The main thing is to immediately learn to tell a 50-piastre note from a 50-pound note. They look alike, so they are a subject of all sorts of scams. Upon departure, a tourist is allowed to carry no more than 20 Egyptian pounds.
TELEPHONE
You can call Ukraine directly from your hotel room. Be aware that no matter where you call from, you immediately 'land' on three paid minutes of conversation. From a hotel room, a minute can cost up to 20 pounds, so dialing Kyiv you immediately 'land' on 60 pounds, even if no one is home.
You can call from the hotel lobby, where there are special rooms with telephone operators. It will be cheaper – 13 pounds per minute, but again minimum 3 minutes.
Now (rejoice, thrifty travelers!) Hurghada has world-class payphones. A call costs 5-7 pounds per minute (four times cheaper than from the hotel!). You buy a phone card for 180 units for 20 pounds and can talk for 1, 2, 3 minutes. Units run on the phone display; you can end the call anytime, then reuse the card. Such phones are located near hotels and restaurants.
EXTRA ADVICE
When visiting Muslim shrines, women should avoid revealing attire, for example, excessive nudity, wearing shorts or jeans. People will be more welcoming if you enter a mosque in a long skirt and a blouse with a closed collar.
It is not allowed to export corals from Egypt – if found at customs, they will be confiscated and the violator will be fined $100. Another warning: while swimming (especially off the beach), be careful not to step on a sea urchin or scratch your skin on sharp corals.
Before booking a tour, we advise you to 'hang' on the phone and call as many travel agencies as possible. The price range for a virtually equivalent weekly tour (airfare, insurance, transfer, accommodation in a 3* hotel, and two meals a day) from Kyiv firms ranges from $360 to $610. At the same time, in the booked room you may encounter either acrylic bathtubs or modern jacuzzis, so it is best to discuss room amenities in advance.
SPORTS PLEASURES
Beach volleyball games are always organized. There are rides on pedal boats, water skis, bananas, parachutes. Jet skis are banned to preserve corals and for environmental reasons. Surfing with an instructor – from 200 pounds for 3 hours of lessons. Towels and mattresses for lounge chairs on beaches are free. But it's not amiss to give 1 pound to the 'boy' who brings them. Tennis on the court is common. Rackets and balls are provided, but experts better bring their own. Cost – from 10 to 20 pounds per hour, as you negotiate.
UNDERWATER WONDERS
You can get acquainted with the unique marine fauna of the Red Sea by: 1) submarine (from Sindbad hotel – $55); 2) aquascope (at Nog Palace hotel, next to Grand Hotel – $36); 3) glass-bottom boat (everywhere) – $10 per person; and finally, 4) scuba gear, becoming a real diver.
Training takes place with an instructor for $50-75 per day. You can find an instructor at any hotel.
STORAGE OF VALUABLES
Hotels don't steal money. You can safely keep some things in your room. However, for the more cautious, we recommend using safes. They are free and available in every hotel. However, if you lose the safe key, the fine can reach $200.
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