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T O P I C     R E V I E W
Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Hi... I'll be visiting Cairo for about 5 days from the 24th. Am staying at a place called Pyramisa Suites on Giza St. Can anyone tell me if that's relatively centrally located as far as the city is concerned? Is it a good hotel? Also... I'd like some help on Cairo nightlife... what are the good places to go? Any good bands (western oriented) that may be playing? Good clubs with a touristy/local mix? Good DJs? Would also appreciate tips on where to shop, where to eat good local food with real flavour, i.e. not the generic bland crap that upmarket hotels generally dish out.

Am 34, so legal for all of the above

Peace.
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
Your hotel is in the Cairo Red Light district. Don't get excited, it is only really HAPPENING in the summer when the Arabs are here...don't even know if the clubs open out there in the winter. No, it isn't particularly well placed for "clubbing", but if you will pick up a card from your hotel reception desk with the name of the hotel written in Arabic on it, you will be able to take taxi's in and out of town to get to where you want to be.

You will want to try "Latex" at the Nile Hilton, "Morrocco" at the Blue Nile Boat. There are others. If you start with those two you'll probably hear about others that the people there go to.

Have fun.

------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Debbie, many thanks for the reply but jeez, I don't want to be in the Red Light District. Sounds quite sleazy. I had the option of staying at the Sheraton Royal Gardens, but the only concern was that it was out of the city center, away from the metro line, and hence out of the action. The tour agent recommended the Pyramisa and their website looked good, with a number of restaurants and pubs, a disco, and a casino. Is the Pyramisa even in the city or way out in the boondocks?

I preferred the Nile Hilton but they don't have room for us (we're having a conference of about 40 people) on our dates. Any suggestions? Do you think I should consider cancelling the Pyramisa and moving to another hotel? Basically we're looking for a nice 5 star which isn't too far from the city center and the nightlife.
 

Monica
Member # 2621
 - posted
Why don't you try the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, http://www.cairo.intercontinental.com

5 star, very respectable and classy hotel in the smack of the city, it's my favourite.
Also, they have the most updated business office and that by itself is luxury when in Cairo.

You can get in touch with 'National Travel Service' http://www.ntsegypt.com
and they will arrange everything for you.

Ask for a Nile view.

Have a great conference.
Monica

[This message has been edited by Monica (edited 13 January 2004).]
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Monica,

Thanks for the tip. I'll get on the blower with the tour agent pronto. We already have a tour agent whom we've paid partially, so can't switch now. As i mentioned, they'd suggested either the Helnan Shepheard or the Sheraton Royal Gardens. the former ended up not having enough space on our dates, the latter we ruled out because it was out of the city center. So the next suggestion was Pyramisa and the rest was history, until of course, englightenment dawned in the shape of Debbie (and even though I haven't seen her, I'm sure that's an extremely attractive shape for enlightenment) who told me the hotel was smack in the middle of the Red Light District away from the bulk of the nightlife.

In case you're wondering, i am going to go see all the Old Kingdom/Coptic/Islamic stuff as well, but the importance of short distances while inebriated in the evening cannot be overstated .

 

Monica
Member # 2621
 - posted
Super...

Travel agents have discounts/commission with specific hotels, but if you insist on the Semiramis Intercontinental, they are supposed to accomodate you.

Debbie's pic is on her website

Have an excellent tour, take pictures and then post them here...

Salam
Monica

[This message has been edited by Monica (edited 13 January 2004).]
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
... assuming of course that the Intercontinental has room on those dates. the nightlife stuff is a bonus... otherwise I'm very, very excited to be heading to cairo. Egypt has always been one of those mythical places for me, and it's a dream that's finally about to come true (crossed fingers!).

I've been doing a fair amount of research (hallelujah for the web) on Cairo, so hopefully should be well prepared enough to make the most of my visit to the city.

Wanna come dancing with us?

Peace.
 

ExptinCAI
Member # 1439
 - posted
most people don't use the metro the way they do in europe and taxis are very cheap, so i wouldn't orient yourself around the metro system. conrad, marriott zamalek, sheratons (2 of them next to each other..one on the island gerizah, the other across from it.)

hyatt is a little removed from action but along the nile (nice stroll) and the place where you can book fellucas. 4 seasons is in dokki across from the zoo and a bit removed (apx 10 min by taxi to downtown museum) than the rest and pricier.


skip helnan (across the street from intercontinental) - it's shabby and more 4 star than 5, but still expensive

[This message has been edited by ExptinCAI (edited 13 January 2004).]
 

Monica
Member # 2621
 - posted
It's a short notice, but you 'll only find out if you ask! G.Luck.

For more info on Egypt, in case you're interested, try: http://www.egypttoday.com

Try and visit Alexandria for a day, see if you can arrange it by train - 2 hours - First class, 78 Egyptian Pounds. Visit The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Royal Palace gardens and beaches of Al Montazah...

Enjoy,
Monica


 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Exptin and Monica... thanks for your help. I've asked the travel agent to look into changing the hotel if possible... let's see what happens. Monica, the Alexandria idea is a terrific one... hadn't considered that possibility, although I am toying with the idea of taking two days off, and flying to Luxor to see some of the Middle/New Kingdom stuff. I've always been fascinated with the Valley of the kings. What do you think?
 
Monica
Member # 2621
 - posted
If you can do Cairo, Luxor and Alex then you've got it made...a super duper trip...

In terms of Alex, try not to miss it...it has a special cachet...check it out!
 

sally
Member # 956
 - posted
the pyramisa is located opposite the sheraton cairo (by gala square/bridge in dokki). it is very close to zamalek and is walking distance (if you don't mind a bit of a walk) to downtown (museum etc).
the location is fine, you are not 'out of town'.
i live just behind the pyramisa and believe me i wouldn't call it a red light area. (thanks debbie, ha ha).

you will be fine in that hotel.
have a nice time

 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Sally... whew, thanks for putting my mind at rest. I was having these visions of shady alleyways populated with lurking pimps who accost you with offers of sexual ecstasy as you pass by. Not that I have anything against sexual ecstasy, you know, just dont like to be offered it in dark alleyways . Brings back memories of Washington Square Park in NYC a few years ago, where people would hiss out "smoke, smoke." Hastily scored baggies would later reveal that the they were full of oregano under a thin layer of weed. Sigh :P.

Egyptian jazz... any good?
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
Yes, I appologize for getting you all worked up. The Pyramisa is not too bad and it is not in the red light district. I admit I screwed up big time on that. I was thinking it was one of the pyramid hotels, like 3 Pyramids out on Pyramids street. I see now that you did say Giza Street....not Pyramids street or road. I do appologize.

It's not a very GREAT hotel, but you could do worse. It's good enough and centrally located enough. And you are actually very close to a Metro line in that hotel if you want to use it.

Sorry again.
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
No worries Debbie. I know the intentions were good.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions... 110 volts or 220? And I'm being told by my travel agent that Cairo-Luxor return on Egypt Air will cost me USD 230 which seems steep for a short flight. Can I get cheaper prices in Cairo or is this as good as it gets for foreigners? Also, I think Eid ul Adha is on the 1st of Feb... which would mean that everything is likely to close down... so I should leave by the 31st since there won't be much opportunity to do sightseeing after that. Correct?
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
quote:
Originally posted by Raveboi:

Anyway, I have a couple of questions... 110 volts or 220?

220v. What electrical items are you wanting to bring? Shaver? Hair dryer? You might want to go manual on the shaving and the hotel might have a hairdryer if you are going to stay in a 5* hotel.

And I'm being told by my travel agent that Cairo-Luxor return on Egypt Air will cost me USD 230 which seems steep for a short flight. Can I get cheaper prices in Cairo or is this as good as it gets for foreigners?

Unfortunately, that is probably as good as it gets for foreigners without residency. It is a gov't owned airline, and it is the only one available, and it is fairly expensive for tourists. Sometimes, if you are using Egypt Air for your flight into Egypt from abroad, and you book your internal tickets at the same time, it can be a bit less expensive, but it will still be tourist prices. Your alternative would be to travel by train, at night or in the day. It is very affordable.

Also, I think Eid ul Adha is on the 1st of Feb... which would mean that everything is likely to close down... so I should leave by the 31st since there won't be much opportunity to do sightseeing after that. Correct?
Nooooo....stay and sightsee. The first day of the Eid is great. All the normal sites are open, and no Egyptians are out at them, except for the workers. I can imagine that even seeing the pyramids on that day might be quite pleasant because most of the annoying touts would be home eating meat that day. As a tour leader, I took a guest up to Alexandria on the first day of the Eid a couple years ago. It was fantastic. Taxis were available, there was no traffic on the street, and all the sites were open. It was only near the end of the day, out on the cornishe that the crowds started to appear and get crazy. Restaurants were even open that day.


------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Just shaver really. And yeah, it'd be good to go manual for a while... definitely more sensuous and in keeping with the spirit of a vacation ... even though officially this is a conference.. heh.

I think i'll take your advice and stay for the first day of Eid. When is it anyhow? 31st or 1st?

Any tips on where to go for relatively hygienic streetish food and seafood, rather than bland five star cuisine? Or is the street food generally safe to eat? I've had my hepatitis shots, and my stomach is used to eating some fairly dodgy stuff, so should be largely ok.
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
The Eid should probably start on the 1st of Feb, but since it is a moon thing, you never know 100% until much closer to the time.

Street food. A couple of hints I tell people to watch for...

Most important (I think) is that the place has running water for hand washing and dish washing. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I prefer to eat from the stationary established joints that at least have running water.

For Kosheri, I frequently take people to the Kosheri restaruant across Al Ahzar Street from the Khan. The white restaurant with red windows. You can spot it easily from the green bridge that crosses the street. I've NEVER yet had anyone get sick from that place and it is a trip. They also charge you the right price instead of inflated prices for foreigners....at least with me they always have. One place inside the Khan charged me some outrageous price for a bowl of Kosheri once, and threatening to call the police didn't change them, so I obviously won't go there again. A bowl of Kosheri should cost anywhere from LE1 to LE3 (maybe that much for a large bowl) I usually have a small bowl, extra sauce and a coke for about LE2 or LE2.50, maybe LE3...I don't pay that much attention to the small stuff, and I always tip my waiter at least one EGP, something like that. It's a bargain.

There are a number of street restaurants that are pretty good back by Midan Orabi. If you get there, you'll see them. I don't go there often, but I really should. There was lots of variety, and prices were right.

Foul and tamayia stands can be good. Watch for the water thing there. They will have foul and tamayia you can buy separately, or order sandwiches with them. They will also frequently have deep fried vegetables to sell. The potatoes are good, as well as the deep fried cauliflower....although it can be a bit greasy. (bring anti-acids, if your stomach is likely to need them, or write down the name of the medication GLYCODAL. It is the Egyptian equivalent to TUMS, and very very cheap. LE1 for 10 tablets. It is available at most Pharmacies)
Regarding the price of the cauliflower and veggies.... all I can testify to is that one time not too long ago, I wanted some cauliflower, so I told them I had 1 EGP, and I wanted that much cauliflower.... expecting to get the right amount.... at least a good taste.... I ended up with so much I gave about 1/3 to 1/2 of it away to some man standing at the front of a mosque looking like he'd enjoy it. It is not expensive.

If you want help finding these kinds of restaurants, I am available for a minimum of 4 hours. Check out my website.

------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 

Monica
Member # 2621
 - posted
In terms of food, there's a place called : Farahate in the Khan, and it specializes with stuffed pigeons...

Bon Apetit!!!

Monica
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Many thanks for the food tips. At some point next week, I will probably be found stuffing my face with the goodies you guys told me about. I was also pretty psyched to discover that there's a Cairo A-Z... I think that's going to be one of my first purchases when I land.

Another question about exchange rates... I've heard that the unofficial rate is substantially higher than the official dollar/egyptian pound rate you get through banks. Any truth in that? and if yes, how does one get the unofficial rate? Are there licensed money changers etc.?

what's the best egyptian beer? And can one get imports on tap?

Only 6 days to go... Am counting down the hours now.
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
actually... another question of a rather more delicate nature occured to me. I was reading through some of the discussions on this site, and it seemed to me that there were quite a few people concerned about the consequences of bringing someone from the opposite gender into their apartments. Now I'm not expecting this to happen, but I'm young(ish) and unattached, so if perchance a woman were to come back with me to my hotel room, would there be an issue? What's the best way to deal with a situation like that?

And on a completely unrelated subject... what's a good, not hideously expensive, seafood place?
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
quote:
Originally posted by Raveboi:
Many thanks for the food tips. At some point next week, I will probably be found stuffing my face with the goodies you guys told me about. I was also pretty psyched to discover that there's a Cairo A-Z... I think that's going to be one of my first purchases when I land.

Another question about exchange rates... I've heard that the unofficial rate is substantially higher than the official dollar/egyptian pound rate you get through banks. Any truth in that? and if yes, how does one get the unofficial rate? Are there licensed money changers etc.?

Sure there is a black market here. The exchange stores that were legal before are all pretty much closed down. Banks are the only legal place to exchange money, but if you want to illegally change it, just mention it to everyone you see and someone will take you up on it eventually. The bank rate (as far as I still know) is around 6.15, and I hear tell the unofficial rate is about 6.8 now ..... of course this is on the USdollar.
You - probably won't find 6.8 from anyone that isn't trying to rip you off, so be happy with 6.4 or whatever over bankrate you can get. Your black market guy is going to take your money to the 6.8 guy and make some money himself. If they offer you 6.8, be VERY VERY careful. There are scams that cheat unsuspecting tourists out of their money on these exchanges and if you aren't savvy to them, and count your money carefully, you can be cheated. You can't exactly go to the police after being cheated on a black market money exchange and cry wolf.... if you know what I mean?

what's the best egyptian beer? And can one get imports on tap?

There is only one company brewing beer in Egypt now. It is Al Ahram Beverages Company otherwise known as ABC. They have our two local local beers.... Sakara and Stella. They are both ok beers depending on what you are used to, and both have several varieties to choose from, including some killer alchohol content ones. 7% in one of them... I think that is Sakara 7, and Stella makes one that is like 6.5%. Becareful with those. The only one I suggest staying far away from is the one they call Stella Export. The local joke is "who would import it?" In general, it's awful....but if it's the only thing available, it's doable after a couple of anything else. You will find that they also have license to brew Carlsberg and recently Heiniken, I guess.
You won't find imported beers on tap unless it is at the Maadi House, an American club that brings in American beers by special agreement. Oh, there is one bar in Maadi called San Marinos that has Budweiser and some other American beers now and again. Someone there must be in bed with an American military person that provides it for them. LOL



Regarding your question about "getting lucky". As long as you "get lucky" with another foreign girl, there shouldn't be any hasstle from the security people. Chances of you "getting lucky" with an Egyptian girl are slim to none, so you probably won't have to deal with the problem, but yes, absolutely, if you tried to take an Egyptian girl to your room, you probably would have security knocking at your door,and a very frightened Egyptian girl on your hands.

------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
Forgot to respond about the Seafood place.

There are loads of little cheap seafood restaurants, and some are quite good. If you go into one that doesn't speak English, try ordering either a SeaBass and ask them to cook it San-gary (best way I can spell it so you can pronounce it close) style. It is a pretty universal, typically good, Egyptian way to bake the fish with spices, onions, tomatoes and whatnot in it. I've never met anyone that didn't like SeaBass cooked that way.
Also, generally Calamary is good here, as well as Shrimp (Gambary in Arabic).

Personally I really like The Fish Market. In Cairo it is on top of the TGIF restaurant in Giza on a boat in the Nile, across the street from the Four Seasons hotel. Easy to find with those directions. There is another one on the cornishe in Alexandria. I was at the one last week with customers. We got the round of salads at the first, shared one servinig of Calamary, 1/2 kilo of giant shrimps (1/2 grilled, 1/2 fried), one medium sized Sea Bass, done Sangary style, and two bottles of water. That meal cost us LE210 (plus 10% tip),I think. There were 3 of us, so that comes to just over $10 each. I think that is very reasonable. Of course the cost of the shrimps can vary depending on size and availability, so 1/2 kilo of shrimps might be more or less...same with the Sea Bass, but the calamary and the water, oh and forgot we shared one order of seafood rice too, and all of that is pretty much set price. I think it is reasonable for a nicer, upscale restaurant with a view.

------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
wow... sounds quite scary. Suprising though, that the five star hotels are so anal about that. I'm from Pakistan, which is quite conservative as well, yet have never faced that problem while traveling and staying at hotels here. Used to have a girlfriend in another city, and she'd often come and spend the night at the hotel. Even while traveling on business in Saudi Arabia I didn't experience the kind of problems you've mentioned... still, forewarned is forearmed, if i may be permitted the use of a cliche.

I'll definitely stay clear of Stella Export. Do the five stars have imports in bottles? I'm dying for some Newcastle Brown Ale, or maybe some of the nicer American beers - Pete's Wicked, Anchor... aahhh... or a slowly poured pint of Guinness.

Still... one can dream .
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
quote:
Originally posted by Raveboi:

I'll definitely stay clear of Stella Export. Do the five stars have imports in bottles? I'm dying for some Newcastle Brown Ale, or maybe some of the nicer American beers - Pete's Wicked, Anchor... aahhh... or a slowly poured pint of Guinness.

.



Not a chance in hell! Enjoy what we've got or bring your own. LOL

------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 

Raveboi
Member # 3381
 - posted
Well, assuming there are no hitches along the way, I should be in Cairo tomorrow evening. Have been hearing the weather news with dread, but the forecast now looks good, albeit a little chilly.

Just wanted to thank everyone who's been kind enough to take the time to write back and answer my questions. Particularly Debbie, who's gone out of her way to be helpful. Debbie, I'd like to thank you by buying you a drink or two after work one day... please let me know if that's possible. Will also give me an excuse to pick your brains further . Would be interesting to talk about the factors that led to your settling in Cairo.

Anyway, Cairo... here I come!
 

strangelookingnegro
Member # 151
 - posted
My contact info is on my website shown here.

But how come you don't want a Casual Cairo detour? Hmmmmm? LOL

Drinks are always welcome.

------------------
www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net for customized excursions in Cairo and beyond
Dds71@aol.com
 




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