Christine, I hope you are checking this still. I am leaving in a week and you did not say anything about it being particularly cold on any of the excursions tho I know it might be early in the AM and evening. Was that your experience? Thanks! Annie

<<Muslims are not supposed to drink, and the vast majority don't, but some do. I remember one fellucca ride (sailboat) on the Nile......my husband paid the man and then tried to give him a tip. The guy kept refusing the tip and we couldn't figure out why. Finally, the man got up, went over to our ice chest, and pointed at a beer! THAT's what he wanted!>>

This is interesting and since I have an "inquiring mind" I wonder if perhaps the man was not Muslim. Approximately 10% of the population is Christian, we visited a couple of Christian churches in Egypt ---- or then again, maybe he's a non-practicing Muslim.

Luisah - I knew a lot of Coptic Egyptians and a lot of non-practicing Muslims. But.....this man was praying on a prayer rug just before we got on the boat - so I have to assume he was "technically" a practicing Muslim!

If I'd seen that I would reach the same conclusion. Guess he's a practicing Muslim who likes beer.

Regarding Mummy Tummy - During my Egypt trip, the only people who didn't have GI problems in our group were the vegetarians (including me). Because of that I've wondered ever since if meat isn't the primary cause of "traveller's distress".

What a great report. This has to be in the all-time Top Ten Reports on Fodor's. Like many other, I'm bookmarking it for future trips.

Could you tell me how many days you spent in Egypt? I am trying to revise our 5 days into a longer period - especially after reading your trip report.

Careleen - as long as the meat is cooked thoroughly, there should be no problem. Our family managed to go 4 years with any "mummy tummy" and while we were very careful with everything we ate, we were extra vigilant about fruits and vegetables.

bookmarking

Excellent report full of great information!

Great report! I just booked at 10 day FAM tour (we are friends of a travel agent). I greatly appreciate your insight and will save this until we leave...next April, I already feel impatient - thanks again!