Oh! : 0
Ducks are welcome too : )
Will you consider writing your review about Sultan Gardens plz?
Or even a trip report? Not much info about that hotel in the forum listings; could be helpful.
View on the Tavern Bar too. I've not been, so food & drink advice would be good.
Travelling with babies (& ducks) too. Nappies, baby supplies etc. There you are; plenty to keep you busy now : )
Tips for 1st Timers
by Sylph on Mon Feb 25, 2008 18:25 pm
Hi! I'm off to Sharm El Sheikh for the first time in March and have a 3 yr old girl and 7 yr old boy. We are all blondes - even my husband.
I'm not the sort to go topless or wear thongs anyway but would like to be respected by the locals (when in Rome...).
Basically what bits of flesh on display will offend the locals? (apart from the obvious ones)
Is the same amount of flesh appropriate to be on display within your hotel as it is touristing?
Is day and night flesh displays different?
What about long blonde hair on display? Should it be tied back or covered with a hat?
I know you can get away with showing what you want but I really don't want any unwanted attention, especially when with kids.
I've been to Africa and Dominica but never Egypt.
Usually on the beach and around the pool the kids wear all in one swimsuits as they have to be completely covered from the sun - but I usually wear a bikini with a cover-up and my husband just wears swimshorts.
Daytime touristing I usually wear a just above the knee dress with short sleeves and no excess cleavage.
My husband usually wears shorts and a t-shirt.
The kids usually wear shorts and t-shirts too.
My hair is usually in pigtails.
At night I usually wear jeans, a short sleeved top and a cardigan.
My husband wears a long sleeved shirt and long trousers.
The kids dress like us!
Should I change any of this?
And how cold are the evenings? Are we talking cardigans or coats?
Thanks for any help you can give me - I am about to buy some holiday clothes so appreciate the advice!
I'm not the sort to go topless or wear thongs anyway but would like to be respected by the locals (when in Rome...).
Basically what bits of flesh on display will offend the locals? (apart from the obvious ones)
Is the same amount of flesh appropriate to be on display within your hotel as it is touristing?
Is day and night flesh displays different?
What about long blonde hair on display? Should it be tied back or covered with a hat?
I know you can get away with showing what you want but I really don't want any unwanted attention, especially when with kids.
I've been to Africa and Dominica but never Egypt.
Usually on the beach and around the pool the kids wear all in one swimsuits as they have to be completely covered from the sun - but I usually wear a bikini with a cover-up and my husband just wears swimshorts.
Daytime touristing I usually wear a just above the knee dress with short sleeves and no excess cleavage.
My husband usually wears shorts and a t-shirt.
The kids usually wear shorts and t-shirts too.
My hair is usually in pigtails.
At night I usually wear jeans, a short sleeved top and a cardigan.
My husband wears a long sleeved shirt and long trousers.
The kids dress like us!
Should I change any of this?
And how cold are the evenings? Are we talking cardigans or coats?
Thanks for any help you can give me - I am about to buy some holiday clothes so appreciate the advice!
- Sylph
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 17:49 pm
by HW iaintwoeyes on Mon Feb 25, 2008 21:06 pm
Flesh on display! Now thats a subject that could lead to a big discussion!
Sharm is very liberal as it is visited by many thousands of tourists each year. Not only from the UK but now many from Russia! I'll come back to the Russians shortly!! Sharm is like most med resorts, it's quite acceptable to be topless whilst on your sunbed but not walking around. I wouldn't worry about the blonde hair, you'll attract a lot of attention but no more than any other female! The Egyptian men are very flattering and very good at it as well. All this attention that you'll get is not usually threatening in anyway and sometimes quite sweet!
However in Naama Bay you should cover up a little more but there is no need to go over the top. You only need to cover up to stop hundreds of blokes oggling you rather than for any other reason!
I have been twice now, both times at the end of March and the weather was fantastic! Total sunshine and blue sky for the whole holiday. It did get a little chilly after about 8pm at night and I needed a sweatshirt on. No need for a coat or scarf though!!
Hope this helps.
Oh nearly forgot, the Russians! There was a lot of Russians staying at our hotel, Coral Sea, and all they wore around the pool was a thong swimsuit!! You have to understand they we're all over 50 and both male and female wore them!!...Not a pretty site...hehe
HW Iain
Sharm is very liberal as it is visited by many thousands of tourists each year. Not only from the UK but now many from Russia! I'll come back to the Russians shortly!! Sharm is like most med resorts, it's quite acceptable to be topless whilst on your sunbed but not walking around. I wouldn't worry about the blonde hair, you'll attract a lot of attention but no more than any other female! The Egyptian men are very flattering and very good at it as well. All this attention that you'll get is not usually threatening in anyway and sometimes quite sweet!
However in Naama Bay you should cover up a little more but there is no need to go over the top. You only need to cover up to stop hundreds of blokes oggling you rather than for any other reason!
I have been twice now, both times at the end of March and the weather was fantastic! Total sunshine and blue sky for the whole holiday. It did get a little chilly after about 8pm at night and I needed a sweatshirt on. No need for a coat or scarf though!!
Hope this helps.
Oh nearly forgot, the Russians! There was a lot of Russians staying at our hotel, Coral Sea, and all they wore around the pool was a thong swimsuit!! You have to understand they we're all over 50 and both male and female wore them!!...Not a pretty site...hehe
HW Iain
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HW iaintwoeyes - Posts: 210
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 19:20 pm
by Sylph on Mon Feb 25, 2008 21:38 pm
Thanks Iain that has put my mind at ease.
I had heard about Russians being rude to the staff at resorts in Egypt, I always tip well at places and find I am usually seated before everyone and don't risk my food being spat in...lol
On the last night in Dominica my husband left the dinner table without his shoes - he gave them to the waiter!!! That is some strange tip!!!
We are going to the Renaissance Golden View - the only other thing I am trying to plan is what kind of beach shoes to buy the kids - is it safe for them to paddle and snorkle or will the coral, fish or sharks eat them?...lol
Someone suggested I need to buy a book on fish before I go so I can spot dangerous ones - I think this may be over-reacting as I don't suppose fish will bother people unless you tread on them or tickle or prod them....is this true?
I saw a video of a couple dancing romantically through a mist out there and noticed 2 men in the background walking away with insect spraying kits - the daft tourists were dancing in what looked like mosquito repellant not morning mist! Is there a bad mosquito problem out there or is it no worse than other places?
Thanks a lot!
I had heard about Russians being rude to the staff at resorts in Egypt, I always tip well at places and find I am usually seated before everyone and don't risk my food being spat in...lol
On the last night in Dominica my husband left the dinner table without his shoes - he gave them to the waiter!!! That is some strange tip!!!
We are going to the Renaissance Golden View - the only other thing I am trying to plan is what kind of beach shoes to buy the kids - is it safe for them to paddle and snorkle or will the coral, fish or sharks eat them?...lol
Someone suggested I need to buy a book on fish before I go so I can spot dangerous ones - I think this may be over-reacting as I don't suppose fish will bother people unless you tread on them or tickle or prod them....is this true?
I saw a video of a couple dancing romantically through a mist out there and noticed 2 men in the background walking away with insect spraying kits - the daft tourists were dancing in what looked like mosquito repellant not morning mist! Is there a bad mosquito problem out there or is it no worse than other places?
Thanks a lot!
- Sylph
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 17:49 pm
by HW iaintwoeyes on Mon Feb 25, 2008 22:36 pm
Don't know how the Egyptians would take a tip of "shoes"...hehe, nice one!
Russians - Yep they are very rude and not that well liked by the Egyptians because of it!
Paddling all depends on the beach that your at. Some you can walk in as the coral line starts way out but others the coral starts almost at the shore. Most have pontoons that stretch out for hundreds of metres to get you right above the better coral and fish. Many shops sell "cheap" paddling shoes in all colours ans sizes that are suitable for paddling. As for snorkling....its a must! You can buy mask and snorkle quite cheap in Sharm if you don't have some or hire them from your local dive centre, probably at your hotel.
No need for a book on fish! There is plenty of experts around that will shout out the name of the fish when they spot one. The shops and the dive centres all have small posters of the different fish that you will see. You wont see any sharks! Well not dangerous ones anyway and even those only live in the deep water along way from people. However....serious note....you may come across a fish called the Lion fish if you are in the water at dawn or dusk. During the day they hide under large overhangs in the coral. Do not approach a Lion fish, do not prod it if you see one sleeping. The chances of it "stinging" you are very low even if you do come across one but they are deadly, so be warned. They are also very beautiful and will amaze you if you do see one. I went snorkling off the beach at the Coral Sea Resort and saw five sleeping under the coral But I did go looking for them and they weren't easy to spot!
In March I never saw a single mossie! I went fully prepared with wipes, spray, room stuff, bed net and hood. I'm now taking it all to India with me in a few weeks time as I never used any of it..hehe!
Russians - Yep they are very rude and not that well liked by the Egyptians because of it!
Paddling all depends on the beach that your at. Some you can walk in as the coral line starts way out but others the coral starts almost at the shore. Most have pontoons that stretch out for hundreds of metres to get you right above the better coral and fish. Many shops sell "cheap" paddling shoes in all colours ans sizes that are suitable for paddling. As for snorkling....its a must! You can buy mask and snorkle quite cheap in Sharm if you don't have some or hire them from your local dive centre, probably at your hotel.
No need for a book on fish! There is plenty of experts around that will shout out the name of the fish when they spot one. The shops and the dive centres all have small posters of the different fish that you will see. You wont see any sharks! Well not dangerous ones anyway and even those only live in the deep water along way from people. However....serious note....you may come across a fish called the Lion fish if you are in the water at dawn or dusk. During the day they hide under large overhangs in the coral. Do not approach a Lion fish, do not prod it if you see one sleeping. The chances of it "stinging" you are very low even if you do come across one but they are deadly, so be warned. They are also very beautiful and will amaze you if you do see one. I went snorkling off the beach at the Coral Sea Resort and saw five sleeping under the coral But I did go looking for them and they weren't easy to spot!
In March I never saw a single mossie! I went fully prepared with wipes, spray, room stuff, bed net and hood. I'm now taking it all to India with me in a few weeks time as I never used any of it..hehe!
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HW iaintwoeyes - Posts: 210
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 19:20 pm
by Sekhmet on Mon Feb 25, 2008 23:06 pm
Er....Iain, gotta pick you up on a point here; re: it being acceptable to be topless on your sunbed. OK for men maybe but many hotels have signs up stating that it's strictly forbidden for ladies! Lonely Planet guide says it's illegal.
I specifically asked if this is the case when we were last there in Dec '07 & was told that it is def illegal. The tourist police used to enforce it every time but have an uphill struggle now, maybe cos it's becoming a busier resort, maybe cos the police can be bribed? maybe cos they want the tourist industry to blossom & don't want to upset the tourists? The same will go for the hotel staff, who are all men & won't want to upset the guests; altho, that said, one friend of mine said that the hotel satff enforced it at her hotel when a lady dived into the pool topless.
One guy we spoke to (worked in Sharm since 1994, but hails from Alexandria) says he finds it offensive & when he politely asks women to cover up when he visits the beach with his sons, he's met with abuse. It is strictly against the Muslim culture & gives the impression that tourists ar easy. Certain nationalities have a worse reputation than others for being easy too........no, not the Brits!
I have gone topless in Europe, I def wouldn't do it in a Muslim country. I don't want to be perceived as easy. The workers in Sharm work for 30 days, then return home for 10. Being red-blooded males, I don't think being topless in that environment is a good idea. I know of one lady who was propositioned by a taxi driver as she was travelling with no male companion, just a female one; this lady is 42.
Because of mixed messages we unwittingly give with our make up (shocking!!!) "skimpy" clothes, unmarried couples etc I truly think that there's a bigger picture to consider, incl that of safety. There has been a lot of trouble on another forum with a taxi driver (not the one mentioned above) who has taken liberties with lady tourists, touched them inapropriately, stalked them in resort, sent hundreds of emails, sent abusive PMs (I received them too) & one reason for his abusive PM to me is that I talk to men online altho I'm married! (I'm such a hussy!) He has also allegedly touched a 14 yr old girl. There is much more I could say, but it's not appropriate for the forum. My hubby didn't want me to travel in a taxi alone; I had to ensure I caught the shuttle bus between the 2 Jolie Ville hotels to go & visit a friend in the sister hotel.
I have had Egyptian guys invade my personal space, put their hand on my butt, in front of hubby too, cos they just don't understand the barriers; it's not entirely their fault. I've got a friend who had a massage at her hotel, hubby at her side, yet the male masseur touched her inapropriately; her hubby nearly killed him!
Sharm, Taba etc may be man made resorts & granted folk save hard for their hols, but that doesn't give us carte blanche to flout the laws or disrespect their religion. The boundaries are being pushed by the tourists re: alcohol, which is obviously available out there. the political situ is a lot more delicate than many realise with fundamentalists being held in check for now but disrespectful actions from the west are not, IMO, a good idea.
I really feel that going topless in Egypt is a naive thing to do, as well as disrespectful.
Just had to say something, Iain, as you raised the point; no offence intended.
I specifically asked if this is the case when we were last there in Dec '07 & was told that it is def illegal. The tourist police used to enforce it every time but have an uphill struggle now, maybe cos it's becoming a busier resort, maybe cos the police can be bribed? maybe cos they want the tourist industry to blossom & don't want to upset the tourists? The same will go for the hotel staff, who are all men & won't want to upset the guests; altho, that said, one friend of mine said that the hotel satff enforced it at her hotel when a lady dived into the pool topless.
One guy we spoke to (worked in Sharm since 1994, but hails from Alexandria) says he finds it offensive & when he politely asks women to cover up when he visits the beach with his sons, he's met with abuse. It is strictly against the Muslim culture & gives the impression that tourists ar easy. Certain nationalities have a worse reputation than others for being easy too........no, not the Brits!
I have gone topless in Europe, I def wouldn't do it in a Muslim country. I don't want to be perceived as easy. The workers in Sharm work for 30 days, then return home for 10. Being red-blooded males, I don't think being topless in that environment is a good idea. I know of one lady who was propositioned by a taxi driver as she was travelling with no male companion, just a female one; this lady is 42.
Because of mixed messages we unwittingly give with our make up (shocking!!!) "skimpy" clothes, unmarried couples etc I truly think that there's a bigger picture to consider, incl that of safety. There has been a lot of trouble on another forum with a taxi driver (not the one mentioned above) who has taken liberties with lady tourists, touched them inapropriately, stalked them in resort, sent hundreds of emails, sent abusive PMs (I received them too) & one reason for his abusive PM to me is that I talk to men online altho I'm married! (I'm such a hussy!) He has also allegedly touched a 14 yr old girl. There is much more I could say, but it's not appropriate for the forum. My hubby didn't want me to travel in a taxi alone; I had to ensure I caught the shuttle bus between the 2 Jolie Ville hotels to go & visit a friend in the sister hotel.
I have had Egyptian guys invade my personal space, put their hand on my butt, in front of hubby too, cos they just don't understand the barriers; it's not entirely their fault. I've got a friend who had a massage at her hotel, hubby at her side, yet the male masseur touched her inapropriately; her hubby nearly killed him!
Sharm, Taba etc may be man made resorts & granted folk save hard for their hols, but that doesn't give us carte blanche to flout the laws or disrespect their religion. The boundaries are being pushed by the tourists re: alcohol, which is obviously available out there. the political situ is a lot more delicate than many realise with fundamentalists being held in check for now but disrespectful actions from the west are not, IMO, a good idea.
I really feel that going topless in Egypt is a naive thing to do, as well as disrespectful.
Just had to say something, Iain, as you raised the point; no offence intended.
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Sekhmet - Posts: 6
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by HW iaintwoeyes on Mon Feb 25, 2008 23:30 pm
Fair point....but at both hotels I stayed at many females (as well as males, hehe) were topless when on sunbeds by the pool. Nobody frowned at it all. I have to say I saw nobody walking around topless!
I doubt the tourist police have any power in the grounds of private hotels and you maybe refering to the public beaches
Also maybe different hotels have different rules regarding going topless?
I doubt the tourist police have any power in the grounds of private hotels and you maybe refering to the public beaches
Also maybe different hotels have different rules regarding going topless?
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HW iaintwoeyes - Posts: 210
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 19:20 pm
by pigtails on Tue Feb 26, 2008 09:00 am
When we were out at Sharm at Christmas our hotel did have up signs as you entered the beach that no topless sunbathing allowed and did not see anyone flout that. I also had a massage and would not go back for another one. I felt uncomfortable about the way I was "handled".
- pigtails
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- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 16:53 pm
by Sekhmet on Tue Feb 26, 2008 21:33 pm
Pigtails, I've heard other say that, apart from my friend. Unsure if these massage men are even qualified or regulated! My friend is qualified & said that he breached so many rules it was untrue. The ones at the Jolie Ville Resort, icidentally, are oriental ladies, so they look fairly safe!
Iai, I imagine it's up to each hotel to enforce the rule. Some obviously do more than others; still doesn't make it legal : ) I won't report you tho.
Iai, I imagine it's up to each hotel to enforce the rule. Some obviously do more than others; still doesn't make it legal : ) I won't report you tho.
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Sekhmet - Posts: 6
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