Top 5 Places to Go in Egypt

After a wonderful month and a half in Egypt, I thought it would be nice to reflect on some of the highlights of my time here and compile a list of things to do for anyone who is planning on coming for a week-long vacay, for those who will be working here for a stint of time, and for those who will get stuck in this amazing country like I did ;) 

I was initially planning on staying only for a few weeks, but quickly made the decision to extend my stay. I can't stress it enough how much I have enjoyed my time here: the beautiful sights, the culture, the history, the delicious food, and most importantly the amazing people. 

So, here it is: Anna's top five list of places to go in Egypt.

1. Dahab

Often compared to Goa, India, Dahab is a laid-back town on the Red Sea which offers pretty much any type of activity you could ever ask for: 

- scuba diving at some of the worlds best diving sites (check out www.adventurespot-dahab.com)

- wind surfing

- kite surfing

- ATV rides in the desert

- horseback along the beach 

- camel rides to a Bedouin camp...

...and the list goes on ;) 

There are tons of restaurants, cafés and hotels lining the boardwalk that runs along the Red Sea. You can lay back and enjoy the sun, smoke shisha in front of your very own fire pit in one of the restaurants (tip: most will give you free appetizers and shisha if you play your cards right), or haggle with the store owners for the best price on the souvenirs: silver lamps, spices, or my personal fav, Dahab pants ;) 

2. Sharm el Sheik

Ah, the charm of Sharm! 

There are definitely a LOT of Russian tourists here, but they have clearly caught-on to the right idea: if you're looking for a clean place to lay back and relax for a week or two, Sharm is the way to go. 

It boasts multiple five-star hotels at reasonable prices, and has a great boardwalk with most of the same souvenirs that you will find in Dahab along with every type of restaurant that you could ever hope for. 

Personally, I only stayed for one night. It was a bit too sterile and resort-y for me, but who doesn't love a few days lazing by the pool at a gorgeous hotel for a bargain, amiright?! 

3. Cairo 

I'm kind of cheating with this one: Cairo is like a huge umbrella of awesome places to go, in my opinion. After the laid-back atmosphere of southern Sinai, Cairo is a bit of a shock to the system - lots of people, crazy traffic, noise, and smells.

It is an epicentre of awesome sights and things to do. Here are some of my personal faves:

Pyramids of Giza: Who goes to Egypt and doesn't see the pyramids?! 

Answer: no one. Okay fine, maybe there are people who sneak in and out without seeing these magnificent triangular structures, but don't be that person. Just do it. 

And kiss a sphinx while you're at it. 

Felucca on the Nile River: Who wouldn't love hanging out on the Nile river on a boat, drinking Sakara beer and soaking in the sights?! 

My question exactly. 

Pyramids of Imhotep in Saqqara: Personally, I found that there was a lot more energy to the pyramids in Saqqara. It is the first step pyramid ever built in Egypt, and although it is not 'the pyramids' that everyone thinks of, I think it is still worth a visit.

It's extra fun when an ATV ride is thrown in the mix ;)

Khan al Khalili Market: If you're looking for any type of souvenir, be it a silver lamp, a camel leather bag, a rug, jewelry, clothes, alabaster, gold, you name it, you can find it at Khan al Khalili Market. It is an experience in itself to walk down the alleyways and see the different stalls, to go to one of the restaurants in the square. It is way more relaxed than I expected, and I felt safe the whole time I was there. 

Loved it!

Garbage City & Cave Church: Not for the faint of heart, but if you are looking for an intense cultural experience (trying to avoid recommending something along the lines of slum tourism that you find in East Africa...) I would definitely recommend making a stop at the APE market in Garbage City to see the amazing handmade carpet and jewelry from recycled materials, and to see the Coptic cave church that is carved into the side of a mountain.

Cairo Museum: I wasn't able to make it to the museum, but there are great exhibits on the pyramids and mummification if Egyptian history turns your crank. 

Ain el Sukhna: Only an hour and a half drive from Cairo (again, I'm totally cheating by adding this to the Cairo section - forgive me?) Ain el Sukhna is a fav weekend getaway spot for Cairo-dwellers. It's easy to get to, it's on the Red Sea (*ahem* can someone say 'beach time'?!), the hotels are super affordable, and there are great golf courses. 

What more could you ask for?

4.  Alexandria 

I was unfortunately not able to get to Alexandria during my time in Egypt, but I have heard so many amazing things about the city that I feel like it needs to be included on this list ;) 

Roman Ruins: There are Roman ruins right in the middle of the city. Such a cool contrast - historical and modern all at the same time! 

You can also check out some of the artifacts in the museum - a lot has been unearthed from beneath the sea!

Fish Dinner: Fish for dinner, fish for lunch, or fish for dinner. I have been told that Alexandria is da bomb-diggity for fish in Egypt. That almost warrants a trip here in itself ;)

Mediterranean Sea: The sea-side views in Alexandria are breath-taking. The water is a bit chilly during the summertime, so I've been told by my diving friends, but it heats up in the summer fo sho. There's supposedly also some really interesting underwater ruins - something to add to the bucketlist!

5. Upper Egypt - Aswan and Luxor

I was also unable to make it to Upper Egypt - counter intuitively located in the south of the country - but it is definitely on my list of things to do on my next trip! 

[Surprise Momster, I'm coming back for more ;)]

How to Get There: Most people get a  cheap return flight from Cairo to Luxor since the drive would be pretty gruelling even without all of the checkpoints. I also heard that the overnight train from Cairo is a good way to go - it is a cheaper and comfortable way to go. You go to sleep, wake up and have some breakfast and then you have arrived! 

Valley of the Kings: A must-see for any history buffs or those seeking a spiritual connection. Many gurus from different spiritual beliefs have come here for the amazing energy it holds. Something to experience first-hand!

Abu Simbel: One of the amazing temples in the area, most people visit it in the morning to beat the heat. If you want to avoid the crowds, try going at night when the heat has calmed down and most of the guided tours are wrapping up ;)

Hot Air Balloon: I have been told that this was the most magical thing to do in Egypt - to take a hot air balloon  ride at sunrise overlooking the pyramids, corn fields and desert. 

Cruise on the Nile River: My parents did this before I got to Egypt, and they recommended it for anyone who is a mega history buff and wants to see as many pyramids and temples as possible. It involves quite a few early mornings, but it's totally worth it for the amazing places you get to see! And without the glaring sun beating down on you ;)

Weekend Part II: Egyptian Wedding

My weekend didn't stop there. After sleeping most of the day away and washing the smoke out of my hair from the rave the night (morning?) before, I started searching for something - anything - that was appropriate to wear to an Egyptian wedding. 

I think that I tried on every article of clothing in the whole apartment and then settled on the only dress that I had brought with me from Canada with some nylons and a sweater. I wasn't entirely sure what the dress code was, so I erred on the safe side and made sure that I wasn't showing too much skin. Turns out I had nothing to worry about, but I felt more comfortable being covered up as the only foreigner in the room - I didn't want to attract more attention than I already do ;) 

Plain Jane

One of the guys that I went to the rave with the night before invited me. His name is Baha'aeldin, but everyone calls him 'B'. A lot easier to pronounce ;) It was his friend's older sister who was getting married. 

We arrived at the J W Marriott hotel at around 8:45pm and I assumed that we were already late. It was a beautiful hotel and made me feel a bit underdressed (understatement of the century haha). I met a bunch of B's guy friends, who were standing around the entrance of the event room.

There were a bunch of random instruments strewn about on the ground and I assumed that they had already been used and just left lying around, but turns out the reception hadn't started yet. 

About half an hour after we arrived, people started gathering in the hall in front of the door to the hall and all of a sudden a huge crowd of people started moving slowly towards us as musicians started playing the instruments and a group of belly dancers started doing their thang. 

The bride and groom slowly made their way down the hall surrounded by their loved ones, the belly dancers and the musicians. It was amazing to see - so much energy and sound to welcome the newly-married couple. B told me later that the religious ceremony, which is called 'writing of the book' in Arabic, takes place at a mosque a day or a week in advance and not necessarily the same day as the reception like we typically do in Canada. 

After a bunch of dancing - at one point all the ladies danced around the bride and the guys around the groom (I stayed at a respectable distance since I hadn't yet been introduced) - we all made our way into the hall at the tables. 

There was a big seat at the front of the hall for the newlyweds, with high tables for their bridal party and then big square tables for the rest of the guests around a dance floor that was lit up (the 'd-floor'). 

The dj played a song that all the guys at my table sang along with - B said that it was the 108(?) names for Allah - and then the couple came in to more applause and had their first slow dance. Afterwards, everyone joined in and danced around them - they were definitely the center of attention! 

B had prepped me on our way there, telling me that it would probs be all Arabic music. I was fine with it, and actually recognized some of the songs. I almost died with happiness when they started playing Shania Twain's song 'From This Moment'. I started telling everyone that she was Canadian like me. No one seemed that impressed haha. 

One of the guy's dates pulled me up to dance at one point and I asked her what to expect from the night. 'We dance, we take a break and eat, we dance some more and then halas - it's finished - and we go home'

It was the perfect summary I the night - after about an hour of dancing, the lights came on and everyone dug into a big buffet spread at about 10:30pm. Once we all had our fill, the lights dimmed and we danced some more until about 12:30am when the party was closed down. 

Everyone was really nice. There were some times over dinner where the conversation was only in Arabic so I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but I always found a buddy who took pity in me and was willing to translate or speak English with me :)

Entrance to the room 

I met the bride in the bathroom - typical female style - and helped her with her dress since one of the crinoline ruffles had come loose. Bonding moment fo sho. 

I also went up to the front of the room for the flower toss. I kindly stepped aside for another two ladies to fight over the bouquet. As I walked back to the table, one of the guys said 'It's a good thing you didn't catch it. Those girls would have been all over you' haha I can only imagine the cat fight that would have broke out if I had caught it haha. Oof. 

Did I mention that there was no alcohol served at the wedding? Cause there was none. Zilch. Nada. A bit of a surprise for me, but I rolled with it and drank tea instead ;) 

Anywho, I have to say that I had a great time and was so honoured to be able to experience this type of cultural event. I feel blessed by my experiences in Egypt, and so grateful for the many people who want to share and explain their way of life. Loves it! 

Weekend Part I: Egyptian 'All Night Dance Party' aka Rave

Hi friends! It was a big weekend for me here, still feeling slightly exhausted from it to be honest. 

One of the highlights for me was going to a rave on the outskirts of Cairo. 

Now, I feel like the term 'rave' has a bit of a negative connotation to it, so let's call it a big-ass dance party that just happens to go all night and into the wee hours of the morning. 

Note: I didn't take any pics from the night, so here are some from the Katameya Heights Golf Club (aka Paradise) for your viewing pleasure throughout this post ;) 

It was at a big warehouse building, and we could hear the music from a couple of blocks away as we were approaching. Naturally, it took us about ten times longer to get there than expected, with a few (dozen) u-turns and lots of stoping to ask people for directions (sometimes simply driving slow beside a taxi car and yelling through the window, fun times). 

The music was awesome, mostly house music - I'm not going to lie, I don't really know the different genres of electro music, but all I know is that it wasn't too dubstep-y (which is a good thing in my opinion - too many 'drops' and I start to go a bit crazy) and the only thing that I understood from the dj's on the microphone was 'house music'.

I know, I'm such the little detective ;) 

I went with a few of the Canadian teachers who work with my mom, super awesome people. It was mostly Egyptian guys there, and we were the only foreigners in sight. We had a bit of a posse by the end of the night haha but it was all in good fun. 

By the end of the night, I was full of redbull, smelled like an ash tray and had permanent ringing in my ears, but was able to watch a beautiful sunrise just as we pulled onto Ring Road on our way home. Overall an awesome night!

Also, I'm pretty sure my little brosef is going to be a big mixture of proud and jealous ;) he is the budding dj of the fam. 

I'll be back with Part II soon soon!

Hanging Out In Dahab, Egypt

It's official: I love Dahab. 

I mean, what's not to love? The boardwalk that runs along the Red Sea is lined with vendors selling their wares, always eager to barter for the best price on the spices, clothes, perfume, jewelry and silver lamps that cover their shops walls. 

The restaurants look out onto the water, most equipped with lawn chairs that sit only about a foot away from the waters edge. 

Now that's what I'm talking about. 

You can spend your days doing activities: diving at the amazing sites that are only about a 15-20min drive away, kite boarding or wind surfing, or just biking around. 

Or you can just take it easy, eat some delicious food, smoke some shisha and meet new friends, which is what I've been doing for the past week ;) 

I can't believe it's already been a week - it's like time moves faster here, I swear. 

It must be all the good company. Gotta love the cat companions that always seem to know the perfect time to appear ;) 

But seriously, this is the first time that I have actually gone out for meals completely by myself, and haven't spent a whole meal solo. I always end up chatting with my table neighbours, exchanging diving stories - I'm not the only one who has caught the diving bug. It seems like every other person I talk to either has their dive masters or is an instructor. 

If not another customer, I end up chatting with the employees at the restaurant or cafe. I have had many interesting conversations, and love how open people are to talk about their lives and their country with me. Most of our conversations end with something along the lines of 'hopefully people will start coming back to Egypt after the elections, insha'Allah, god willing'

I really hope that things pick up again in Dahab. I have felt so safe here - everyone is so laid back that I couldn't imagine anyone having a problem here, other than the harmless hawking by the vendors here ;) 

'Miss, you dropped something - my heart' or 'Come take a look at my shop - looking is free!'

When my Mom first told me that we were coming here, I was a bit nervous since it is located in the Sinai, which was an area that was in the news quite often due to violent protests. However, I did not realize before coming that there is a big difference between northern Sinai, which is where most of the trouble has been taking place, and southern Sinai, which is where Dahab, Sharm el Sheik and Ras Mohammed are located. Turns out she wasn't totally crazy to bring us here after all ;)

The flats that I've been staying at

I now understand how people get stuck here. I was chatting with an Italian guy at a coffee shop the other morning, and he was telling me how he had come here on vacation 12 years ago and went on his first dive. He loved it so much that he switched out of political science and started commercial diving. More than 5000 dives later, he is certified to teach pretty much anything under water and held the world record for the deepest dive back in 2007 - over 250m deep. He said that he would have 3 minutes after these dives to get to a decompression tank and spend sometimes weeks inside since it would take too long to do all of the safety stops while under water. Crazy pants. 

Anyway, I am sad to be saying goodbye to Dahab, but it's time to return to Cairo and hang out with Momster and my little sister before heading out on the next leg of my trip in about a week. 

Look out Thailand, I'm comin for ya ;)