wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Actually I'm not sure where photography will and won't be allowed. So good advice in checking with our agent. She just came back from there so her info should be current. I do have a 50mm f1.4 but wasn't planning on bringing it trying to keep the weight down. Where would you have used it if you had brought it?

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Yes, we've thought a lot about health issues. It has been discussed over and over. We just about decided to cancel but who knows what it will be like a year from now. It could be worse. We both have our shots and will take along masks.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Thank you for your suggestions. I may bring two D750's which would greatly reduce the need to change lenses.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

You're a brave soul to self drive in that part of world. You must know and/or speak their language. For a fast lens I could bring a 50mm f1.4. Hadn't planned on bringing it to cut down on weight. In your opinion would I have a need for it?

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

I hear you and realize that a shot of the pyramids would be highly unlikely. But there are other objects that I could put in my composition that would tell a viewer it was taken in Egypt. I don't ever recall seeing a shot of the milky way taken from Egypt. I'm hopeful to get one somewhere.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Great suggestions. Thank you.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Great pics. Thanks for the warning. The shot of the policeman could've turned you're trip into a nightmare.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

One last comment on Petra, everyone shoots the Treasury but if time allows and you walk the path of amazing rock fronts, caves, and Roman ruins, the Monastery in my opinion is better photos but a climb to get there. Enjoy and disregard the idiots warning about need of submachine guns because Egypt full of terrorists. Very safe areas you are traveling, any concerns are much further East nearer Israel. Amman Jordan totally safe, can walk streets at night.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Not to tout travel agencies but both of our trips to Egypt (and 1st including Jordan) was thru Memphis Tours (like in ancient capital of Egypt, not one in Tennessee). In business almost 60 yrs, very highly rated on TripAdvisor and us, and have private car, driver & guide for the cost of a bus tour. For others thinking of travel there.

11bravo

My info is archaic, but here goes:

Egypt: was there in 1977, having come surface from Khartoum (train to Wadi Haifa, then boat - 1 with working engine, another 2 without working engine lashed 1 on each side - deck class, travelling with locals) to Aswan, then down to Cairo by bus, taxi, train, donkey cart...

Pay whatever extra to see Abu Simbel (I took a day trip from Aswan or Luxor by plane - WORTH it).

Luxor: Back then, the big/famous tombs in Valley of the Kings lit by fluorescent lighting. In some of the smaller tombs, dimly lit if at all. But for some baksheesh (small tip), a worker would stand at the entrance with a large polished aluminum sheet reflecting sunlight down the hallway to another worker inside who had another polished sheet to move the sunlight around within the tomb. It's been decades since I've looked at my slides but as I remember, got some good shots inside. I entered any and all tombs I could; for ME, being fascinated by Egypt my whole life, worth it. King Tuts tomb worth entrance to me just to see it (I'm one of those who wandered around Troy for a day just because it was Troy).

The temples in Luxor are fantastic - worth any admittance fee. Some of the temple gates (the 2 story structures at the entrance) had internal staircases you could climb to the roof for a great view. Something to keep an eye out for.

See the fallen statue of Ozymandias. Also the Colossus of Memni. Temple of Hatshepsut.

Other cities/temples: see all that you can. Every one fascinating in their own way. Again, look for internal staircases inside the entrance gates.

Cairo: See the Citadel. I remember a patio/plaza/balcony next to it/in it with a breathtaking sheer 100 foot drop to the ground and a fantastic view over the city. Worth asking for.

See the museum. My understanding, there is a new one, don't know if the old one still contains anything. SEE them, the new and if still in operation, the old.

Pyramids: even back then, I knew to not fall for anything "free" (I'd heard it was "free" to get on a camel, costs to get off). Pay whatever to enter the Great Pyramid - the Grand Gallery is truly that, took my breath away (literally, it's a STEEP climb). Standing at the base of the pyramid, I was approached by a man. He read my mind, saying "You can't climb it on your own. The police will stop you. But for 50 pounds (then $50 USD) I'll take you to the top; they know me". That was expensive for me, so said no. I'll never forget his reply. "You think expensive. But you'll only do it once. If you come back 10 times, you'll never do it again. 50 pounds over your lifetime is not expensive." True logic and so I can say I stood on top of the Great Pyramid (and those blocks are a steep climb - some almost 3 feet high). Obviously can't do it today, but there are adventures to be had.

Both in Luxor and the pyramids, there was a sound and light show. Corny, but for me, worth it.

My only regret? None, except paid for a boat ride to see the Philae temple and its island. Back then, little did I know, it was being reconstructed, so it was literally just a pile of numbered blocks as they were raising the island.

Egypt is a bucket list item with unforgettable sights and memories.

Learn a few Arabic words:
salaam alaikum (greetings)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-salamu_alaykum

reply: alaikum salaam

and thank you: shukran

you're welcome: afwan

how are you: kif halik?

reply: quis (long i, fine), often followed by "ham do Allah (thanks be to God)

Goodbye: ma Assalamah

no: mafee

go (away): yala (keeps you from being pestered)

Bargain hard, but remember it's a game, not a death struggle. Enjoy a cup of tea while you do. Be street aware, as you would anywhere.

Drink only bottled water and carry a couple of liters while hiking - it is HOT. Avoid ice.

11bravo

More archaic info:

Was in Jordan in 1980, having backpacked through central Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and back to Istanbul.

Petra is more than you can imagine. The Treasury is incredible, especially on exiting the Siq. Make sure to hike to Ad Deir, The Monastery. The cliffs of carved temples, the library, the amphitheater, hike up to "The High Place".
Everywhere you look.

When I was there, only place to stay was the Guest House at the entrance to the Siq. Too expensive for me inside, but I asked and received permission to bed down in their garden. As I was laying out my sleeping pad, a policeman comes up and asks what I'm doing. I said I had permission to be there. His reply was worth gold: "No, don't sleep here, go down to the valley and stay with the Bedouins", pointing to the trail. Rolled up my gear and started down the Siq. It got dark quick before reaching the valley, so again started to lay down my bedroll. Heard hoofbeats, turned on my flashlight, and a rider asked what I was doing. Again, "Sleeping here." And again, a thankful response, "No, snakes, scorpions. You come with me." 2nd time that night, rolled up my bedroll. Took me to his home in the valley where I stayed for 3 days. Great, except for trying to keep up on foot with a mounted rider at night, but exiting the Siq at night and seeing the Treasury in moonlight was a memory that will flash by on my deathbed (Indiana Jones, you have nothing on me).

In Jordan, the crusader castle in Kerak is a definite visit, along with Jerash (Roman ruins).

Again, carry a lot of bottled water, and make sure there's a genuine seal on the bottle (of course, these days, anybody filling with tap water would have the capability to reproduce a seal).

Like Egypt, a few words of Arabic (especially a greeting) go a LONG way. Like Egypt, taking someone's picture will probably require a small fee (I always asked as some Muslims don't like their picture taken). As others have said, keeping small bills in an easily accessible pocket helpful. Be careful in crowds for pickpockets. But Arabic hospitality is well known.

Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

No, I don't speak Arabic. More people in Egypt and Jordan speak some English, more than during our 1982 self-drive trip through Italy, France, and Spain. Even the Bedouins in Wadi Rum, Jordan spoke English. Yes, you should take your 50mm F/1.4 with you. If you are going to Abydos - Temple of Seti, you will need it. I must say that I did hire a private tour guide in Luxor and in Giza. I think I paid $100-$120 a day. It was well worth it.