Nightmare in Cairo Egypt - trip report
 

Folks,
Beware as con artist in Cairo are getting updated on any travel review on Cairo has from CNN and other sites which I did read to avoid them.

My latest trip last week to Cairo was a disaster in terms of safety and my pocket.

Flew first class on SQ and my friend in coach and at that time of Apr 2nd one has to argue
the Silver Kris lounge person to bring in a visitor. Showing my First class boarding pass won't allow my friend to enter, and she also mentioned of the lounge is full but when I showed my UA 1K card, she then refered to one thick list of *A showing all Gold and Silver levels of each *A members. She found the 1K image card printed in color in her list and she says OK. Entered the lounge and found out that there is only a few first class pax.

Arrived in Singapore for connection to Cairo, again showed my UA 1K card to the Silver Kris lounge lady and guess, she mentioned the lounge is full (remember above - SQ teach them to lie thru their teeth and you can sense it) and they don't recognise the 1K card and I say fine and brought my friend to another *A lounge across the foodcourt and showed my 1K card and both of us are in. Anyway, this lounge is not a good as the Sliver Kris lounge and I told my friend to wait in this lounge while I go back to the Silver Kris lounge.

As I arrived at the lounge, the lady did recognise me and ask where is my friend and I told her that I managed to get him into another lounge and she says sorry for the inconvinience. As I entered the first class section of the lounge, again just a few pax and man, they really want to tell BS by saying their lounge is full. Be aware that SQ lounge doesn't make flight announcement so don't dooze off or you will miss your flight.

Plane took off and as usual a very high standard of SQ First class service compare to my UA like crap. Gave everyone a Givenchy pyjama sets for the night. Arrive in Dubai but unfortunately was delay there due to a malfunction of the plane hydrolic system. Luckily they have detected while on the ground and not in the air. Was told 3 times of the flight delay until they ship us all for First and Raffles class pax to Hyatt Dubai and coach pax to Marco hotel. We waited from 4am for departure until 2pm before we took off to Cairo. Was I dead tired eventough SQ has provided rooms but at the last moment at 10am. 6 hours in the First class lounge and 2 1/2 hours in hotel. At least they provided us with breakfast twice at the airport and hotel, and also a gift for the long delay.

At last arrived in Cairo and what a rundown airport and only 4 immigration counters open up for lots of pax lining up. Was greeted by a Hilton staff but he was quite inpatient to chase us off from the airport to the limo stand which I have reserve and I got an old Puegeot car with no air cond and let me remind you folks Cairo was in the low 30's Celsius and it was hot and humid.

Arrived at the hotel but please be reminded that the limo drivers wants a big tip before opening up the car trunk and room was not upgraded automatically but have to asked and the staff said show me your Gold card. Luckily, I did printed out the front page showing my status. Entered our room and it was the usual size for Hilton/Conrad Intl small eventough on the Executive floor. Later a mini bar guy came in and put something into the fridge which I was puzzle as we just checkin and here comes a person refilling the mini bar. Later found out they charge to my room thinking we were the one whom used the mini bar which in my lifetime, I have never use a minibar.

Second day, we decide to skip the tour package and have our own adventure. (Please, if anyone wants to go to Egypt, please use a well known tour agent to do the tour for you or you will receive the consequences). We had to bargain the taxi driver as most don't speak English but Arabic, I told him in simple Arabic of LE 30 to go to the Pyramids of Giza. He says OK and off we go in a dusty city full of dust and smog. Before arriving at the Giza, comes a person saying that he needs a ride to the Giza where his house is. My biggest mistake of letting in this sweet talking guy who cons us into taking some back alley roads and I didn't feel safe as I am bringing someone with me and the best is to go with where the driver took us for a ride.

Here comes the major scam of the Egyptian people: The driver eventough negotiated for LE 30 still wants and additional LE 5, fine, then the other guy took us to his boss and saying there is no obligation to take their guided services to the Pyramids. I mentioned to them to take us to the front gates of the Pyramids but the owner doesn't want to inform the taxi driver to wait but instead told him to go away. So, stuck near the pyramids but both of us can go anywhere but to agree on whatever the owner of the stables says. He wants in US Dollars and if you mentioned Egyptian dollars, he will use his own outrageuous rate. The owner mentioned the money we have paid covers everything from gate entrance, guide, camels, horse and Pyramids entrance. We were wrong when the guide himself asked more money also in USD to pay off the guards and take us to back alley of the Pyramids and we sense something was wrong as both the guides didn't want to pass thru in front of the Pyramids but stay far in a distance. A trip which was suppose to cost us only about LE 100, cost us USD 200 each inluding myself and my friend. Anyway, since life is more precious than the USD 200, we came back to the hotel after another taxi driver wants LE 40 back to the hotel. We decided not to argue but quickly leave the place fast from this USD hungry thugs.

So, I asked the hotel on how to complaint to the Egyptian Tourism govt dept and was given a look. If anyone out there decides to visit Egypt, enjoy but be careful, we didn't like the trip at all everything you will have to bargain and everything these Egyptian wants is to harass you and then wants lots of money for service sometimes not rendered or lousy including my hotel Conrad Intl for meet and assist when I made reservation for the limo back to airport myself with the limo company.
It is even safer and less hassle when one travels in China and their taxis uses meters and in Egypt, meters are just for show. So avoid Egypt like plaque unless you have the stomach to take all the harrass and abuses.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I had a similar experience in Cairo, except I pretty much enjoyed it. Yes, the customs lines are long (about the same as SFO), but I brought a book. Yes, you will get pressured to go on such and such a tour. I just ignored that and went on my way. You didn't say which Hilton, but I stayed at the Ramses Hilton and it was OK. Not great, but OK. (I won a bundle in the penthouse casino!)

So I asked the concierge to find me a driver to Giza and he did. I gave the driver a fair wage and yes, he took me to the Pyramids for horseback riding and later to a series of shops. I knew he was getting a kick-back from the horse owners and shopkeepers, but I didn't mind. I got lots of neat stuff. I ended up spending about $500 U.S., but if you walk around my living room and see the Papyrus paintings I got you'd say it was a steal. Plus I got to ride a horse around the pyramids. That's priceless.

I think I understand how frustrating your experiences were; I had similar problems not long ago with cab drivers, a couple of tour guides, and a boatman. Not to mention Egyptair. But I found that a very small price to pay for the wonders of Dahshur, Sakkara, Abu Simbel, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, and cruising the Nile.

QuietLion is waiting for this one:

Did you consider threatening them with locusts, boils, or frogs? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

(Actually, I spent 3 weeks working in Egypt about 21 years ago and had a great time... even when this guy at the pyramids got me up on a camel despite my vociferously stated disinclination!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by RichG (edited 04-10-2000).]

Visits to developing nations can be extraordinary experiences. Enriching, shocking, frustrating, rewarding. Daniel's experiences are common in some countries, but as other FT posters have wisely added to his informative post, the memories and experiences are irreplaceable, really, I mean that sincerely.

My brief 3 weeks or so in Egypt in 1984 has left me with memories (and stories) I absolutely cherish.

Cali

When that happens to me I just slay all the first-born sons.

Excellent to hear as we are going in December.

I've been all kinds of places in my life, and Egypt was one of my favorites. It was one of those trips where we had 2 1/2 weeks between flights, and no plans other than a hotel room in Cairo for the first couple of nights.

We took the "tourist" train (run by Sofitel) to Luxor and stayed there for a few nights. Yes, the touts were awful, you just had to learn to ignore them no matter what they said. It seems rude, but remember, they're being extraordinarily rude to you, hoping you'll give in and respond. But the temples and tombs were outstanding. The Valley of the Kings was cool, but other things were just as fantastic. The age of things was amazing. Early Christian era stuff built around the temples, that would would have been revered as ancient ruins in Europe, was just discarded on a trash heap as so much detritus.

We then took the train back to Cairo, then transferred to Alexandria for a night. Then took a long bus ride to Siwa, an oasis in the desert. The Sand Sea had dunes like the Sahara you've always imagined.

Then we went back to Cairo for the last couple of nights.

Lots of places I've enjoyed, but Egypt still appears in my dreams.

I might sound a little aggressive, but I read your report and my heart is definitely not bleeding for you.

I've met so many tourists like you and to tell you the truth, I think you should start growing up and leave some of your expectations at home.

You travelled to Egypt, my friend, not to New York or Singapore or Hong Kong. Had you at least read one single travel brochure over Egypt, you would have knowned that travelling can still be a fabulous adventure with all the ups and downs, that make traveling in foreign countries so exciting.

Basic research would have saved you a lot of trouble and a little humour would have made your trip great. You poor one, you had to sweat a little... Why did you not choose Norway or Greenland? I find it already wonderful that after so much delay there was still a car waiting for you and probably at no extra cost as it would have been the case with Carey in NYC...

One of the main rule in Egypt is price haggling. Try to learn the sport and you'll be fine as well as also respected.

Take your last trip as an experience to learn from and go again, you'll have a great time next time.

Basically I would agree with magexpect, although I might not have expressed myself in such a forthright manner. However, if you are used to instant service, clean streets (a la Singapore), etc... then Egypt just istn't going to be a place that you will like. I worked in Egypt for just under a year. The Egyptians are lovely people. When I got to know them I discovered that more often than not if they tell an "untruth", it's not to trick you or gain advantage but because they like to tell you what you want to hear!

Spending time in Egypt, as some posters have said, can be a wonderful experience, but you have to make allowances for the different culture.

Constant rudeness and harrassment is not part of the Egyptian culture. It may be part of the tourist experience, but it certainly not part of the culture. These blokes know what they are doing and they are taking advantage of tourists weakness and kindness.

Nethertheless, a few words of Arabic, some local knowledge and an understanding that some tipping to the right people who help you can make a big difference. As far as the touts around the Giza "trap" is concerned - may they all rot . . . . . . The local Police know they are a hassle and that is why they refuse to take you through the main entrance.

My last remaining relative in Cairo arranged for me to take day tours organised by the American Express office. There are also large Egyptian tour operators who organise bus tours. We went everywhere in a mini van and had absalutely no hassles.

I guess I should have done my Cairo trip report sooner, so fellow FT'ers didn't get conned, like you did. I had a similar experience, staying at Sheraton Cairo. Sounds like the same modus operandi. I am not surprised that there is an underground operation to lure unsuspecting tourists. One word of caution, trust noone in Egypt, no matter how helpful they are.

I think all the posts here have excellent and valid views!

Yes, no matter how open minded you are, some things can end up ruining your vacation. I've been travelling in Europe, west and East, SE Asia, Middle East, backpacking and upper end, and I've had awesome experiences with the right attitude adjustments.

and to the above, would you really trust EVERYONE in New York or LA, I wouldnt, there is cons everywhere, I've felt more safe in what we would call '3rd world' countries than I did walking around New York or Detroit.