Looking for advice on Egypt and Thailand

[steveharriss]

Hard Rock Cafe etc in Naama Bay area are expensive but there's really something for every budget. My mate was adventurous enough to go off with a taxi driver to his mates kebab house and fed three for £4 uk!

Can only speak for the Tropicana Garden Palms and the Rosetta but the food standards are high and prices reasonable. Someone I dived with mentioned a Japanese restaurant in one of the Hotels that was excellent, but pricey.

[Quero]

I have to agree with Chantal. For the "mixed" couple, Phuket is ideal because there's plenty to do for the non-diver, and the day trip diving is very nice. There are all kinds of hotels, guesthouses, and holiday houses for rent in a huge variety of price ranges. I would advise that you stay in the southern end of the island rather than further north because the commute to the dive pier can be very long (and start very early) if you're outside the usual pickup area.

[Ferrets]

If you go to Phuket, you can do day diving trips to the Similan Islands. This in my opinion was by far the best diving in Thailand. Khao Lak is supposed to be the best place to do trips to the Similan Islands. I doubt there is as much to do there as Phuket (I haven't been) but this is where I would try if I went again.

Otherwise Thailand cannot really compare to the Red Sea for diving. The east coast is a beautiful place for a holiday and I really loved Koh Samui. Loads of divers go to an Island just north of here called Koh Tao. But to be honest the diving is pretty average. Generally, some areas can be a little seedy but you can get away from this easily enough if you choose the right resort.

Personally if diving was my priority, I would go to Sharm or Dahab. If not then prob somewhere in Thailand.

[Chantal]

I would not really recommend daytrips to The Similans especially from Phuket as the actual trip to and from takes all of 8 hours. So this would not give you much time with your Missus.

To really see the Similans and Surin islands you do need at least 4 days to do a decent Liveaboard cruise. This way you would see some of the best diving that Thailand has to offer.

Since you want to spend time with the family as well on Phuket you can find some operators who offer both the local boat dives to sites 5 mnutes off the beaches (only a few operators can offer these 1/2 day dives due to location) as well as the daytrips. The local shore and boat dives are pleasant, easy relaxing dives but not indicative of the best diving here. For those who travel with non divers and want to remain friends these sites are ideal.

[Nick Kay]

Originally Posted by ozza

thanks for all the feedback.

Got a question around sharm, anyone know how cheap it is too eat out, or for food at the hilton waterfalls?

Need to get a nice hotel for the missus as she doesnt dive, but it's only B+B

Thanks

Went to Sharm with my non-diving wife this Easter (not that I also have another wife that dives)

Stayed at the Marriot on a B&B basis - intentional as this forced us to get out - consequently, eat most night at Naama Bay:
- Camel Indian Restaurant - my wife loved it
- Camel Italian Restaurant - ditto
- The "D" steakhouse (sorry forgotten its name) - great steaks, cheap, ate their twice

Booked for Sharm for next Easter, though staying then at the Sheraton

Longwoods have some great deal at the moment

[Ferrets]

Originally Posted by Chantal

I would not really recommend daytrips to The Similans especially from Phuket as the actual trip to and from takes all of 8 hours. So this would not give you much time with your Missus.

To really see the Similans and Surin islands you do need at least 4 days to do a decent Liveaboard cruise. This way you would see some of the best diving that Thailand has to offer.

When I was there, we went on a speedboat that did the journey in about 1hr 30 mins each way. Pretty sure there are still similar trips available. Not the most comfortable journey though. Khao Lak is further north so the journey time would be much shorter from there. I agree the local diving in Phuket is much easier to reach and probably worth a couple of trips if you are there. Just I wasn't personally that impressed with it!

[Mary]

For eating out in Sharm Pomodoro next to Camel is also worth a look.

[Nick Kay]

Egyptian - Abu el Sid (on top of Hard Rock cafe)
Indian - Camel Hotel Tandori
Italian - Camel hotel Pomodoro
Fish - Sinai Star or Red Sea fish in old town
Thai/Asian - Silk Road (Grand Rotana Hotel)
Thai - Hyatt Regency – eat outside under the stars
Steak - Dananeers

[Loctite]

Baron resort is amazing and dive center on beach.

All the above resturants are great especially Dananeer.

If you do Thailand then please do the similian islands. I dived Phucket, phi phi etc but the similians are the best. Either do it liveaboard or early mini bus then speed boat out to the boats

[NidgeCass]

Hi Man,

Thailand - Phuket, Patong Beach. Scuba Cat. 4 day liveaboards to Similans and Richileau Rock. Splendid. Also day boat to places like King Cruiser. Strong Current. Lionfish. Book with Scuba Cat. They are a fine bunch of people and also have their own bar. Where the evening starts. Then out for a meal of fresh fish. Then on to Bangla Road. Plenty of bars. Shipwrecked was a personal fave. Very lively. Very good fun. VERY. Dont be a pussy and avoid this place like some are suggesting. Have a fine time. Dont tell the missus about having a Thai massage. :-)

Hurghada - been twice and loved the place. Excellent diving. Look for Easy Divers. You will have a great time. Nightlife - some reasonably good restaurants, no better and no worse than any other place in Egypt. Beers? Look for Papas and Papas 2. Excellent IQ store there too! :-)

Sharm Waterfalls? We stayed there last October on our honeymoon. VERY classy. Romantic. Private beach for diving and snorkelling. Plenty o0f bars and pools for er indoors. Several restaurants - a main one, an Italian, an Indonesian. Bar at the top of the beach where you can watch the sun set. Red Sea Diving College (or something like that) have a base there. You wiull be picked up every day. Job done. You MUST do the Thistlegorm. Taxi 10 mins to Naama Bay. Derad cheap. Best place I ate was an Indonesian on the roof of the centre directly opposite Camel Bar. Splendid. Missus would love Waterfalls. I would eat out every night - nothing wrong with the food there - we ate at the Italian once, but we simply prefer to have a wander around and find a restaurant rather than eat in the hotel every night.

PM me if you want more info.