new blog: Adventures by Disney is going to Egypt in 2011, Would you?

[LeahZ]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/07/22/adventures-by-disney-is-going-to-egypt-in-2011-would-you/

 

[dpic]

I'd go--of I could afford it. I've always wanted to find hidden Mickey's on the Great Pyramid of Giza.

 

[Racey]

OK - i dont want to scare monger, but I am going to post up exactly what my experince was and what happened on my 3 day cruise over to Cairo from Cyprus quite a few years ago.

I speak about Cairo and NOT Sharm El Sheik or other places to clarify!

Firstly the minute you step off your ship you will be harrassed by sellers. The ports allow sellers to get to those coming off and take a % of what they earn from you.

The Harbour: its a shanty town - as you drive towards the exit on your coach the houses you see are made of tin and whats so rediculous is each one has a massive satellite dish attached - so their tv system is worth more than their house. Its not nice to look at.

You will also get a policy escort from the port to anywhere that you go! Not exactly a happy holiday feeling!

Be aware that every time you get off your coach there will be sellers trying to sell you things. At the spinx I had a terrible experience that will stay with me. A young child that was filfy and couldnt even wipe her own nose was harrassing m eto buy a leather camel - i bought it for far too much money because I just wanted to get rid of her ..... when other sellers see this, it gives them a green light to harrass you too, many of which are very young children!

Then when we went to look at the Giza pyramids I stood next to a camel for an innocent picture, when the owner saw this he harrassed us for money which we gave when he started shouting loudly at us and our tour guide had to deal with it. He did nothing and I didnt even touch the camel, ride it or anything. Just the picture of his camel he see's and an income!

Now the most scariest part of the trip for me was at the main museum in Cairo. Walking round was fine, no harrassment (apart from the guy doing the talk who wouldnt let us stop to get a good look at most of it - he practically ran through! Hopefully thats a one off)

When we exited they had armed policy at the gates - fair enough. There was a family in front of us who had a teenage daughter. She was lagging behind her parents and as she got to the gate a policeman put his arm out to stop her (her parents didnt notice) and started learing down at her and mumbling under his breath, she looked VERY SCARED and quickly ducked down under his arm and ran to her parents. Se never left their side for the rest of the stay! They also did the same to me, I wasnt a kid, I was chubby .... but was told its because I had long bright blonde hair!! It scared the c**p out of me, so i cant imagine how she felt!

And dont expect brilliant things from your nile cruise. If any of you are ready this from the UK - its EXACTLY like going on a short cruise up the Thames. The food was good and entertainment was excellent dont get me wrong. the service from these guys was great - no harrassement. (i expect Disney will charter a boat just for disney people? Whereas we had all sorts of customers). All you will see are concrete buildings - and they arent shiney nice looking either. Our boat almost got slammed by another as ours turned around!

Its nothing like i expected - i expected the cruise to be along sandy dunes and grassy verges - I didnt spot 1 blade of grass!

I wouldnt go even if someone gave me a free cruise!

When you go, dont expect a wonderful place, take plenty of small bills for tips and try not to stand out in the crowd.

Apart from the bad bits, I did enjoy seeing the artifacts, enjoyed the experience of walking down into the pyramid (even if it was just a concrete room with NOTHING in it), and enjoyed staying at the hotel just outside the pyramids which are lite up at night - they look stunning!

If anyone can give an update to this kind of enviroment whos been recently then go ahead and correct me, for the sake of these DCL'ers I hope its changed