we left the papyrus scam guy behind and headed to the Turgoman bus terminal to buy the tickets to Nuweiba.
I didn't have to worry about how to buy the right tickets at the ticket office, because the staff spoke wonderful English.
Felt a bit empty after buying the ticket as I prepared myself for the worst.
Then started to look for a way to Giza to see the Pyramids and found on the Lonely Planet that there is a metro nearby.
Took a taxi to a metro station and caught a train to the El Giza Station.
After about 40 minutes, we were approaching 'El Giza' station, so we asked around on the train saying 'Pyramids?' 'okay?' 'nodding..?' and it seemed to be the correct station so we got off there,
As soon as we were out of the station, we were sorrounded by taxi drivers who wanted to take us to the pyramids.
They said it's 10 kms away hence 10 LE.
It sounds resonable now but I expected the pyramids to be walking distance from the metro station so I ignored them all.
We just followed the locals to get out and an Egyptian guy approached us saying that the taxi is too expensive but the bus they are taking is cheap and easy.
We felt really thankful so followed him and his son who he said that it's his first time in here as they live in Alexandria.
But it didn't seem quite right the way the son looked. He looked more like one of the boys working in tourist attracations.
Well, what harm can they do? so we kept following them.
He was thoughtful enough to tell us to buy some food and drink in a shop because it would be very expensive in Pyramids.
Thanked him again and bought some bread but he had to wait for a long time as there were many people at the shop and the kids couldn't make up minds.
Though he told us beforehand that we can catch 357 bus and the bus stop was right across the road but they kept waiting for us and that made me think a bit.
But he helped us a lot crossing the busy road which can be quite tricky if you are not used to it, so we kept following him.
got talking again waiting for the bus to arrive and he asked me if we want to ride camels in pyramids.
He said that there are two entrances to the pyramids one of which is only to take photos so we can't have a good look around from there, and the other one is to the stables to take camels, horses or donkey, etc.
Bingo!
He weren't to know that I came here 10 years ago and what he was telling us was all lies!
It was time to lose him as well so I said that the kids were getting tired so we had to take taxi instead.
He jumped saying that taxi would cost 30 LE but bus is so cheap and easy.
Well, I insisted so he offered to get a taxi for us, but I hailed a taxi and quickly negotiated to 10 LE.
Whether or not he was helpful in the end, we still thanked him and went to the pyramids.
As we approached the Pyramids, there were so many touts full of street and some were trying to stop our taxi.
Because I could see some animals there, I though this must be the stables so shouted 'Ticket office' to the driver.
He tried to keep going but some touts were nearly jumping on the taxi to stop us, so I shouted 'I'll give you more money, just take us to the ticket office!'.
So we managed to get to the ticket office where I could see only tourists from the tour buses and no touts around.
I happily paid 15 LE, and got off the taxi.
If we just followed the taxi drivers from the metro station for 10 LE, I think we were very much likely to end up at the stables to be taking camels or horses for a rip-off.
so were we not ripped off in the end?
Well, yes..
I didn't have to worry about how to buy the right tickets at the ticket office, because the staff spoke wonderful English.
Felt a bit empty after buying the ticket as I prepared myself for the worst.
Then started to look for a way to Giza to see the Pyramids and found on the Lonely Planet that there is a metro nearby.
Took a taxi to a metro station and caught a train to the El Giza Station.
After about 40 minutes, we were approaching 'El Giza' station, so we asked around on the train saying 'Pyramids?' 'okay?' 'nodding..?' and it seemed to be the correct station so we got off there,
As soon as we were out of the station, we were sorrounded by taxi drivers who wanted to take us to the pyramids.
They said it's 10 kms away hence 10 LE.
It sounds resonable now but I expected the pyramids to be walking distance from the metro station so I ignored them all.
We just followed the locals to get out and an Egyptian guy approached us saying that the taxi is too expensive but the bus they are taking is cheap and easy.
We felt really thankful so followed him and his son who he said that it's his first time in here as they live in Alexandria.
But it didn't seem quite right the way the son looked. He looked more like one of the boys working in tourist attracations.
Well, what harm can they do? so we kept following them.
He was thoughtful enough to tell us to buy some food and drink in a shop because it would be very expensive in Pyramids.
Thanked him again and bought some bread but he had to wait for a long time as there were many people at the shop and the kids couldn't make up minds.
Though he told us beforehand that we can catch 357 bus and the bus stop was right across the road but they kept waiting for us and that made me think a bit.
But he helped us a lot crossing the busy road which can be quite tricky if you are not used to it, so we kept following him.
got talking again waiting for the bus to arrive and he asked me if we want to ride camels in pyramids.
He said that there are two entrances to the pyramids one of which is only to take photos so we can't have a good look around from there, and the other one is to the stables to take camels, horses or donkey, etc.
Bingo!
He weren't to know that I came here 10 years ago and what he was telling us was all lies!
It was time to lose him as well so I said that the kids were getting tired so we had to take taxi instead.
He jumped saying that taxi would cost 30 LE but bus is so cheap and easy.
Well, I insisted so he offered to get a taxi for us, but I hailed a taxi and quickly negotiated to 10 LE.
Whether or not he was helpful in the end, we still thanked him and went to the pyramids.
As we approached the Pyramids, there were so many touts full of street and some were trying to stop our taxi.
Because I could see some animals there, I though this must be the stables so shouted 'Ticket office' to the driver.
He tried to keep going but some touts were nearly jumping on the taxi to stop us, so I shouted 'I'll give you more money, just take us to the ticket office!'.
So we managed to get to the ticket office where I could see only tourists from the tour buses and no touts around.
I happily paid 15 LE, and got off the taxi.
If we just followed the taxi drivers from the metro station for 10 LE, I think we were very much likely to end up at the stables to be taking camels or horses for a rip-off.
so were we not ripped off in the end?
Well, yes..
I guess that travelling with young kids and lovely looking Pete doesn't help much...
Next time, it will be about real rip-off on the camel ride at the Giza Pyramids.
No comments:
Post a Comment