Second time is a Sharm - Nov 5-12, 2023

[VikingDiver]

All paid, flights booked, ready to go!!!

 

[VikingDiver]

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

step.state.gov

Egypt

www.cia.gov

 

[VikingDiver]

Ok, I’m ready, let’s go!!!!

 

[deep bubbles]

Ok, I’m ready, let’s go!!!!

I second that!

 

[AdamBOM]

Hello all - unfortunately, I can no longer join you all on this trip. :-(

 

[VikingDiver]

Hello all - unfortunately, I can no longer join you all on this trip. :-(

Sadness

 

[Lakediver]

Just a reminder to submit your visa application, if you haven't done so already!

For those of you flying through Istanbul, you'll also need a visa for Turkey if you plan to leave the airport. https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

 

[deep bubbles]

Just a reminder to submit your visa application, if you haven't done so already!

For those of you flying through Istanbul, you'll also need a visa for Turkey if you plan to leave the airport. https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

So excited!

Also if you decide you want a cool looking Visa stamp for Egypt then you can get it from The General Consulate of Egypt Houston which takes 2 days maximum to get back (picture). Egypt now offers the evisa portal online which is nice...or you can just stand in line at the Sharm airport for a visa if you should decide to.

 

[VikingDiver]

So excited!

Also if you decide you want a cool looking Visa stamp for Egypt then you can get it from The General Consulate of Egypt Houston which takes 2 days maximum to get back (picture). Egypt now offers the evisa portal online which is nice...or you can just stand in line at the Sharm airport for a visa if you should decide to.

Have e-visa, want the cool stamp though

 

[deep bubbles]

Also remember to pack outlet adapters for electronics. They have types C and F at the hotel.

 

[Lakediver]

Also remember to pack outlet adapters for electronics. They have types C and F at the hotel.

Thanks for the reminder! I just came across this on Amazon. It's a combo power strip and outlet adapter. I might need two ...

 

[Sushi Boy]

Well, the Turkish e-visa site is soooo much easier to use than the Egyptian one. Got both submitted though, already have the approved visa for Turkey.

For those staying on the 17ish hour layover on the way there, what are y'all's thoughts on lodging? I'm leaning toward staying somewhere close to the airport since we'll need to be back there fairly early Sunday morning.

For the layover on the way home, I'm staying at Hotel Arcadia Blue, fwiw.

 

[deep bubbles]

Myself and Ken are both staying at Hotel Sultan Hill that sits behind the Blue Mosque and Jens hotel is nearby also. Most tourism sites close early but there are a few that stay open late such as the Cistern and Hagia Sophia so we are going to walk to those and you are welcome to join us.

 

[Lakediver]

I'm at Dersaadet Hotel, which is also really close to the Blue Mosque. It's about a block away from Laura and Ken's hotel.

 

[Sushi Boy]

Cool thanks. My guess is it'll take an hour or more to get out of the airport. The drive to the Blue Mosque area is another hour once you're in the car. Allowing time for hotel check-in and dropping bags, that would get us on the streets about 8:30 - 9 pm. Call me an old man, but that sounds like enough time for dinner before heading back to the hotel to catch a few Z's before a 5:30-6:00 am wake up call to get back to the airport.

I think I'm going to look for a spot closer to the airport, maybe along the Black Sea coast, for a more leisurely Saturday night. I have 2 1/2 days on the return trip for exploring Istanbul.

 

[Sushi Boy]

Ok, have my Saturday night stay booked at Villa Siesta Hotel, about 20 mins from the airport.

 

[VikingDiver]

This time next month……..

 

[Sushi Boy]

Both of my e-visas have now been approved.

It's all over but the packing!

 

[VikingDiver]

So excited!

Also if you decide you want a cool looking Visa stamp for Egypt then you can get it from The General Consulate of Egypt Houston which takes 2 days maximum to get back (picture). Egypt now offers the evisa portal online which is nice...or you can just stand in line at the Sharm airport for a visa if you should decide to.

 

[Heidi Ho]

I daresay, Humphrey, is that a shorn @VikingDiver I see in the visa?