An alternative Sham El Neseem
Sham El Neseem is coming up and
hoards of Egyptians will be headed to the coastal cities to have some fun in
the sun. All of the close beach destinations: Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, North
Coast and Ras Sidr will be teeming with people eager to get away from everyday
life and splash in the sea. However, if you do not like crowded beaches, the
smell of sweat mixed with iodine and screaming babies, then you will most
likely stay in the city. But that does not mean there are not a lot of
interesting things to do.
Here is a list of a few things we
recommend that will make sure you enjoy a delightful Sham El Neseem.
Go to the park really early to avoid
crowds and high temperature
Bianca Spelt/AFP/Getty Images
Bianca Spelt/AFP/Getty Images
Stage an early-day egg hunt
Colouring eggs is a common tradition
associated with Sham El Neseem, but how about taking it a step further?
Borrowing the activity from the closely linked Easter holiday, an egg hunt
might provide a lot of entertainment. If you are stuck with family or friends
in the city, you might want to consider paying a visit to a park and setting
the scene. It is recommended that you go to the park pretty early so as to
avoid being stuck with the crowds who will come to the park to enjoy their feseekh
and pickled herrings in the great outdoors.
If you are in the mood for something
a little fancier, buy a few chocolate eggs from one of the local bakeries
available all around the city and using those instead of normal coloured eggs.
When you win the game, you also find a chocolaty treat, doubling the fun of a treasure
deftly found. Just make sure to hold these hunts early in the day.
Spend the day (or night) at a hotel
If you want to really capture the
feeling of being on holiday, extend your stay and spend the night at the hotel,
which means paying only a little extra. This way you can enjoy the Easter
brunch as part of the package. You can also try the hotel’s spa facilities and
maybe enjoy a sauna or a massage to unwind from the stresses of urban life.
Take a day trip
There are a couple of destinations
that are a short drive away, such as Fayoum and the Suez Canal area. Both
locations have a lot to offer and are less than two hours away. No reservations
needed, you can just get in the car, drive down and enjoy what each city has to
offer.
In Fayoum you can visit the famous
Lake Qarun, also known as Lake Moeris. The ancient lake is believed to have
formed in the end of the Miocene era, and that it was a fresh water lake at the
time. It was recorded by Ancient Egyptians for the first time in 3000 BCE and
several pharaohs conducted projects that linked the lake to the Nile. It is
believed that the lake originally submerged the complete area of Fayoum, but
eventually time and being connected to the Nile drained a lot of it. Visiting
the lake is refreshing as it is usually windy and there are a few shops close
to the lake where you can enjoy a coffee or an ice cream while taking in the
scenery.
Also in Fayoum you find the
archaeological site of the Pyramid of Hawara. The pyramid, which was once white
but now is black, is believed to have been built by Amenemhet III to mark his
final resting place. Visiting the Wadi Elryan reserve is another great
option if you are a wildlife buff. It is famous as a resting spot for migrating
birds, so get your binoculars ready.
If you are visiting the Suez Canal
area, you would be mistaken not to enjoy the seafood. Check out Nefertiti, a
well-known fish restaurant in Ismailia. Though it’s far from a five-star
restaurant, its traditional seafood dishes are bound to send you in a
food-induced coma. If you are still longing for a beach while exploring this
part of the country, pay Lake Timsah a visit, where you can choose from many
beaches, both private and public.
When you are in Port Said, just walk
to the seafront and take a couple of pictures of the canal. The picturesque
port has been photographed across time and is one of the significant vistas of
the seaside city. History buffs should make sure to go to the Military Museum,
where you can find information about the Suez Canal, the 1956 Suez Crisis, and
the 1973 war.
Finally, there is no shortage of
things to keep you busy in Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city. Besides
excellent dining options and hotels like the fancy Four Seasons, you can visit
the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and its multiple permanent museums. Another staple
is taking a swim in Montazah, surrounded by its lush gardens, taking a stroll
down the Corniche eating gelato, or visiting the Graeco-Roman ruins in the
city. Alexandria also has many parks and all of them will be suitable locations
for an Easter picnic.
Book a place on a commercial yacht
There are many yachts that can be
chartered for a day, and it makes for a nice ride on the Nile as it is very
different from a bumpy ride on a felluca. It is not cheap and will set you back
significantly if you plan on renting a yacht by yourself; however, it is very
doable with a group of friends or relatives.
Another option is to book a place on
a commercial yacht at one of the special parties for Sham El Neseem. While this
is a cheaper option (it will probably cost less than EGP 200), it does mean you
will be stuck for the greater portion of the day with strangers and loud music.
Feseekh and herring in the park
One of the oldest traditions
Egyptians still uphold during Easter is their gastronomic habits. Feseekh,
Egyptian herring and onions are some of the most aromatic and pungent foods
around, and they will be on display in abundance on Easter, when Egyptians
typically take them to parks to consume them.
Feseekh is a type of fish that is buried in sand and preserved for
a few months until it is eaten. It is said that the fish has been prepared this
way by Egyptians since ancient times, and does not look it is an endangered
tradition at this point in time.
Be careful though, not every stomach
is adapted to enjoy the acquired taste of preserved fish and each year, the
ministry of health issues a statement warning people not to consume too much feseekh
and keep to hygiene standards. Do not worry though, if you know where the fish
comes from and you pace yourself while eating, you will be fine. Herring and
onions are obviously gentler on the stomach and you will be fine if you are
able to put up with the smell. Though there are not many parks per se in Cairo,
the city’s residents will get very creative, using even the smallest green
spaces for a picnic with smelly fish.
Horseback riding
Take advantage of the beautiful
weather before it gets too hot and go horseback riding in any of the city’s
numerous venues for the sport. Though typically reserved for the upper-class,
this is a very popular tourist activity and is usually available near popular
attractions like the pyramids.
Other options include the Shabramant
area, the Saqqara area, and many places in Giza and 6th of October
City. For those on the other end of town, the Concorde El Salam hotel in
Heliopolis also offers horseback riding. The Gezira Sporting Club in Zamalek
will admit you for a monthly fee to use their stables, although there is no day
use.
Giza Zoo
Another popular activity on Easter,
or really any holiday, is to go to the Giza Zoo. Conveniently located across
from the Four Seasons hotel, the Giza Zoo is where many Egyptians will take
their kids and spend the day looking at exotic animals.
Be warned though that despite its
convenient location and its size, the Giza Zoo has fallen in standards in
recent years, and specifically since the 2011 uprising. While some have
complained about the conditions the animals have to endure, this has not
stopped Egyptians from enjoying the zoo and its many sections. You can be
certain that, given the low price of the entrance fee, many will be taking
their feseekh and herring to the Zoo
Orman Park
This park was built to house rare
and imported trees and hosts a flower exhibition each spring. Given that the
weather in Egypt is just right during Easter, there is no better time to enjoy
the garden’s exotic flowers and collection of rare trees. There are other parks
in Egypt, but none have the same charm or history that the Orman Park has,
despite it having suffered some damage during recent clashes in the area over
the past few years.
Be warned, however, that it will be very
crowded during Easter, so be sure to go early if you plan on going.
Maryland
One of the oldest parks in
Heliopolis, the Maryland is a landmark of the neighbourhood and is located in
the Roxy area. It is famous for housing many family-themed restaurants and an
artificial pond where children go to feed ducks that is especially popular.
There is a fee to enter this park and the restaurants inside mean you cannot
waltz in with your feseekh and herring, but it also means the park will
not be as crowded as many of the other public free-entry parks in Heliopolis or
Cairo in general.
Sham
El Neseem is coming up and hoards of Egyptians will be headed to the
coastal cities to have some fun in the sun. All of the close beach
destinations: Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, North Coast and Ras Sidr will be
teeming with people eager to get away from everyday life and splash in
the sea. However, if you do not like crowded beaches, the smell of sweat
mixed with iodine and screaming babies, then you will most likely stay
in the city. But that does not mean there are not a lot of interesting
things to do. - See more at:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/04/17/alternative-sham-el-neseem/#sthash.VPRJtIXn.dpuf
Sham
El Neseem is coming up and hoards of Egyptians will be headed to the
coastal cities to have some fun in the sun. All of the close beach
destinations: Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, North Coast and Ras Sidr will be
teeming with people eager to get away from everyday life and splash in
the sea. However, if you do not like crowded beaches, the smell of sweat
mixed with iodine and screaming babies, then you will most likely stay
in the city. But that does not mean there are not a lot of interesting
things to do. - See more at:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/04/17/alternative-sham-el-neseem/#sthash.VPRJtIXn.dpuf
Sham
El Neseem is coming up and hoards of Egyptians will be headed to the
coastal cities to have some fun in the sun. All of the close beach
destinations: Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, North Coast and Ras Sidr will be
teeming with people eager to get away from everyday life and splash in
the sea. However, if you do not like crowded beaches, the smell of sweat
mixed with iodine and screaming babies, then you will most likely stay
in the city. But that does not mean there are not a lot of interesting
things to do. - See more at:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/04/17/alternative-sham-el-neseem/#sthash.VPRJtIXn.dpuf
Comments
Post a Comment