I always avoid using debit cards when I am abroad, but it is now a must if you are visiting any site in Luxor, earlier this year I was able to pay to get into Karnack, now impossible. I was sat in the Ramassum cafe WB, on one day enjoying the peace and tranquillity, when suddenly four young French people arrived, they had walked all the way from the Kings Valley, they asked if they could buy a bottle of water (40LE) and pay by card, a refusal was offered, and off they went. My question, if able to ask, would have been 'How the hell did they get to the Kings Valley'.
Visited Luxor Temple, it was a Friday, at around 4p.m, the best time in my opinion, so as to walk through in day light, and return through as the lights go on. As I was leaving, a great crowd of people where arriving. I have never seen such a huge amount of people ever in that temple, and certainly glad to be getting out.
It is impossible to walk the full length of the Avenue. To get a full view is to get to the old Susan Mubarak Cultural Centre, from there you will be able to see why. I took the back road through old Karnack village following the Avenue on my right. As I got nearer to the temple, I suddenly discovered the old road that lead to the huge great gate was off limits, infact even the road, shops, and houses had gone. You are not allowed anywhere in that area.
For someone who has not been to Luxor for many years, I recommend a walk from the old Etap along the new Corniche north towards Karnack, this is where you will discover the new ferry port, the new updated General Hospital, and a truly relaxing experience.
What did surprise me, was that on the lower part of the Corniche between the Iberotel and the Winter Palace, are now full of various restaurants, where mostly young Egyptian people gather in the evening, with inflation at 30%, I'm wondering are we seeing a new affluent young middle class in Luxor.
You might be suprised to discover that there are new traffic light on the main road, and vehicles must stop, however, what many have not realised yet are the cameras high above at these points. When once a year you go to renew your license you are faced with all the violations, you are not informed as at each time, and must pay for all of them, or you lose your license. Warning - motorbikes tend to ignore these traffic lights, so take care when crossing a road at these points.
Credit - Debit Cards.
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Re: Credit - Debit Cards.
Regarding credit/debit cards, usually small retailers have a minimum amount before they accept cards. I’m not sure about Egypt apart from the duty free shop at the airport.
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Re: Credit - Debit Cards.
"When once a year you go to renew your license you are faced with all the violations, you are not informed as at each time, and must pay for all of them, or you lose your license."
This used to be (probably still is!) the way with caleche licences, too. My caleche mate used to drop the policeman at the railway crossing (on Sharia Mustafa Kamel) a pound every time he crossed it from the wrong direction (this was years ago, before much pulling down of properties and with the old one-way system). However, he was incensed to find that his palm-greasing exercise hadn't been effective when licence renewing day came around and he was presented with a thick wad of tickets, mounting to several hundred pounds!
This used to be (probably still is!) the way with caleche licences, too. My caleche mate used to drop the policeman at the railway crossing (on Sharia Mustafa Kamel) a pound every time he crossed it from the wrong direction (this was years ago, before much pulling down of properties and with the old one-way system). However, he was incensed to find that his palm-greasing exercise hadn't been effective when licence renewing day came around and he was presented with a thick wad of tickets, mounting to several hundred pounds!
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