CHANGE OF PLAN DUE TO SYRIA UPRISE, WHERE TO GO NOW? EGYPT?
Replies: 18 - Last Post: Dec 27, 2011 8:17 AM Last Post By: laketraveller
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CHANGE OF PLAN DUE TO SYRIA UPRISE, WHERE TO GO NOW? EGYPT?
Hello,I am flying to Amman this Friday. My original plan is to visit Jordan, then go up to Syria (only to Damascus, Palmyra & Aleppo which was said to be safe, but unfortunately now not anymore), after that Lebanon, and will be flying to Cyprus (from Beirut). I hv purchased the flight ticket to Cyprus and I dont think the promo air fare allow me to make any changes. Now...since Syria is dangerous, I hv to think of another place to go, for 4 days. I am actually doing Amman - Petra - Wadi Rum - Aqaba - back to Amman (for Dead Sea & Jerash), before going up to Syria. With the change of plan, I'm thinking of entering Egypt from Aqaba. So, where in Egypt is best to visit for 4 days (inclusive of travel time by land or sea)? I hv visited Egypt previously, and hv been to Cairo, Alex, and further down to Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel. Advises are very much appreciated. Thanks.
Edited by: anitayusof
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I see three options.First, since you're going to Lebanon you're pretty much limited to taking the ferry to Egypt as you don't want any evidence of a trip to Israel in your passport. With that in mind you could spend your time on the Red Sea in Egypt. There are a couple places there that might appeal to you (depending upon your interests).
Another option would be to go to Beirut early and spend the time traveling around Lebanon in areas you might not have otherwise seen.
Lastly, you could go to Beirut early and catch a cheap flight to Istanbul and hang out there for a few days before going back to Beirut for your trip to Cyprus.
Good luck.
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Thx for the reply laketraveller. Unfortunately....hihihi....I think my itinerary hv covered most of the places of interest in Lebanon...and I hv also been to Istanbul in 2008. Can u tell me what are the places of interest in the Red Sea area,and how to get there?3
(( for 4 days. I am actually doing Amman - Petra - Wadi Rum - Aqaba - back to Amman (for Dead Sea & Jerash), ))This is actually a very rushed program and you will see very little in that time - why not take the other 4 days in Jordan - ie total 8 days and enjoy all it has to offer.
You can do :
Day 1 - Amman (full day) Citadel and Roman theatre, markets, rainbow st
Day 2 - Madaba, Nebo, Panorama, Dead Sea
Day 3 - Desert Castle tour visiting 5 castles nd nature reserve at Azraq
Day 4 - Jerash Ajlon, Anjara, Um Qais
Day 5 - Old King's Highway stopping at Madaba, Mujib, Karak, Dana Village, Petra
Day 6 - Petra with o/n in Petra
Day 7 - Wadi Rum with o/n camping
Day 8 - Aqaba - return to Amman - fly to Beirut
These are all full days visiting the various famous historical sites. Even then it will be fairly hectic but not like the 4 day whirlwind tour.
4 days crossing to Sinai isn't worth it - $70 one way per person on the ferry plus exit and entry fees. Nothing much in Nuweiba. Taba and the other areas are mostly beach resorts. Dahab is great but for scuba diving etc.
I think it may be cold to swim and have a beach holiday. Egypt also has considerable political problems worth studying...
Day
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Hmmm.....Personally, I really hate to change my plan at the very last minute....but what can I do? Well, FYI mesha, 4 places that I mentioned for Jordan didnt mean that I will be spending only 4 days. I am actually staying in total 3 days in Amman (to enable me to cover the old city, Dead Sea & Jerash). I will take a coach tour from Amman to Petra (already paid for it), stopping at Madaba, Mt Nebo, Wadi Mujib, Dana, Shobak & Kerak along the way. I will spend 3 nights in Petra, 1 night in Wadi Rum and a day tour to Aqaba.
Is there any other option for me?
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Side trip to Jerusalem - but then the visa for Malaysians may be difficult as there are limited diplomatic relations between the 2 countries last i heard. Also the stamp in your passport would prevent you from entering Lebanon. Seeing as your flight is out of Lebanon to Cyprus this would be stressful if you wanted to ask them not to stamp your passport (albeit you get a visa anyway) and then they stamped it...Enjoy the time in Jordan - there's plenty to see !
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We look forward to reading your manuscript about all the interesting places for muslims in Dahab !! You do know Dahab is a very small place... anyway, enjoy if that's what you decided.8
I made a mistake...its St Catherine, not Dahab :)9
#6 (Mesha)...but then the visa for Malaysians may be difficult as there are limited diplomatic relations between the 2 countries last i heard.
==============================================Just to clarify: There are absolutely no diplomatic relations between Israel and Malaysia.
Not only that but, in general, Malaysians are forbidden from visiting Israel according to Malaysian law - the exception being Christian pilgrims who are allowed to visit Israel, under certain conditions. Also, Israel passport holders are barred from entering Malaysia, except under very special conditions.
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#10 (anitayusof)(sigh) I know. I wish you could visit Israel. And I'm sure you would visit if you could.
A few years back, I was corresponding with a Malaysian acquaintance who invited me to visit him in Malaysia. He was somewhat surprised when I told him that, as an Israeli, I'm not allowed into his country. He didn't understand why - and neither can I - since there is no rational basis for Kuala Lumpur's very hostile attitude towards Israel. He then proceeded to ask some senior government officials he knew as to the reason - and couldn't get a straight answer from them! They really didn't know either! :)
Enjoy your trip and I hope you make it to Israel one day, insh'allah.
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#13 (Mesha)Many Israelis do indeed have more than one passport - just like many Europeans, for example, have multiple passports. Arguing whether one population group has more multiple passports than another is futile and meaningless.
And we both know that many Israelis who have another passport do indeed use them to travel to places like Malaysia, Indonesia, the Gulf states, etc. These countries don't really care as long as officially you are not an Israeli entering their respective country.
Have a nice day. :)
