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Whichever hotel you choose, they'll offer you an airport transfer. They'll charge you their going rate, perhaps LE250. If you make your own way to Dahab, the East Delta Bus is LE20 1 hour. Taxi LE200 45 minutes.
Alaska Camp is good, nothing wrong with it. Good value for money. My only comment is to consider its location. Some people like to be smack in the middle of it all! Step out your door and all the restaurants, souvenir shops and touts are at your doorstep. Could be a little too hectic some-days and noisy. Maybe this is perfect for you? There are more quiet locations that are only a 10 minute walk to the restaurants in Mashraba. Consider Bishbishi if you're counting your penny's. Or if you want something a bit nicer check-out Sheikh Ali Resort (#1 TripAdvisor).
10 days of diving would be fantastic!!! There are too many dive centers in Dahab to be honest but the best are Sea Dancer, H2O, Blue Ocean Dive and Dive Verge to name just a few. However just walk around and talk to the centers and get a feel for it. It's more important to be comfortable with the DM as it's he/she that will take you under. You say you're not a diver, will you learn to dive in Dahab? If you're around for 10 days then do 2 courses - Open Water, immediately followed by Open Water Advanced. At completion of the 2 courses, you'll feel really confident and will enjoy the dive sites so much better.
Checked out Inmo, looks a bit strict.
Alaska sounded great but didn't realise it was as hectic as it in fact is - glad I asked.
Any suggestions of a place with a pool for a late dip, j and cocktail?
I hear some places have a curfew? I'll want to avoid them if poss but undestand that families are there too.
Bah I'm just gonna book in at Bishbishi and flow from there. Thanks again for the advice x
Good luck and enjoy!!!
Was also wondering what the gossips are like like too - small village big fire? What if I'm seen kissing and cuddling a girl on the beach? Would this become the end of the world?
Apart from bottled water what would you recommend I buy in the supermarket to keep in my room? flies are a pain in my arse everywhere but what about mosquitoes? Is Dahab like Corsica, great beach but forgot to mention the mosquitoes?
Last but not least cool that places have free wifi. Is it safe to bring out my ipad and leave in my room while in the water or is it that just a f silly question? I'd want it with me but don't want to be putting it in the safe box 100 times a day. I know that's a how long is a pece of string question and more likely a fellow traveller will take itbthan a local but please, in your opinion. Thanks
If there are people around they will politely come and ask you to be more discreet. It's a matter of respect - people understand that you're a Westerner on a beach and won't mind seeing bikinis or alcool consumption, but they expect you not to go overboard.
Christmas is a little quiet here usually. NY is busier. Accommodation prices are not usually hiked like other travel destinations at this time of year.
Gossip ... well Dahab is a small place and there is always a general interest in what is going on with the villagers! But as a tourist the locals are more interested in doing business with you such as eating in their restaurant or selling you a souvenir tshirt. Kissing a girl on the beach is not going to cause an uproar. But it is not appreciated. PDA (Public Displays of Affection) is discouraged. It is out of respect that you should adhere to the rule ... No kissing in public.
Wash your teeth using bottled water. Always have water in your room, 24/7. Buy the big bottles and refill a smaller bottle every day to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Add a Rehydration Salts to your water once a day just to keep your body salt/mineral levels balanced. The mosquitoes were bad this season but now the temp is dropping they've almost all gone. Bug-off is found in all the shops if you need it. Yeah flies are always a pest!
Bring a basic first aid kit. But most medicines can be bought in the pharmacy. If you get sick they'll give you antibiotics or anti-nausea pills. There is a very good Doctor in Dahab called Dr Hakeel if you need advise. Bring bandaids, the ones sold here don't stick!!!
I'd bring the usual things: washing line, universal sink plug, torch or headlight (some roads have no lights), sunblock, sunglasses blah blah blah ... toiletries are easy to buy here.
Use your common sense regarding your gadgets. I wouldn't be too flashy with your gear but generally in the touristic areas your stuff is safe. Once you've been to the same restaurant a couple of times, the staff will know your face. Ask them to keep an eye on your stuff while you swim and it should be OK. Of course put your phone in your bag, zip it up and throw a towel over it to stop any opportunists. A phone left on a table might go astray if you go to the bathroom. It's more than likely another tourist who will lift-it rather than a local by the way! The guys working in the bars & restaurants value their jobs. They have families to support so are extremely unlikely to steal from you because if caught it's instant dismissal from most places.
Leaving gear in your room will be OK 99% of the time. Perhaps pack it away, don't leave your laptop on your bed. Put it in your suitcase. It'll be fine, just do it for your own peace-of-mind while you're out and about.
Aye may just leave the gadgets at home as it's peace of mind and relaxation that I want. Great to know it's usually quiet and prices tend not to be hiked over christmas - been caught out a few times because of Jesus.
Wonderful, I look forward to arriving and getting my snorkel on.
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Holas, I need a holiday and have decided to try scuba diving in Dahab for about 10 days. Prices for flights seem to drop by half by end of november, thinking about staying in Alaska hostel. Looking for someone who knows the ropes so we can arrive there without much bother, score and go snorkelling or scuba diving. I am not a diver, based in the UK, Male, 35.
1
Flight from UK is about 5 hours. A tourist visa is USD15 on arrival at the airport. It'll be less hassle and faster if you have the correct money.Whichever hotel you choose, they'll offer you an airport transfer. They'll charge you their going rate, perhaps LE250. If you make your own way to Dahab, the East Delta Bus is LE20 1 hour. Taxi LE200 45 minutes.
Alaska Camp is good, nothing wrong with it. Good value for money. My only comment is to consider its location. Some people like to be smack in the middle of it all! Step out your door and all the restaurants, souvenir shops and touts are at your doorstep. Could be a little too hectic some-days and noisy. Maybe this is perfect for you? There are more quiet locations that are only a 10 minute walk to the restaurants in Mashraba. Consider Bishbishi if you're counting your penny's. Or if you want something a bit nicer check-out Sheikh Ali Resort (#1 TripAdvisor).
10 days of diving would be fantastic!!! There are too many dive centers in Dahab to be honest but the best are Sea Dancer, H2O, Blue Ocean Dive and Dive Verge to name just a few. However just walk around and talk to the centers and get a feel for it. It's more important to be comfortable with the DM as it's he/she that will take you under. You say you're not a diver, will you learn to dive in Dahab? If you're around for 10 days then do 2 courses - Open Water, immediately followed by Open Water Advanced. At completion of the 2 courses, you'll feel really confident and will enjoy the dive sites so much better.
6
thanks for the help chaps. Crashdummy Bishbishi looks wonderful, may try both Bishbishi and Sheikh Ali as I'll want to lounge by a pool sometimes. Any suggestions on a hotel/hostel with a pool.Checked out Inmo, looks a bit strict.
Alaska sounded great but didn't realise it was as hectic as it in fact is - glad I asked.
Any suggestions of a place with a pool for a late dip, j and cocktail?
I hear some places have a curfew? I'll want to avoid them if poss but undestand that families are there too.
Bah I'm just gonna book in at Bishbishi and flow from there. Thanks again for the advice x
8
I think you're on the right track now. Check into Bishbishi then put your walking shoes on and go exploring. Dahab is small and easy to walk around (or hire a bicycle).Good luck and enjoy!!!
9
will I be laughed out of town if I turn up in my ugg boots? December and all that. Also, would you recommend one stays over the christams 25th etc period; is it a time to behold? I've been to various beach spots around the world and room prices nearly always triple over christams, which sucks. Does Dahab price hike?Was also wondering what the gossips are like like too - small village big fire? What if I'm seen kissing and cuddling a girl on the beach? Would this become the end of the world?
Apart from bottled water what would you recommend I buy in the supermarket to keep in my room? flies are a pain in my arse everywhere but what about mosquitoes? Is Dahab like Corsica, great beach but forgot to mention the mosquitoes?
Last but not least cool that places have free wifi. Is it safe to bring out my ipad and leave in my room while in the water or is it that just a f silly question? I'd want it with me but don't want to be putting it in the safe box 100 times a day. I know that's a how long is a pece of string question and more likely a fellow traveller will take itbthan a local but please, in your opinion. Thanks
10
"What if I'm seen kissing and cuddling a girl on the beach?"If there are people around they will politely come and ask you to be more discreet. It's a matter of respect - people understand that you're a Westerner on a beach and won't mind seeing bikinis or alcool consumption, but they expect you not to go overboard.
11
Yeah Dahab is not really a Ugg Boot type of town! But it'll definitely get chilly after 4:30pm (when the sun goes down behind the mountains) so shoes & socks are needed for sure. When the wind picks up it can be really cold in the shade. You might be surprised how cold it gets at night so bring a jumper & jacket. If you plan to climb Mt Sinai to watch the sunrise, it'll be almost freezing up there.Christmas is a little quiet here usually. NY is busier. Accommodation prices are not usually hiked like other travel destinations at this time of year.
Gossip ... well Dahab is a small place and there is always a general interest in what is going on with the villagers! But as a tourist the locals are more interested in doing business with you such as eating in their restaurant or selling you a souvenir tshirt. Kissing a girl on the beach is not going to cause an uproar. But it is not appreciated. PDA (Public Displays of Affection) is discouraged. It is out of respect that you should adhere to the rule ... No kissing in public.
Wash your teeth using bottled water. Always have water in your room, 24/7. Buy the big bottles and refill a smaller bottle every day to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Add a Rehydration Salts to your water once a day just to keep your body salt/mineral levels balanced. The mosquitoes were bad this season but now the temp is dropping they've almost all gone. Bug-off is found in all the shops if you need it. Yeah flies are always a pest!
Bring a basic first aid kit. But most medicines can be bought in the pharmacy. If you get sick they'll give you antibiotics or anti-nausea pills. There is a very good Doctor in Dahab called Dr Hakeel if you need advise. Bring bandaids, the ones sold here don't stick!!!
I'd bring the usual things: washing line, universal sink plug, torch or headlight (some roads have no lights), sunblock, sunglasses blah blah blah ... toiletries are easy to buy here.
Use your common sense regarding your gadgets. I wouldn't be too flashy with your gear but generally in the touristic areas your stuff is safe. Once you've been to the same restaurant a couple of times, the staff will know your face. Ask them to keep an eye on your stuff while you swim and it should be OK. Of course put your phone in your bag, zip it up and throw a towel over it to stop any opportunists. A phone left on a table might go astray if you go to the bathroom. It's more than likely another tourist who will lift-it rather than a local by the way! The guys working in the bars & restaurants value their jobs. They have families to support so are extremely unlikely to steal from you because if caught it's instant dismissal from most places.
Leaving gear in your room will be OK 99% of the time. Perhaps pack it away, don't leave your laptop on your bed. Put it in your suitcase. It'll be fine, just do it for your own peace-of-mind while you're out and about.
12
Yes am planning on climbng Mt Sinai thanks for the temperature know how, will bring the boots can always trade them if really not needed. Though as it gets chilly after 4.30pm I'd rather Ugg than socks and sandals.Aye may just leave the gadgets at home as it's peace of mind and relaxation that I want. Great to know it's usually quiet and prices tend not to be hiked over christmas - been caught out a few times because of Jesus.
Wonderful, I look forward to arriving and getting my snorkel on.
