm el-Maya by the Travco Jetty
Telephone Number: (+20) 69-3660 922, 3
24hr Emergency Numbers:
Dr. Adel Taher: (+20) 12 2124 292
Dr. Ahmed Sakr: (+20) 12 3331 325
The Recompression Chamber at the Pyramid hospital, under the Ministry of Health.
Sharm el-Sheikh Hyperbaric Chamber and International Hospital
Location: International Hospital, Hay-El-Noor
Telephone Number: (+20) 69 3660 893, 5
24hr Emergency Numbers:
Dr. Magdi Zakaria: (+20) 12 2152 196
Dr. Mohammed El Houfy: (+20) 69 3660 893, 5
All medical treatments needs to be paid locally. Foreign medical insurance plans cannot be used. A treatment in the chamber costs about US$ 750 per hour, so a proper diving insurance is highly recommended.
Sharm el Sheikh, Sea Search&Rescue (SSR)
Location: Sharm el-Maya by the Travco Jetty
Telephone Number: (+20) 12 3134 158
Fax: (+20) 69 3664 148
LANGUAGE
Arabic is the official language and most of the Egyptian people working in tourism speak at least some English. Lots of shop owners speak Italian, Russian and a lot more languages. Most hotels also have staff speaking multiple languages.
LUGAGE ALLOWANCE
Check with your airline, some give additional 10- 30 kg for dive gear.
Normal weight limit is 20 kg and 5 kg extra for hand luggage.
Remember that some airlines do not allow pony bottles onboard, while others insist that the tanks are empty or the valves removed. Dive knives should be packed in the luggage hold and batteries should be out of the torches.
MONEY
Euro, dollars and Pound Sterling, credit cards (especially VISA – and MASTERCARD) are widely accepted.
Some notes:
The unit for Egypt currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). 1 EGP = 100 piasters. Notes are in denominations of EGP 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piaster’s and 25piastres. Coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 piaster’s and 1 EGP.
Two interesting peculiarities of Egypt currency are that each note is written in two languages, Arabic and English, and that the smaller the note denomination, the smaller it’s physical size. The Arabic side of the note has engravings of architecturally and historically important mosques. The English side depicts the legacy of Ancient Egypt, with engravings of figures, statues and temples.
Currency exchange is available at the airport, Banks, Exchange offices, Hotels and ATM machines according to the current exchange rate. Banks often have better exchange rates than Exchange offices or Hotels. All common international currencies are accepted. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. The import of local currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is prohibited.
It is advisable to change the foreign currency directly in Egypt and not prior to arrival in order to get a better rate and to avoid extra bank fees. Local currency can be withdrawn by credit card or international ATM card from any ATM machine.
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted, but generally only in hotels or big restaurants. You may avoid additional exchange rate charges by using US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.
One-five pound note is a good tip for service. Be careful not to confuse the piaster’s notes with the Pound notes when you receive money back.
NIGHT LIFE IN SHARM EL SHEIKH, see wining and dining
NON DIVER Can non-divers come on the boat?
Of course! We realize that many people bring their families when on diving holidays. We can also provide you with life-vests for use on board. Anyone is welcome and will only pay as a ‘passenger on boat’, whether they snorkel or not.
OPENING HOURS
Banks: 08:30 am to 2 pm daily, closed Friday, Saturday and national holidays.
Shops: 10:00 am to midnight or later
PASSPORT AND IMMIGRATION
Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to be in possession of a valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the stay in Egypt. It is possible for most tourists to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Ports of Entry. Please check with your nearest Egyptian Embassy for more details concerning visa regulations applying to your citizenship.
There are two types of visa available for Egypt:
• The full Egyptian visa, is a one month visa which can be obtained either at the Embassy of your country or directly upon arrival at one of the airports in Egypt. Visa stickers are sold at any Egyptian bank counter in the arrival hall of the airport and cost US$ 15. Glued into your passport and stamped by the immigration officer the visa gives you access to anywhere in Egypt.
If you want to go diving in Ras Mohamed, Dunraven or Thistlegorm, you are required to have this visa.
• If you plan to stay in the western half of the Sinai only(not going to Ras Mohamed , Dunraven or Thistlegorm) you may obtain the Sinai visa. It is free of charge and gives you a two weeks stay. This type of visa is only available at the Sharm El Sheikh and Taba airport as well as at the Taba border. There is no way in obtaining a full visa once you are in Egypt.
There is a possibility of renewing your full Egyptian visa after one month, in case you decide to take a longer break. The visa is valid for 15 days after the expiration date.
• Belgian, German and Italian tourists can now visit Egypt without international passport!
An ID, US$ 15 and a passport picture are enough.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism is announcing a very important modification in favor of the Belgian, German and Italian tourists who wish to visit Egypt.
From now on it is allowed that Belgian, German and Italian tourists can go to Egypt with only their national valid ID. The visitor will fill in an immigration form on which a 30 day, 1 entry visa will be granted and an ID picture will be attached. The cost of the visa is US$ 15 (also payable in Euro). It will be eventually possible for the tourist to extend this tourist visa for another 3 months (or more) at the “El Mogamaa”, Tahreer Square, Cairo.
Entry and exit stamps will be put on this immigration form, which has to be kept secure by the visitor.
Possession of an international passport is therefore not required anymore.
Such a visa can be obtained upon arrival at any international airport in Egypt.
For other purposes, people can obtain in advance a visa at the Egyptian Consulate in Brussels.
You are permitted to enter the country with 250g of tobacco or 50 cigars, one litre of alcohol and personal effects.
Animals must have a veterinary certificate attesting to their good health and a valid rabies certificate. Cigarettes are not expensive in Egypt, so no need to bring any except if you are smoking rare brands and you don’t want to miss it. Persons travelling with expensive electronic equipment such as cameras, video cameras, or computers may be required to list these items in their passports to ensure that they will be exported upon departure.
Do I need the full $15 visa from the airport for daily diving?
This visa is not compulsory, but if you wish to dive at Ras Mohammed during your stay, then you will require it, as the jetty police will check for it each day.
POINTS OF INTEREST, also see other excursion
Peace park, on peace road near the airport. a beautiful haven in the heart of Sharm. The park is designed to represent the relationship between peace and the environment. the park welcomes anyone wanting to relax or enjoy a minute of piece.
It has a nice garden with trees, plants and herbs. But it also offers:
The Biodiversity Information Center, were the visitor can expand his knowledge about bio diversity.
A Library with a wide variety of books on biodiversity.
A community room, a model simulation of modern day life of the indignous communities in Sinai.
The Herbarium Unit with samples of Egypts medicinal plants as well as a digital database providing userrs with additional information about thoseplants.
The Sinai Diorama for Biodiversity where visitors are shown a 12 minute film available in English, German, Russian, Italian and Arabic.
An inter active walkway with murals and models illustrating each park. Every animal and painting is an exact reproduction of the original.
The park is open from 9am till 8 pm and is free of charge.
RED SEA:
Why is the Red Sea called the Red Sea? Is it really Red?
No, the Red Sea is not always red, but sometimes it appears to be. The Red Sea got its name from a phenomenon caused by a type of algae called Trichodesmium Erythraeum, which is found in the sea. When these algae blooms die off the blue-green color of sea appears to change to reddish-brown color.
The Red Sea lies between arid land, desert and semi-desert. The main reasons for the better development of reef systems along the Red Sea is because of its greater depths and an efficient water circulation pattern, The Red Sea water mass exchanges its water with the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden. These physical factors reduce the effect of high salinity caused by evaporation water in the north and relatively hot water in the south.
The Red Sea was formed by Arabia splitting from Africa due to movement of the Red Sea Rift. This split started in the Eocene and accelerated during the Oligocene. The sea is still widening and it is considered that the sea will become an ocean in time (as proposed in the model of John Tuzo Wilson).
RESTAURANTS, see wining and dining
SALINITY
The Red Sea is one of the most saline bodies of water in the world, due to several factors:
1. High rate of evaporation and very little precipitation.
2. Lack of significant rivers or streams draining into the sea.
3. Limited connection with the Indian Ocean, which has lower water salinity.
Salinity ranges from between 36 ‰ in the southern part due to the effect of the Gulf of Aden water and reaches 41 ‰ in the northern part, due mainly to the Gulf of Suez water and the high evaporation. The average salinity is 40 ‰. (Average salinity for the world's seawater is 35 ‰ on the Practical Salinity Scale, or PPS; that translates to 3.5 % actual dissolved salts.)
SAFETY
Crime in Egypt in general is not common and violence is rare. In tourism areas pickpockets and petty thieves may exist, so be careful and watch your bags in crowded areas. Wanted items are sunglasses and mobile phones.
South Sinai is an anti-military zone since the early 70ties and Sharm El Sheikh is the meeting place for a lot of peace talks about the Middle East Crisis.
Avoid walking on the coral and wear shoes whenever you enter the water to protect your feet. This will protect you from stinging fish like the Stone fish and Scorpion fish (perfectly adapted to their environment, they both look stony in appearance and are hard to distinguish from underwater rocks). Also the Zebra-striped Lion fish should be watched from distance as its dorsal fin carries poison.
SHOPPING
Sharm offers a wide variety of shopping areas. Egyptians are very good in judging your wallet therefore the first price will always be 30 or even 50% above the value of the product. Offer 30% of this first price and if the answer is no just leave. If they call you back you can bargain till you have the deal you were looking for. Otherwise you just try an other shop. there are also shops where the prices are fixed if you prefer this.
Old market: the place where the locals go for their shopping. You will find the butcher, vegetable shops,spice sellers, supermarkets, souvenirs shops and lots of restaurants and cafes. Bargaining is necessary everywhere except the supermarkets.
Naama Bay:offers lots of souvenir shops and cafes and restaurants but you will have to deal with a lot of hassling.
Mercato: All shops have fixed prices and its an area for hassle free shopping.
Soho Square: All shops have fixed prices and its an area for hassle free shopping. Here you will find the higher quality stores and the brands. It also offers a fountain show in the evening, an ice skating ring, lots of 5 star restaurants, the only ice bar in town and clubbing till the early hours.
SPORTS
Motor sport, see quad bike trip
Ice skating, there are 2 rinks in the Concorde el Salem Hotel and on Soha Square. Both places offer lessons and rent out the skates.
Golf, an 18 holePGA championship Golf course at the Jolie Ville Golf Hotel, where you can play a round of golf ar take some lessons.
Bowling, enjoy family fun at one of the 2 bowling Alleys.Mas Bowling in Naa'ama Bay or at Soho Square.
Horseback riding, Go for a ride along the beach or a through the desert on horseback or, if you never done it before, take a riding class. Available at:
The Concorde El Salem Hotel, Omar riding stable or the Sofitel Equestrian center.
Aqua Parks, Sharm has 2 big Aqua Parks.
Cleopark, behind the Hilton hotel in na'a,ma Bay with a pharaonic theme offers a wide variety of attractions and slides.
Aqua Park in Hadaba, a huge water paradise with 20 slides and lots of games. It also has 2 hotels and a shopping promenade.
TELEPHONE
There are possibilities to call abroad from all hotels or public phones that work with phone cards (available at any souvenir shop or kiosk).
Mobile phones are popular in Egypt and it is easy to obtain an Egyptian holiday sim-card. It only cost 19 le and your calls are a lot cheaper afterwards and there is no roaming to pay. Your own phone needs to be sim free. Sim cards can be bought from any phone shop and they are found everywhere. Please be aware that you will need your passport when buying a sim-card. If you are not asked for your ID you will not get the standard charges. Go to one of the brands (Mobinil, Vodaphone or Etisalat) own stores to get the actual rate, the franchise store may add up as much as 50% on the purchase. All stores can be found in Mercato in Hadaba.
International code: +20
Sharm area code: 069
TRANSPORTATION, see getting here and around.
TRAVELER’S KIT
• Paperwork
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months after end of your stay in Egypt.)
• Money, cash, credit card and US$ are always welcome.
• Valid diving certificate, we accept certificates from all international recognized dive organizations. Please ask if you are unsure!
• Logbook
• Medical certificate, from a hyberbaric doctor (not required but recommended).
• Diving insurance, Make sure that you have a suitable diving insurance – a lot of travel insurances do not cover diving. So check the small print as some of them only cover you to nine meters.
Dive insurances are also available at our dive center.
• Protection, Hat and Sun block. sun blocks are also sold at various shops but are expensive and you may want to bring your own favorite brand.
• Medication, there is no problem bringing in prescription medicine into Egypt.
o Imodium, may be handy to have with you, instead of looking for a pharmacy when you need it.
o Anti-seasickness medication
o Aspirin, coral cut medication and insect repellent may be other items to think of.
o Rehydration salts, obtainable from all pharmacies in Egypt for ca 5 LE.
• Diving equipment, Serviced diving equipment because spare parts are not easy to find!
• Personal belongings, don’t forget a beach towel and your swimming suit. you can purchase some swimming suits in Sinai now, but they may not be your taste or price range.
• Dress code, Sharm El Sheikh and Taba are holiday resorts, so nightlife is colorful and you may want to dress up a little. You don’t have to, most of the places do not have a dress code, some insist on shoes.
• Other needs, Power Adapter (power supply is about 220 volt/50hz and plugs are two pin round fittings), Alarm clock, (Don’t count on wake up calls in the hotels, some may remember them too late)
• Camera, for above and/or underwater.
• Guide Books, Red Sea guides are also available at local book shops.
TRAVEL TIME, We are open all year round. Diving has its special highlights throughout the year.
April/ May and October/ November are our high season.
The outside temperatures are just ideal. You will most probably meet lots of dive buddies underwater.
From December until March water temperature is dropping and most of our instructors start using the Dry Suit. You will probably still be comfortable in a full 5mm suit. A swimming suit will be fine during your lunch in sheltered areas; you better bring your jogging suit for the rest of the day.
Visibility is getting spectacular in December/January,
From June until September you will definitely appreciate air-conditioned hotel rooms. It is getting really hot. On board a jump into the sea will help to cool down. Diving is a pleasure as only a 3mm shorty is required and because of the growing plankton the chances of seeing Whale sharks or Mantas are bigger. Hammerhead sharks are often seen in the Straits of Tiran and plenty of fish are reproducing. So expect fish, fish, fish!!!
Vaccinations
Please check with your foreign office for official advice. However, as far as we know, there is no special vaccination required to enter Egypt. It may be a good idea to be up to date with Tetanus and Hepatitis A.
VISA, see passport and immigration
WATER TEMPERATURE
water temperatures range between 20 degrees in the winter and 28 in the summer. So in the summer a 3 mm shorty is sufficient for most divers where as the person who get easily chilled may want a 7 mm or even a dry suit in January and February. Visibility is good all year around ranging between 60 and 200 meter. But the area is known for its strong winds, especially in the winter and unpredictable local currents.
WEATHERSHARM
The Sinai area of Egypt is a very arid desert climate with two main seasons, both of which are dry seasons.
The winter months are between November to March.
In this time the day temperature is still warm but the night time temperature can drop to about 12°C.
The summer weather is very hot and dry. The low humidity makes the high temperatures a lot more bearable, but means that dehydration can become a problem if insufficient water is consumed every day.
Rain is hardly ever seen in Sharm. Very occasionally it can be cloudy. When talking about the Sharm weather, the most important factor to take in account is the wind, most of the time from nord or nord-west.
Because the north coast (the Nabq area above the airport) is more exposed, resulting in pretty high waves, this area is less indicated for activities like snorkeling and diving, but fine for wind and kite surfing. Also the other areas can get higher waves when the wind occasionally turns more to the east.
If you tend to get seasick easily, go on boat trips only with wind speeds of 3 Bft or less, or go to the local sites on windy days instead of Tiran or Ras Mohammed. You can also ask for some preventive medication.
There is no air humidity at all, but the evenings can be chilly even in spring and autumn. There are no trees to retain the heat of the day, so it cools down quickly when the sun goes down. Take always some extra clothes with long sleeves if you are having dinner out- or inside (air conditioning) or a wind jacket on the boat.
Make sure you have high factor sun cream, sun glasses and a cap, even in winter time.
Last but not least, drink enough water. Dehydration is the main cause for getting the bends (decompression sickness) when scuba diving, and it is alos the main reason of all tummy problems. Always make sure you have a bottle of water with you. Don't drink water from the tap. Against diarrhea and stomach cramps use the local medicine. They are better suited to fight the local bacteria. The pills you bring from home are often not that effective and work only temporarily. The traces of bacteria that remain, develop again later on.
WHERE TO STAY, See page where to stay.
WOMEN
You will notice in your hotel and in the streets that you see more men then women. This is because most of the men only work here and have their families in Cairo, the Delta or even Luxor and upper Egypt. So the men work her for about three weeks after which they will go home for a week or ten days to visit their family.
In Egypt there are hardly any restrictions for foreign women but there are some tips on how to behave that will make your stay more pleasant. To travel alone is generally safe, but you will be noticed. You are better off not being too open and don’t get offended about private questions. It is natural curiosity and you can tell them politely that it is none of their business. They will not stop, but be quiet for at least 5 minutes. Even if you are not married, don’t hesitate to invent a husband. However, if problems do occur, don’t hesitate to seek help from the police or any shop or person nearby. Egyptians judge very strongly on improper behavior and will help you.
Egypt is a Muslim country and until now some women still wear the veil demonstrating modesty or Muslim piety. It also tends to discourage male advances, physical or verbal.
Just keep in mind the less you wear, the more looks and comments you will get. Topless or nude bathing is forbidden, even at hotel resorts.
