Hi! From reading all of your advice I will be sticking to bottled water during my Egypt tour. But what about the water that is served with meals? I know that being part of Trafalgar, we're going to be at pretty upscale places. But should I worry about drinking the water that is served with breakfast, lunch, or dinner? What about other beverages?

quote:

But what about the water that is served with meals?

Best to ask the local guide? You will probably have one with you the whole time that you are in Egypt.

Kristin. Just done the Egypt tour with Trafalgar.Sealed bottled water all the way. Ample supply at the meals. You can take it with you to your room for cleaning teeth. The coaches/buses had chilly bins full of sealed water bottles, which they freely handed out at the start of each trip. If you wanted more , they had more for sale. Just don't touch food such as salads, just to be on the safe side.
We had no problem,and the only people that had problems were those that couldn't handle heat.( Average 35/ 38C)
Don't bother with imodium. The TG carries `Antinal`, which is more effective, should you have any problems. He gave them freely, but you can get them at a pharmacy anyway.
Hey ! Enjoy your trip ! It's as safe as in Egypt. Just have to be sensible about it !

Thanks for your advice. We are leaving for the Egyptian Voyager tour on Aug 7. I am preparing for the heat, but can't imagine that it's too much worse than the hot and sticky days we have here in NY in August.

I'm posting another question about optional excursions that you may have some good insight into since you were just there.

Thanks again!

We were on a 12 day cuise of the Nile, and most days we had an excursion. Most, an early start, or an evening. In the heat of the day, siesta time on board.
One tour not to miss, is the light and sound show in the desert. Sitting there in the evening, a lazer light show on the sides of the pyramids and sphinx, with music and Omar Sharif's voice booming out over the sand dunes ! Fabulous. The DVD you can buy at the kiosk is good value.
Another is a short boat trip to Philae island,to where they shifted a whole temple, before creating the Aswan dam.
Obviously, anyone going to Egypt, is to look at the temples, and there are plenty to see.
The West bank, and Queen Hatshepsut's temple. Of course, the Valley of the Kings. The temple at Dendera, and Memphis and the colosus of Ramses 11. The list goes on !!
One note: If possible, avoid using the portable/ mobile toilets on site! A lady sits outside, handing you maybe two pieces of toilet paper, which you are not allowed to flush away, but put in a recepticle by the side of the toilet. Even use the toilet on the bus or ship, rather than one of these mobiles !( What the hell you can do with just two pieces of toilet paper ???? Well ! maybe you can ! I can't !!!

"I am preparing for the heat, but can't imagine that it's too much worse than the hot and sticky days we have here in NY in August."


The heat will be worse than in NY in August, but the humidity will be very low. You will do ok in Egypt, I would guess.

I always carry some purse size packets of tissues which can double as toilet paper in the event of not having enough when needed.

quote:

Originally posted by FLYING KIWI:
I always carry some purse size packets of tissues which can double as toilet paper in the event of not having enough when needed.

Those little packets of tissues are excellent for travelling, they have all sorts of uses.

Me too. I take extra in my luggage because invariably mine get used by my other half very quickly.
As for the water, it's bottled all the way for me, for cleaning teeth too. Avoid ice in your drinks too. Diseases like Hepatitis B, cholera and typhoid are water borne. Obviously some countries are more risky than others

Excellent advice from all of you - thank you so much! I am preparing for the heat. When we were in Delphi last August it was 37 degrees C, but all I remember was being so fascinated that I don't remember the heat much at all. So I hope for the same thing in Egypt! Of course, our TD then pushed back dinner so we could hang out at the pool in our Delphi hotel. So do you know anything about the "plunge pool" on the Nile cruise? Sounds like it's a good place for cooling off, but may not be set up for "hanging out in the pool".

Thanks again for your help!

Kristin

Hi! I was lucky enough to go on the "Wonders of Ancient Egypt" tour the middle of April. Top deck of the ship got VERY, VERY hot during the day. Only a few people used the small pool, and then had to wear something on their feet to get to it because of the heat of the deck. I do not remember anyone sitting out in the sun at all during the heat of the day (ie, no tanning)- everyone sat in the lounge chairs that were protected with an awning. By late afternoon it would finally be comfortable to sit in the unprotected seats. Please know, I am a person that can withstand alot of heat, yet I was even surprised by the very warm, dry air. Have a wonderful time - I certainly did! PLT

Yup - I figured that about the heat! I remember in Arizona one summer I couldn't even sit on a lounge chair by the pool because the plastic on the chair was burning! I guess in Egypt we'll get into a "tour routine" and then take it from there!

Thanks for your thoughts!

Kristin, what Egypt tour are you doing? I'm doing the Wonders Of Ancient Egypt tour departing on 30 September.

Coming from Australia I'm used to the heat. I don't go outside in the summertime during the day if I can help it. I never understood the concept of sunbaking. Why risk getting skin cancer for a tan?

Stinkerbelle. Wish I was coming with you. We handle the heat through the first two weeks of June. Supposedly the hottest time over there, and it wasn't any trouble. Early tours. Home for lunch on board. Siesta time, Then if there was a second tour that day, it was in the cool of the evening. ( Such as , the sound and light show on the pyramids.) ( Make sure you sign on for that one !)
Plenty of bottled water at meal times.( A wonderful choice of food each meal).
A chilly bin full of bottled water on the coaches. First one is free. After that, it's five Egyptian pounds each( US$1)
Have a great time. I know you will. We did !

quote:

Originally posted by Kristin O:
Hi! From reading all of your advice I will be sticking to bottled water during my Egypt tour. But what about the water that is served with meals? I know that being part of Trafalgar, we're going to be at pretty upscale places. But should I worry about drinking the water that is served with breakfast, lunch, or dinner? What about other beverages?

Hi Kristin,
As I said previously we have just returned from Egypt with TT (June). In regards to the water, we found we were supplied with ample water while on tour as you get bottled water with each meal and as soon as you get on the bus each tour. What we didn't use at meal times we took back to room to use for teeth brushing and drinking. I drink a lot of water but found I never had to buy extra, maybe only one day. In regards to heat. I too thought coming from OZ I wouldn't mind the heat, however it was very very hot. One day on deck it was about 45deg and a wind that felt like it was coming from a hair dryer on high!!! Having said that most morning trips were ok and make sure you wear light coloured loose cotton clothing. I too was warned about visiting at the beginning of summer because of the heat, but the up side is you don't have the crowds. In regards to the pool on the boat. It looked pretty murky at first. I don't think it is chlorinated. It was eventually emptied and refilled and it looked ok then but it is so hot you will appreciate the indoor airconditioning and I am someone who regularly goes to the beach at home in high temps. Even under the awning was too hot for me. No matter the temp you will absolutely love it.
In regards to the antinal tablets the TD gives out if you become sick. I would advise you research what they are before you go. I know you can buy them over the counter in Egypt but I think you should know what they are before you take them if you need them. We found immodium was enough and only neede a couple. Be sensible with what you eat, cook it, peel it or forget it is the golden rule.