Luxor Travel Forum

Hi!
I'm heading to LUXOR in just over two weeks with my girlfriend. I haven't been in Egypt since 1990 and no doubt lots of things have changed. We are staying at the Sonesta St. George Hotel which I have heard is fantastic. When it comes to eating and drinking, what are the rules? I've heard that no ice in drinks, no salads that have been prepared for us, cut fruit or ice cream, is this really all true?

Also, I suffer badly with sun burn, so, I have PLENTY of factor 30spf cream but, besides a baseball cap, was contemplating buying a Shemagh before heading out there to keep the sun off the head and shoulders in the mid day sun if I can't get out of it. Do I need to have any thoughts about colour or pattern as I don't want to offend anyone or be considered to be part of any "group". Clearly I wont be buying a khaki or "sand brown" colour or any other from an ex military shop, but, clarification would be good.

Thanks,
Iain

Can't answer your question about LUXOR, but did want to mention that you can get SPF 70, which is what my dermatologist recommends - Neutrogena. I used it for 10 blindingly sunny days in Sicily, traipsing around ruins all day long, and it worked very well.

A hat with a decent brim (combined obviosly with long sleeves) is much more useful than sunscreen. It actually keeps you cool. Sunstroke is as much ofa risk than sunburn.

Did you know there is building work going on at the moment at the Sonesta, three new floors are being added.
As for the sun, it was 43c(in the shade) here today and as I write this at 11p.m.it is 34c. Do not know what a Shemagh is but you will definately need a hat and wear loose clothing, no one goes out in the mid day sun, even the Egyptians stay indoors in the afternoon. You will find most places are closed for at least a couple of hours so we can all have a siesta. If you want to visit the antiquities you will find that apart from valley of kings, queens etc on west bank, everywhere else is open in the evening.
As for what to eat and drink, the best advice I can give is not to have anything really cold to drink or eat ice cream when you have just got back inside after being out in the heat. Keep a bottle of water in your fridge and mix it with water that is at room temperature so it is not too much of a shock to your stomach.
We have been visiting Luxor for nearly 11 years and have lived here for just over a year and we manage to eat and drink without being ill at all (being English we were not used to high temp. at home but cope quite well here). Just be sensible and do not over do things and you will have a good holiday.

Thank you all for taking the time out to advise me. I will be wearing a brimmed hat and loose clothing and will not be solely relying on the suncream, I shoul dhave made this a little clearer. The Shemagh is like a tuban, also called a kefiyah ( I think that's how to spell it).

I wasn't aware that the Sonesta was going through building work, I'll have to speak to my travel agent about that point - tahnk you. Do you have any idea as to when the building work will be finished? Although I depart from the UK in just over two weeks, I'm not due to the Sonesta St. George until I have been in Luxor for one week, so about three weeks from now.

Hello again
Sonesta work has been going on for quite some time and although haven't noticed it being noisy when we have passed, we have heard some comments about dust from the building work. As to when it will be finished, well, how long is a piece of string? sometimes very long here ! Unless a miracle happens it wont be finished for you coming in 3 weeks. We are sure you will have a good time here anyway, staff here now how to help people have a good holiday and are usually very obliging, if you are not happy with the room because of building noise just ask to be moved. Any other questions just ask, we are happy to help if we can.

Its all Just Common sence. Wear a wide Brim Hat and Loose clothing, All are available in Luxor everyone will want to sell you a Hat. As for Food, The odds are that you will get a Bug, But it depends on how sensitive your tummy is, at least the Locals are good at providing the right Cure to make it feel not too bad. But at times BOY is it Bad.You have to eat to Live, Dont know where your Home is or How you Live, But if your a good Clean City person and always eating the Healthy stuff you may be first to get the Bug, its a matter of Luck. Wash your Hands regulary as you mentioned about the Food watch what you eat, Best Hotel in Town or even the Cheapest, if your luck isnt with you you may get the Bug. I'm very Healthy I got it, My Wife and daughter didnt and I was the most carefull of us all, it lasted for almost 2 weeks I even Vomited walking down the aisle of the Plane while people were struggling to put there carry on luggage into the overhead lockers and that was 2 weeks after I got the Bug.Maybe take all the risks and the european Tummy will adapt, Take caution and it will Bite you, I doubt if anyone can give you the correct advise on this subject. Good Luck, But also the People are hard sellers, the sellers can be pests, But if you need Help they will be in quick to do any thing to help you, One side of them is Buisness and the other side is Welcome I am your friend, dont get the sides mixed up your temper will rise at there pestering, But once they are told you are the best of friends and you will love them. have a great trip. OCKERR

I have always found that eating some local yoghurt helps 'inoculate' you with the local intestinal flora. Good for the digestion anyway, so no harm done there. According to a UK TV program it would seem that a large proportion of food problems are caused by eating airport food! On display for hours, not properly covered or chilled. It looks like the holiday 'gyppie tummy' is a souvenir from the airport, but because it does not kick in for a day or so it's attributed to the local food, wherever you are in the world!
You will find that Luxor is now magnolia city, the council have decided that all buildings must us paint from an official catalogue, all shades of brown.
A good place to eat is OM HASHIM, good local food at local prices eaten by the locals, ask any taxi driver.

Again, thank you for taking the time to reply to me, it really is appreciated that you have taken the time to share with me your own experiences.

The "Delhi Belly" as I've heard it refered to does concern me but I'm not going to get hung up and intend to enjoy the holiday for what it is, the biggest concern I think is the ongoing buidling work, I just hope I don't end up being ill on the flight home.