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JANUARY 3 , 2009 - Egypt and the Nile

15 May 2008 EmmDownunder said

Gday, anyone booked on this trip?
I hope it does not get cancelled as I have already had one cancellation on my current Eastern Road August 9th tour!

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12 Dec 2008 maggiegw said

i was advised not to use credit cards or the atms, bc they will rip u off. i was gonna bring 150USD and have it switched into egyptian pounds at the airport and like 400 some in USD and some in travelers checks.. anyone else have suggestions

i was advised not to use credit cards or the atms, bc they will rip u off. i was gonna bring 150USD and have it switched into egyptian pounds at the airport and like 400 some in USD and some in travelers checks.. anyone else have suggestions or Cancel
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12 Dec 2008 maggiegw said

DID ANYONE GET THEIR VISA YET? I SENT MY PASSPORT TO THE EGYPTIAN EMBAS. TO GET THE VISA STAMPED IN IT BUT I HAVE NOT GOT MY PASSPORT BACK>>>

DID ANYONE GET THEIR VISA YET? I SENT MY PASSPORT TO THE EGYPTIAN EMBAS. TO GET THE VISA STAMPED IN IT BUT I HAVE NOT GOT MY PASSPORT BACK>>> or Cancel
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12 Dec 2008 MandyB said

Hi Marisa and Maggie,

I am trying to finish up a 25 page paper this weekend, so our trip can’t come quickly enough.

As far as money is concerned, I am going to bring enough money to cover the optionals and about 300-400 extra, probably mostly in cash and maybe a few traveler’s cheques.

Since I booked so late, I am getting my visa when I get to the airport in Cairo (I get in around noon, so the office should be open).

Marisa—what kind of masters are you getting?

Mandy

Hi Marisa and Maggie, I am trying to finish up a 25 page paper this weekend, so our trip can't come quickly enough. As far as money is concerned, I am going to bring enough money to cover the optionals and about 300-400 extra, probably mostly in cash and maybe a few traveler's cheques. Since I booked so late, I am getting my visa when I get to the airport in Cairo (I get in around noon, so the office should be open). Marisa--what kind of masters are you getting? Mandy or Cancel
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14 Dec 2008 maggiegw said

anyone what type of plug adapter do we need i have looked it up and i found two that are for egypt>>> not sure which one to get

anyone what type of plug adapter do we need i have looked it up and i found two that are for egypt>>> not sure which one to get or Cancel
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15 Dec 2008 MarisaW said

Hi Mandy, I just turned in my 20 page final exam paper Friday and have been thoroughly enjoying the beginning of my vacation since then. So I can somewhat relate to what you’re saying. I’m getting a masters in Communication Disorders… what are you studying?

— If anyone else is arriving early, please email me if you want to meet up sooner, I am arriving on January 1st — marisyw@hotmail.com

Hi Mandy, I just turned in my 20 page final exam paper Friday and have been thoroughly enjoying the beginning of my vacation since then. So I can somewhat relate to what you're saying. I'm getting a masters in Communication Disorders... what are you studying? -- If anyone else is arriving early, please email me if you want to meet up sooner, I am arriving on January 1st -- marisyw@hotmail.com or Cancel
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15 Dec 2008 Samiah said

Hey all, I just signed up for the Egypt Tour for Jan. 3. I will actually be arriving in Cairo on Jan. 2 at 2:15am!!! AHHH!! But, I was wondering if anyone here knows for sure which hotel we start from. I asked for the phone number from Contiki, but it wasn’t the right one. I googled Oasis Hotel in Cairo and found a match, but when I called they said they didn’t have a reservation from Contiki about any groups. I’m kind of worried…mainly because I still need to book a hotel for the extra nights that I’ll be there. Feel free to email at sammysamca@yahoo.ca

Samiah

Hey all, I just signed up for the Egypt Tour for Jan. 3. I will actually be arriving in Cairo on Jan. 2 at 2:15am!!! AHHH!! But, I was wondering if anyone here knows for sure which hotel we start from. I asked for the phone number from Contiki, but it wasn't the right one. I googled Oasis Hotel in Cairo and found a match, but when I called they said they didn't have a reservation from Contiki about any groups. I'm kind of worried...mainly because I still need to book a hotel for the extra nights that I'll be there. Feel free to email at sammysamca@yahoo.ca Samiah or Cancel
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15 Dec 2008 MarisaW said

Hi Samiah, it’s nice to meet another member of our group!

I was told that it is the Oasis Hotel as well. I am arriving on the 1st and booked the extra nights through my travel agent when I first signed up.

The only thing I can think of is that Contiki contracts with another tour company for the Egypt tour. Maybe our reservation is under the other tour group? I don’t remember the name, but I remember hearing that somewhere.

Hi Samiah, it's nice to meet another member of our group! I was told that it is the Oasis Hotel as well. I am arriving on the 1st and booked the extra nights through my travel agent when I first signed up. The only thing I can think of is that Contiki contracts with another tour company for the Egypt tour. Maybe our reservation is under the other tour group? I don't remember the name, but I remember hearing that somewhere. or Cancel
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15 Dec 2008 Samiah said

Thanks, I was getting a little worried. So you did then book extra nights at the Oasis Hotel then? I think I’ll go do my extra nights booking tomorrow then. Thanks!

Thanks, I was getting a little worried. So you did then book extra nights at the Oasis Hotel then? I think I'll go do my extra nights booking tomorrow then. Thanks! or Cancel
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15 Dec 2008 MarisaW said

I booked two extra nights at the Oasis. However, I am only tonight realizing that it is 35 minutes by car into Cairo. I am playing with the idea of staying somewhere else. I will call Contiki tomorrow to see if I can cancel (the hotel) or what the availability of transportation is into the city.

I booked two extra nights at the Oasis. However, I am only tonight realizing that it is 35 minutes by car into Cairo. I am playing with the idea of staying somewhere else. I will call Contiki tomorrow to see if I can cancel (the hotel) or what the availability of transportation is into the city. or Cancel
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16 Dec 2008 beckkarpoff said

Hi everyone I still havent recieved my ticket and I had booked in August. I am also alittle upset with the travel agent contiki gave me becuase they where not able to book me a direct flight and I get to Egypt on January 3rd. I cant wait to met everyone.
It sounds like alot of us are students, right now I am working full time and getting my masters in Library and Information Science. I can not wait for this trip!
See you all in a few weeks!
Happy Holidays.

Hi everyone I still havent recieved my ticket and I had booked in August. I am also alittle upset with the travel agent contiki gave me becuase they where not able to book me a direct flight and I get to Egypt on January 3rd. I cant wait to met everyone. It sounds like alot of us are students, right now I am working full time and getting my masters in Library and Information Science. I can not wait for this trip! See you all in a few weeks! Happy Holidays. or Cancel
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16 Dec 2008 MandyB said

So I just got my documents, I am very happy…as I sit in the library writing a paper.

If anyone has facebook, look me up at amanda.bickerstaff@gmail.com!

Happy Holidays to everyone and see you in just over two weeks!

Mandy

So I just got my documents, I am very happy...as I sit in the library writing a paper. If anyone has facebook, look me up at amanda.bickerstaff@gmail.com! Happy Holidays to everyone and see you in just over two weeks! Mandy or Cancel
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16 Dec 2008 Samiah said

So I just booked my hotel room at the Oasis Hotel. I figured it’ll just be easier to be there then transfer from another hotel. I arrive in Cairo at 2:15am on Jan.2. So I’ll have a bit of extra time in Cairo. I too have facebook, so add me. It’ll be nice to get to know people before the tour. My email addy is flippy38@hotmail.com

So I just booked my hotel room at the Oasis Hotel. I figured it'll just be easier to be there then transfer from another hotel. I arrive in Cairo at 2:15am on Jan.2. So I'll have a bit of extra time in Cairo. I too have facebook, so add me. It'll be nice to get to know people before the tour. My email addy is flippy38@hotmail.com or Cancel
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16 Dec 2008 Cricky said

Happy Holidays! 2 weeks and counting. Does anyone know if there are internet cafe’s in Egypt?

Happy Holidays! 2 weeks and counting. Does anyone know if there are internet cafe's in Egypt? or Cancel
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18 Dec 2008 Jase of Wellytown said

Hi everyone, I’m signed up for the 3rd of Jan trip. My name is Jason (or Jase) and I’m from Wellington, New Zealand. I’m really looking forward to this trip, should be a blast! Egypt has always been at the top of my ‘must go to places’ list.

Look forward to meeting all you soon… should be good times!!

Hi everyone, I'm signed up for the 3rd of Jan trip. My name is Jason (or Jase) and I'm from Wellington, New Zealand. I'm really looking forward to this trip, should be a blast! Egypt has always been at the top of my 'must go to places' list. Look forward to meeting all you soon... should be good times!! or Cancel
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21 Dec 2008 Nancyw said

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to say hello. I will be on this tour as well. Traveling from Washington DC, arriving in Cairo on the 2nd.

Looking forward to meeting you all soon.
-Nancy

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to say hello. I will be on this tour as well. Traveling from Washington DC, arriving in Cairo on the 2nd. Looking forward to meeting you all soon. -Nancy or Cancel
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22 Dec 2008 beckkarpoff said

Hi Everyone, its almost trip time I am getting so excited. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendation about changing money and about how much they intend on bring with them? I will only be using my money for shops and my credit cards for food because I am afraid that it will not all be able to be exchanged back. What is everyone else plans?
Happy Holidays.

Hi Everyone, its almost trip time I am getting so excited. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendation about changing money and about how much they intend on bring with them? I will only be using my money for shops and my credit cards for food because I am afraid that it will not all be able to be exchanged back. What is everyone else plans? Happy Holidays. or Cancel
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22 Dec 2008 MarisaW said

Hello to everyone and Merry Christmas!

Beck, I’ve been told that US Dollars are an accepted form of currency for just about everything. The only reason to exchange money to Egyptian pounds is to have small notes for tipping… 1 pound notes I guess? Not sure.

Hello to everyone and Merry Christmas! Beck, I've been told that US Dollars are an accepted form of currency for just about everything. The only reason to exchange money to Egyptian pounds is to have small notes for tipping... 1 pound notes I guess? Not sure. or Cancel
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22 Dec 2008 maggiegw said

i exchanged 200 usd to ep and i got 950 eps, the bad thing is that they are in big bills so at the airport im going to get small bills.. as for the rest of my money i have not a clue how much to bring with me>> i really didnt want to use my cred card>>>

i exchanged 200 usd to ep and i got 950 eps, the bad thing is that they are in big bills so at the airport im going to get small bills.. as for the rest of my money i have not a clue how much to bring with me>> i really didnt want to use my cred card>>> or Cancel
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22 Dec 2008 maggiegw said

ITS LESS THAN 10 DAYS WOOHOO I CANT WAIT ITS GONNA BE A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ITS LESS THAN 10 DAYS WOOHOO I CANT WAIT ITS GONNA BE A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or Cancel
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22 Dec 2008 cdm115 said

Just wanted to answer a couple questions that were recently asked. There are internet cafes. The Oasis’s computer wasn’t working when I was there but i recall it being expensive. In Aswan there are some places near where the ship is docked, that will be the best opportunity to use the internet on the whole trip. Thinking back the rest of the time on my trip we were always so busy we didn’t have time or it wasn’t convenient.

As for credit cards, beckkarpoff mentioned using it for food. Most of your meals are included so you wont be eating all that much on your own and the rest of the meals will be arranged by the TM, if you choose to, and they run about $10 in cash to the TM (probably Sherif) or you’ll likely being eating at the Oasis as a group. For how little a meal costs, it’s not really worth it to pay with a credit card, unless you put them to your room and then pay with a credit card when you check-out. Also, pretty much any time you pay with a credit card you’re getting hit with some sort of fee there – either in the conversion or a % to cover what they lose out on from the credit card company. Egypt really is a cash economy, save the credit card for emergency or if you’re buying something in one of the nice shops where you might be spending a lot of money. You’ll probably still get hit with a fee, but that will cover you if you have a big purchase and not the cash for it.

Most people on my tour used egyptian pounds for most of the tour, in markets and stuff and in some places they will only accept pounds. Plus you’re not getting a discount for using the USD or the euro, so I recommend having both egytian pounds and USD on you.

Just wanted to answer a couple questions that were recently asked. There are internet cafes. The Oasis's computer wasn't working when I was there but i recall it being expensive. In Aswan there are some places near where the ship is docked, that will be the best opportunity to use the internet on the whole trip. Thinking back the rest of the time on my trip we were always so busy we didn't have time or it wasn't convenient. As for credit cards, beckkarpoff mentioned using it for food. Most of your meals are included so you wont be eating all that much on your own and the rest of the meals will be arranged by the TM, if you choose to, and they run about $10 in cash to the TM (probably Sherif) or you'll likely being eating at the Oasis as a group. For how little a meal costs, it's not really worth it to pay with a credit card, unless you put them to your room and then pay with a credit card when you check-out. Also, pretty much any time you pay with a credit card you're getting hit with some sort of fee there - either in the conversion or a % to cover what they lose out on from the credit card company. Egypt really is a cash economy, save the credit card for emergency or if you're buying something in one of the nice shops where you might be spending a lot of money. You'll probably still get hit with a fee, but that will cover you if you have a big purchase and not the cash for it. Most people on my tour used egyptian pounds for most of the tour, in markets and stuff and in some places they will only accept pounds. Plus you're not getting a discount for using the USD or the euro, so I recommend having both egytian pounds and USD on you. or Cancel
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