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USEFUL IFORMATION |
Clothing:
Cotton summer clothes are recommended ( Saharan "bush jackets" are particularly suitable ) for the day, and a sweater and anorak for the morning and evening , especially in winter. It is also advisable to talk a rucksack, if you intend to spend the night at st.Katherine's monastery
before climbing Gabel Musa , a sleeping bag . A good pair of mountain boots, a hat and a water_ flash complete the list of the minimum equipment required for a trip to Sinai .
Shopping:
Its possible to buy cloths at reasonable prices , especially top_ quality cotton .
jewelry in silver, gold and precious stones are also good value, as are the typical products made by the
Bedouin artisans. You need to bargain before reaching a price.
Drinks:
There are no alcoholic drinks outside of the large hotels and restaurants. Popular local drinks include
karkade ( hibiscus flower tea ) and shai (tea) . the only drinkable water is bottled mineral water. Avoid cold drinks.
Electricity:
The electrical system runs on 220 volts.
Food:
There are a standard international cuisine in the big hotels. The local cuisine is not very varied , but is pleasant for western tastes. It includes lamb and mutton , barbecued or on the spit, stuffed pigeon,
vegetables, rice and numerous sauces.
Documentation and customs formalities:
Its necessary to have a passport valid for at least three months after the end
of your trip together with a group or Individual visa, which can be obtained on
entry without problems . The exportation and collection of sea-shells and corals is strictly forbidden .
Photography
The best times of the day to take photographs are in the morning and evening . Avoid taking photos between 12 am and 3 pm as colours are not so clear and
shadows are too strong . films can be bought in large hotels . its forbidden to photograph ports, airports and military installations . there are some laboratories in sharm el _ sheikh which develop and print colour negatives and slides on the same day .
Office opening government offices are closed on Friday .
Language
Although Arabic is the official language, English is often spoken in the main tourist locations .
Currency
The Egyptian Lira,le,also known as the pound, is worth about 33 cents or 20 pence and is divided into 100 piasters .
Egyptian lira cannot be changed into other currencies on departure and its
therefore advisable to change money according to your exact needs . credit cards are accepted in many places . finally, its important to always carry small notes (1 LE) on you for the inevitable tips .
Local time:
Egyptian time is +2hours ( Greenwich time ) .
Sporting activities:
You can do all types of sports in Sinai and also many land ones . (3) there in horse-riding and camel-riding
as trekking .Its also possible to go on desert excursions by jeep and on special
desert motor-bikes called quads . There is an office in each hotel where you can organize and book these activities .
Diving
A special mention must be made of diving and snorkeling as they constitute one of the great attractions of the Sinai and Red Sea coasts due to the beauty of the sea-bed and the wealth of marina fauna . there are many diving centers which organize one day and half day boat trips to the main sub-aquatic locations .
In the Diving Centers comprehensive top quality equipment can be hired . the instructors are for the main part trained and very competent .
An internationally recognized license ( SSI, PADI or equivalent ) is required for diving with tanks . its possible to obtain
such a licence on-site by attending a course that lasts for a few days . those tourists who wish to admire the sea-bed without the rigmarole of putting on diving equipment can go snorkeling just beneath the sea surface .
Although its generally a good idea not to touch shells, coral and fish, there are no particular danger in the Red Sea , and, contrary to common belief, no shark attacks on swimmers
Have even been recorded .
Transport:
Its advisable to book one of many organized trips if you want to visit the main tourist on the Red Sea .
For those who want to travel individually, its possible to hire a car with a
driver or self-driven ( an international driving licence is required ) . When driving, it’s a good idea not to stray from the asphalt roads, and not to venture onto the tracks without a guide .
Health precautions:
There are no obligatory vaccination , although an anti-typhoid vaccination
before departure is recommended .You should be careful with raw fruit and vegetables .
It’s a good idea to keep handy some medicine for stomache upsets , an eyewash , and most importantly, some protective suncream .Its advisable to drink water only from a sealed bottle and to avoid drinks with ice .
There is a clinic at Sharm you can get all the important medicines .
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