Egypt travel notes at the beginning of 2007 and the latest Raiders (6)

February 15-16 February: Baja de OASIS, Crystal Mountain, and black and white desert tour

In the morning, from liberation square beat (5 L.E.) into the soil targ Mann long-distance station, take the West Delta Motors of coach travel to Baja de, car after Giza, then entered the Western desert.

In the flat desert driving for about 4 hours, arriving at noon, de Baja Korea girls husband – a dark complexion, a wonderful Egypt people drove his four-wheel drive Toyota jeep came to meet us and went straight to his house. At home we finally saw the Korea girl looks very pretty, it's hard to imagine how she can in Africa Egypt, but was so remote countryside life, is the power of love? "in their family also had rubbed against a Korea signs of Egypt-lunch, see the girl was able to keep house. Then we drove out.

Jeep along the Baja de-law bluff wax (Farafra) oasis of road, a desert in a unique landscape, was originally a yellow desert, which suddenly appeared with the black dot, almost turned into a black desert, the driver stopped, let's take a closer look.

Originally, the yellow sand in all over the Black Rock, and distribution is so dense that give a false impression of the desert is black, so this is the origin of black desert. Riad from Baja to the method's bluff wax about 100 km between the roads on both sides, all this black desert scenery, very magical. While we appreciate the car window black desert scenery, the driver will stop at a small Habitat, this small Habitat is very common, but close to, the original rocks are formed by the pure quartz stone, quartz stone in the Sun also aglow. This is the famous Crystal Mountain, feeling a little disappointed, if not specifically reminded that no one will think this is the Crystal Mountain. Jeep ride along the road and then a period after he left the road, walk through the desert, not for a moment, a unique landscape, the strange white rock from desert, these white rock like a surreal sculptures continuously appear in the desert, and as more and more, the car moves through it, feel as if they came to the outer planets, here is the famous white desert, dreamy white rock is limestone after tens of millions of years of erosion, the formation of such a rare natural wonders. Finally, our car in a huge cock-rock former foothold. Again see the desert sunset, when the sunset over the white rocks, and the wonderful pictures and again I moved, touched.

That night in the desert is also a lifetime, we surround the edge of the bonfire, listens to Egypt driver sings the Bedouin ballads, while eating roast chicken, chicken stewed with potatoes, delicious food, atmosphere, feeling comfortable.

At this point even a little Fox unsolicited, drifted around us, when we threw out of chicken bones, it is also not afraid of people, come away and ran, fun, little Fox's visit to our atmosphere climaxed. Eat and drink enough, bonfire, we went out together when you lie down and listen to the wind, looking at the night sky full of stars, Kiss. This is my first time to experience the desert sky, the sky full of stars are so bright, clear, as if the arm to pick. The silence of the desert night sky full of mysteries, occasionally a Meteor night, we cry out for a movie. Counting the stars, will I fed into a pleasant sleep in Africa; Harald desert night slept very sweet!

The next morning, breakfast is back to Baja de OASIS, passing through a hot springs, the water temperature is moderate, we in it a good wash shampoo, good is not pleasant.

Riad from Baja to Cairo car are preserved from the RAF out of passing cars, so the tickets are a little nervous, we must advance booking. We invite the Korea girl help buy morning 10: 00-coach back to Cairo. This trip to the desert trip very memorable, but also our upcoming trip to Egypt a bright spot.

17 February ~ February 19: the days of leaving Egypt

February 17 is the Chinese lunar new year, my Egypt tour has come to an end, and studied in Egypt travel has more than three weeks, this time is was fleeing.

In order to be the first great world miracle in more depth in my mind, I decided to go see a pyramid, early in the first x 357 road to Khufu side door, scraping up wind and roll up large areas of dust, the annoying dust storms that made me even I can't turn on the camera. Decided not to attractions, wait for a while. More than half an hour walk to Sphinx side door, saw dust still no signs of decreasing, so he decided not to enter the pyramids, but directly back to Cairo Coptic teach old town. First take the 777 road to JISA Metro station, then take the subway to the Mar Girgis station, Mar Girgis is Arabic for "San Giorgio" spelling. Old town at the other side of the railway, you need to have railway on the bridge and then outbound. Coptic diocese is the oldest city in Egypt, in medieval times, Cairo areas people are Christian, but according to the New Testament, Jesus was a once in this bypass difficult, therefore it can be considered Christian holy places. Later the Arabs occupied Egypt and appear only after we visited the Islamic City. Standing on the bridge can be seen on the St. George chapel decorated with the cross of St. George's Church, circular dome is the largest church in the old town, as the 10th century a.d., the building is in memory of the 3rd century a.d. by Emperor persecution of monk St. George built. St. George's Church is a typical Orthodox Church of Greece, free admission. Enter the Church after the first visit to the second layer, which is a dark larger Chapel, which was an unpleasant taste of spices, had some hanging on the wall and the Church of Saints like. Church of the underlying is the Roman ruler of prisoners, there was held the Dungeon of San Giorgio, and display a number of instruments of torture, beatings, Saint George, particularly on the wall a few description San Giorgio is a thorny round penalty and was beheaded in oil painting, are very ghastly terrorist. St. George's Church courtyard behind is a vast graveyard, crowded arranged the tombstone of all kinds, grotesque, inside walking feeling very bad, I was alsoIn it turned left. St. George's Church on the right is the only fee of attractions in the old-Coptic Museum, with student card tickets 15 L.E., heard about this Museum is very small, I didn't go in. Further to the right is the Virgin Mary Church, also known as vacant Church, white towers, after repairs, look very pretty, but all Church furnishings are the same. To the visitors in addition to tourists, there are a large number of Christians in Egypt.

Flash has been in the evening, because today is Saturday, long heard that famous Sufi dance winter show time for every Wednesday, Saturday night 7 points, then hurried and then take the subway to the station, walk to Attaba Aizi Har mosque.

Sufi dance behind the supermarket in mosque beside the pacct Palace, very hard to find. When I came to the pacct Palace entrance, has no visitors, only a few guards stood a ask to know the original performances Sufi dance actor invited went to Germany. Nearly two weeks of performances are cancelled. I really didn't expect, originally scheduled for a new year's Eve most meaningful activities thus Clark. So I had to go to the "examination" Hahn Khalili market, as my new year's Eve show.

Chinese lunar new year coming, the hotel has finally seen the Beijing visitors, there is a group of Taiwan visitors heard gunshots in Chinese, good not excited.

However the day was rainy sky, this is the number of days to first encountered rain. This arrangement is to go from Cairo 30 km south of the town, on the outskirts of Helwan from liberation square metro road is a bit far, direct, to take nearly an hour by Metro. Here experience into Egypt people calm on the other side of life, a Helwan MTR station, is a lively bustling bazaars, crowd, various fruit sold here rich variety, price is very cheap, fully embodies the Egypt as an agricultural country side. At the risk of drizzle, I went to the courtyard and garden in Tokyo Japan, the Japan courtyard actual is built by Chinese style, which placed more than 40 Japanese Buddhist statues, is the local people called the "Ali Baba and the forty thieves". However, the yard grass neatly in Egypt and dirty poor environment, so a quiet place is also very rare. The Helwan to simply pass the time, but also look at Egypt ordinary people's living conditions.

By subway from Helwan back to Cairo, passing through Mar Girgis station, once again went to the old town, because yesterday also leave out a number of attractions.

From the right side of the St. George Church has an underground passage, a pass-through to the depths of the old town, and went in a run, it was kind of unique beauty, cobblestone. Enter the underground road first sees a large antique and souvenir shops, everything here is what I see in Egypt, the most exquisite, of course, the price is high. In the old seven turned eight, then visited the Church of St. George monastery, Santa Barbara, the en AI in Graz Cathedral and Sergius Church. The present en AI Graz Cathedral is a synagogue, the decoration is gorgeous, it appears that the Jew is rich. Sergius Church is the most popular, because it has a basement, it is said that Jesus was a once in this bypass difficult, here you can see many locals in Egypt the piously worship. Leaving the old town, across the street bridge over the railway, here is the authentic old residential areas of Cairo, a bit like slums, broken, dirty streets, in a few away from the House, you can see a large group of Egypt were huddled together quietly watching football, life to ease also. Through this piece of slums, came to a spacious roads, through an old iron bridge, on the Nile in the Roda, the island's environment than Egypt urban intensity in this Green tree complements the island on the Nile, have a special feeling, away from the noise of downtown, in the Roda at the lounge also charming scenery.

In the days of leaving Egypt has finally arrived in the morning I walked in the Nile River side, a last farewell to Cairo, the liberation square East parking take the road heading to 27 Airport Terminal 2.

Cairo International Airport is very small, international export only 8 gate, very hard to find, the new airport is under construction. 2: 00 pm, I boarded on time card terminal that mark with the games in the roar of the flight, the engine sound left in Cairo.

PostScript

This my Egypt trip total cost is $ RMB 7045 (tickets $ + international student card 6315 80 play + visa 650) + $ whole, be regarded as a relatively thrifty tours.

I have been to self-tour the limited number of countries, Egypt trip is unforgettable, it is of course difficult. But I also had the following experience: the beginning when you first arrived in Cairo with excitement and fresh, and the difficulties encountered, frustration, homesick, finally in Egypt, mixing more oil, and like Egypt, which was quite sad when you leave. Egypt left me too much experience and deep impression, ancient civilization, diverse culture, mysterious religious and magical natural scenery makes my lifetime, more friendly, hospitable people of Egypt during… help, it should be said that if you do not have them, as our backpackers thats in Egypt. Egypt exercise I deeply feel that China's influence in Egypt is expanding, the Chinese people in Egypt is positive, China and Africa is not far away.

Tip:

² how to schmooze with Egypt? online about Egypt people there are too many negative messages, like in Egypt over a liar, I went to Egypt is misgivings and vigilance.

But the actual circumstances to be treated differently, it should be said that in Egypt to engage in dealings with foreign tourists who cheat the majority of the industry, but also in the service sectors of Egypt people generally love gains. Because visitors to Egypt first deal with these people, so give the impression that Egypt is everywhere. In fact, ordinary people are very warm and Egypt, very kind. As for the so-called liar, just want to get some money, do not have to care about, if you do not want to be slaughtered, firmly rejected all additional service, don't you forget about Egypt sent onsite service as a row of live LeiAs it is bound to accept tips. For all unreasonable charges, can be hard to turn down, to publicly say "No", they are wrong, do not dare to play for real. It's important to note: in Egypt in dealings with the service, when they said "No Problem", he must be playing for deceptive foreshadowing. I encountered this situation many times, when people say "Egypt No Problem" would have a problem, so we must be vigilant to prevent fraud. Ask ask things to look for ordinary middle-aged Egypt, their English is good, to be able to get help with enthusiasm. In Egypt was a good-looking, nationality, asked for the names of the experience will be very much, this is also the passion of Egypt's character, its aversion to them on one side, it opens my heart than with their more exchanges, this is also a travel in the fun for Egypt generally friendly to the Chinese people, not like some Asian countries are always high on the European beauty look, etc. In Egypt there are a bunch of 17, eight-year-old boys, quality is not high, they are pure harassment, mouth "putt-putt ', '" sound, that is a very impolite behaviour should resolutely resist.

² in Egypt for food, clothing, shelter! 1, February is the winter of Egypt, but the temperature is very high, you can put single; night cooler, but generally wear a shirt, jacket and danku is enough, I'm in Egypt also often wear sandals.

But the night in the desert and the Sinai mountains of temperature is low, especially if you want to climb Mount Sinai in the morning, the temperature must be-and be sure to have a thick sweater, gloves and thick pants; the wind in the desert at night, preferably in Egypt local buy a Arab-style black and white turban, very practical. About eat, is specially designed by the people, the principle is not able to get slaughtered. Egypt has many restaurants for foreigners, is characterized by good outside decoration, price, quantity, but also your so-called tax and service charge, that is pure nonsense, in addition to the ocean of the fast food has statutory 10% tax, no tax. My principle is only going to Egypt local people go to restaurants, directly to the boss "Egyptian price", and the price are written on the wall, this restaurant to hotel boss, supermarket attendant or ask any friendly locals. Egypt local packages quantity, the price is around 10 L.E., up to 15 L.E.. Another is to look at the menu, if the service charge and tax, often in very small words written in the menu where the most humble, do pay attention. Every time I see the prices are not suitable or service charge and tax, turn left. Available at this time the boss will come up with a lower price point or no service charge for the menu, this one is really cheap for Egypt. About live, is also suitable for people, one thing to note that the room rate is Egypt can bargain, every time I want to cut down 5 to 10 pounds will live, or turned away, tubes, the boss will surrender. When choosing a hotel, it is necessary to pay attention to what is around the mosque, should stay away from the mosque, 5 o'clock in the morning will be early prayer Tooting waking. On line, Egypt's subway, bus, train and coach ticket cost is very low, low than China, should be fully exploited. For example, from liberation square to soil or long distance bus station targ Mann Rameses central station, you can take the subway to go completely. As for the cheapest rental, Cairo, if several people playing on about is very cost-effective. The most important thing is to ask passers-by or hotel boss about a good price to its destination, ask the driver to give reasonable prices, generally more distant 10 L.E., near point 5 L.E., if drivers are too, immediately (one way). Egypt's drivers is still very good, as long as you understand the market, you will not get slaughtered. The tickets are around the minibus is 50PST., occasionally met bad drivers to, immediately called and asked him "Why", the driver will mute the sound in General. Especially when many people, the driver will be affected by other passengers condemns Egypt. In short, we must have the courage to give all improper charges said "no". The last point is about the toilet in Egypt, this is indeed a difficult, very difficult to find a public toilet, this is also the characteristics of the developing countries, the ' 80s and ' 90s in China. Therefore the best at the hotel before you go out and drink clean water. But in General attractions or take a rest site has a toilet, but need to pay a tip, if you do not want to give, do not accept delivery of toilet paper. If you manage to eat bad stomach, certainly not a temporary find toilets.

² to learn some Arabic! in Egypt was cheated ripped mainly the language barrier, therefore, it is important to learn some Arabic, at least from 1 to 10 of Arabic number character must play, or be very inconvenient.

In addition, Arabic dishes on the menu you want to be familiar with, I was at dinner time, Egypt next to people who help me to write Arabic dishes in a small, anyway, is the roast chicken, meat balls, Kaufmann, roast lamb meal that few Arabic words, 28 letters, Arabic menus directly anyway, it looks as small restaurants on the General is not me. Also learn the Arabic word for sugarcane juice, fruit juices, all shops in general the price are written on the wall, there are several times, the wall with a glass of PST. 50, boss insists I 1 lb a Cup, I mean the price on the wall, he immediately without words, in Egypt, I always drink is 50 PST. one cup of sugar cane juice.

² carried must be the change! in Egypt, by taxi, bus, lunch, the toilet and many other places really do not find it! to how much you want to number.

Therefore, to Egypt to exploit every opportunity for change, a person must have at least 20 1 L.E. and 15 50PST. Notes travel is easy. For small change can make use of the shopping, buying a ticket, tickets, buy the attractions every opportunity for change. Also be looking for when I have to head teller. As mentioned above, is engaged in the service industry of Egypt who gains generally heuristically look less, if you respond, he earned it, therefore, found that the problem must have the courage to point it out.

² how to travel to Cairo International Airport from downtown Cairo airport?, about 20 km, taxi price is around 40 L.E., didn't want to corrupt the single

As backpackers, but also can select very convenient bus between downtown and the airport. How to take a bus to the airport in many Raiders and reference books are very fuzzy, but this time I take a bus to the airport, take the line completely. At present to liberation square Terminal and connect the airport and the city bus has 356 road and 27 road, are air-conditioned cars, L.E. 2 fare. Liberation square station is located in the liberation square East parking lot, near the Cairo Museum; and when you want to go to the airport with stops at the airport car park, its terminus is in Terminal 1, near the bus parking lot. General international flights are arriving at Terminal 2, departure airport car park here for some distance, you can arrive at the airport exit take a free ferry car to the airport parking lot, note choosing clear landmarks just above the "Car ferry car Parking". Arrival at the airport car park (Note: not the airport bus car park), the road to find station crowded places, etc., all into urban car will go through directly find 356 road and road cars to 27, arrived in liberation square, the premise is that you must learn Arabic number sign. Similarly to the airport from the liberation square, just tell the driver to Terminal 2, the driver will stop at the airport parking lot, you don't go to the airport bus parking lot. Get off and looking above marked "Terminal 2" Ferry car, you can reach the airport smoothly. Cheap and convenient, even if the traffic jam, about 1 can also be reached, it is strongly recommended that single donkey select this option.

² how to Giza currently from Cairo city to Giza and Saqqara and Memphis and Dahshur round package rental is around 200 L.E..

For saving single donkey can select bus. Go to Giza's bus have two options: one is stopped before the Cairo museum 357 air-conditioned cars road, L.E. 2 fare. Because there is no fixed stations, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the number of characters, see Arabic automotive waylaid astute eye. 357 road docked Giza's hufu side doors, the note is not a Terminal, to station General car Egypt people will take the initiative to remind you. Get off and see the gate, along the winding uphill road walk 10 minutes to go in there will be lots of Egypt to cheat you said "so far away from the door, you need to fight", or do you mean an error of camel road, they are not ignored. Another method is to first take the subway-induced JISA plant (Giza Metro Station), get off and turn right to Giza Avenue x 333 road, to the Division of the Sphinx side of the gate, fare 50 PST. This has the advantage that you can avoid the traffic jam in downtown Cairo. 333 road just docked in the Division of the Sphinx side door front Street to get to the gate will also need to take a short, get a ask to know. Now, Giza and has not the general chaos of a second, but in particular, is a place where various cheats gathered. Particularly scenic stretch of the camel into the human's black sheep, the left part of the global – Egypt book has stated: the camel is easy down hard on, don't be a blackmail is difficult to end. In the back of the plane, I met a female tourists should be led by the camel Egypt who snatched her purse to take $ 50, just out the robbery. Therefore, in Giza tourism must be vigilant, all considered to be a free service please don't touch, don't ride a camel or photographed, or trouble be sure footed. Personal opinion, unless the interested in archaeology, Segala and Dahshur pyramid can be discarded.

² on the Cairo-Luxor or Aswan of ticket issue.

Egypt also like like China train ticket privileges corruption exists, is one example, in the tourist season, Cairo to Luxor or Aswan basic train, so by travel agents of monopoly in Rameses central station buy overnight train tickets is not possible. But there are two solutions: (1) would like to save money and are not afraid of hard mix can be directly on the bus, going to Aswan direction overnight train 20: 30 and 22: 30, two trip 8 platform departure; after boarding a class directly, normally available directly to the walking up and down on the train's conductor buy tickets to Aswan tickets student card discount pricing for 66 L.E., no fine. (2) do not want to suffer of Alice in Rameses at the entrance of the central station just tourist train ticket office to purchase a sleeper, and only 20: 30 departure of the bus fare is US $ 60; ticket includes a night, breakfast, beverages required another billing, student ID card no discount. In fact, any place in Egypt by train can be directly on the bus and then buy a ticket, so many times I saw Egypt is so dry, second class cars are generally in good condition by dissatisfied than China train much more comfortable. Also from the Egypt http://www.seat61.com/egypt.htm can all train timetable.

² about Exchange issues.

In Cairo Exchange is easy, whether the airport or City Bank, exchange rate unification, anyway I in Egypt for 20 more days not changed, the 100 dollar to El pounds of purchase price is 569.25 L.E., selling price is the price difference between 570.50 L.E., very small, there is no Chinese banks as black. Extra El points in the airport departure hall window back to the dollar, there is no limit, or you do not need to prove. In liberation square Exchange is the most convenient place Tala ' at the Thomas Cook Harb Street, it is not a Bank, which is a chain of tourist services.