В Африку-бегом! Run to Africa!

We are one of those who ended up in Egypt for the first time, that is, we traveled after reading all sorts of horrors mixed with enthusiasm. The first conclusion is the overall impression based on the results of all reviews about the hotel, it's all the same that the average temperature in the hospital, the spread of real benefits and disadvantages remains very wide. We arrived at 4 pm, there were no delays with the settlement. Out of ignorance, in the evening they plunged into the sea, and there was ice-cold water. Only the next day, someone explained to us that cold water turns into warm water after about 10 meters from the shore. I can't explain the physics of the process. Really need a specialist. slippers, because you can walk 250 meters to the coral. But everything is compensated by a magnificent variety of fish (when you get there). There are no complaints about the service at the hotel. The most difficult test was the buffet, we fought to the last. The wife rushed to the sweet, like Alexander Matrosov. But the forces were unequal. As for the choice of excursions, a dual situation is obtained: for serious excursions, for example, to Luxor, it is better to contact your tour operator, because. in this case, you will be provided with a comfortable bus, a great Russian-speaking guide (we had Khasan Susanin), and an accurate schedule. And with diving, we fell into the arms of the local hotel "operator" Ramses, and as a result, instead of a Russian instructor, only an English-speaking one went to sea with us, who, satisfied that I speak English, said: fine, you will translate to your wife and friend. As a result, they had problems with equipment-masks and mouthpieces, and they were already in the water, in scuba gear, and they could not really explain to him what was the matter, and their dive failed. That, however, did not prevent this guide on the way back to demand baksheesh from us for "the pleasure received. " Instead, we arranged a showdown in the hotel for this Ramses, he called the owner, and in a warm, friendly conversation, we convinced him that it was better for us to compensate for our "pleasure" with his money, otherwise there is a mighty Internet and other means of word of mouth, and it will be more expensive for him. Reluctantly, he returned 50 of the 90 dollars he paid for two, admitting that this was the first case in 15 years of his practice (it was understood that this was a case of such impudence on the part of tourists! ). We were satisfied. And with an excursion on ATVs, however, we again turned to private traders, and did not lose. In the hotel, not far from the reception, opposite the telephone room, there is a little room of a certain Makdi, and the central figure there is crazy Jamaica! In contrast to Teztur, who recruits a group of 10 people and carries them in a caravan in a line, we took 3 ATVs for three from Makdi, plus Jamaica, and go! No time limits! It was our first time driving this transport, and I must say that Jamaica is very careful that you learn normally at first, "please, strong controle! " And then! We went to the sea, where we swam and fished. They took vodka, but even having the courage after drinking, Jamaica did not climb into the water, she says, it's cold! In short, enjoy your vacation! Of the interesting things, I can share my experience of riding an Egyptian taxi. Having lingered in the shops of Hurghada, with the onset of twilight they waved their hand to a passing taxi. When asked in English if he knows such a hotel - Domina Makadi Bay and how to get to it, a young Arab nodded very affirmatively. Sat down and it started. Constantly beeping, he began to cut off other taxis and on the go tried to figure out where to take us after all. They circled for a long time. In the meantime, he tried to raise the agreed price from 6 to 10 dollars using the phone screen, they decided on seven. When the lights of the city were left behind, and there was darkness ahead, it turned out that he did not know English either, and somehow we did not bother to learn Arabic either, and we began to show him the way from memory with our fingers. Anyone who has been knows that speed bumps are lying here and there on their roads, behind which, as a rule, there are metal parkanas and guys with machine guns. Our taxi driver flew into such a policeman in the semi-darkness at full speed, and then went around these barriers on wild brakes. When he was still able to slow down 30 meters from the barrier, the light in his car went out, and submachine gunners were already running behind the car, apparently intending to stop the breakthrough of suicide bombers. The funny thing is that due to the illiteracy of this friend, we could not even express our gratitude to him in English! After half an hour of wandering in the darkness of Egypt, by some miracle, we reached our own hotel, and then he began to cry desperately that the amount given to him did not at all cover his expenses for such a long journey, i. e. now it turned out that we can say that he did not know where to take us. We connected the reception to the dialogue, there, however, the guys were on our side. And so they parted ways. In general, it turned out that my wife was most afraid of airplanes, but it was necessary to be afraid of a completely different transport. Of the interesting things, I can also add that after numerous reviews about trading methods in Egypt, we were somewhat disappointed with the local entrepreneurs, it seems that they were too lazy to bargain, we had more fun than they did. The owners of the shops at the hotel a day after talking with us just ran away from us, so we got them. Who will be there, say hello from Alex to Anuar and Jack, their shops are on the street to the right of the entrance to the hotel. And in Hurghada, some merchants generally say, if you don’t like the price, get out of my store. They were greatly spoiled by the Italians with the Germans, who do not bargain at all, but pay the declared price. By the way, at the Egyptian customs, no one paid any attention to the presence of the notorious certificates for papyri. Yes, I'll throw one more stone into the hotel's garden: no animation. Four young people are sculpting sketches. The thought arises of the need for an artistic council and censorship, because in the dear Soviet of Deputies they were not allowed on the stage from the street, and rightly so! But in general, these are all trifles, and nothing can overshadow the sea of ​ ​ positive emotions and wonderful impressions that we brought from there! You just want to go back there, and that says it all! Let's live until November, and go to Africa!