First Visit?

[HEPZIBAH]

I was reading a review site recently and was amazed by how little time people thought they could do all the Luxor sights and sites in.
Even I, who does not really do tombs and temples, but is more than happy to visit a few occasionally, know that such ambitious programming is just not a reality. I am of the 'respectful glance and move on' type of tourist and do not need to look at every glyph or chisel mark.

If you were planning your first trip to Luxor, but only had two full days and nights to explore, what would be on your list of priorities?
Without your present knowledge of Luxor, would your list have been realistic.

[carrie]

Oh Hepzibah, that takes me back to my first visit to Luxor. One week and the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Hapchetsut. Abu Simbal, sound and light at Karnak, Luxor temple I wanted to see it all. I returned home completely exhausted needing a holiday.
Two days isn't very long and a lot depends on the time of year you visit, summer it's impossible to do too many sites and even winter it is hot in the Valleys.
These are not necessarily my favourite places now, but as a first time visitor my priorities would be Karnak, Valley of the Kings or Queens and Hatchepsut.

[carrie]

I forgot Luxor Museum.

[Sdo]

Or bother to do any research before they visit. Many years ago, at the Giza Pyramids, I was asked where is the way to the Valley of the Kings!!!!!!

[newcastle]

As Sdo suggests, the clue to a successful 2 - day trip to Luxor is to do some preliminary research.....and to realise there’s bugger all to do in the evening.

It’s also useful to take on board that Luxor is divided In two by the Nile and you need to know how to deal with Egyptians....and the ubiquitous “guides” offering to show you this and that ( including their bananas )

My own preference would be Karnak, the museum , a sunset sail and Luxor Temple by night for day one.

On day two, a balloon trip at dawn followed by a west bank tour....Medinet Habu, a few nobles’ tombs, Nefertari tomb in VoQ, Seti I and Ramesses V/VI in VoK and a nice lunch somewhere.

I’d give Hatshepsut a miss. There’s plenty of concrete reconstruction where I live in London

[Who2]

You forgot lunch at The Marsam !..........

[newcastle]

You forgot lunch at The Marsam !..........

No I didn’t....” a nice lunch somewhere”....but I didn’t think one was allowed to advertise here

[Who2]

Well advertising all the above monuments, balloons and museum in my eyes is still advertising.
All this visiting and no mention of lavatorial breaks one thinks of Oliguria. (or does one ?)
And as the average age to Luxor is 50 plus and that urinary retention can be quite acute, in both sexes.
One feels a list of 'rest rooms would be advantageous, advertising or not.
The 7 'P's come to mind...qed...
Ps: That's a lot of pees...
P*ss: Anyone tell me of a public toilet in Luxor ?....'anyone ?

[Teddyboy]

Public toilet in Luxor???? You must be a proper glutton for punishment, Dr.
Mind, there used to be one at the VOK, where toilet paper was 1le per sheet, iirc.

[HEPZIBAH]

I can think of at least two public toilets in Luxor:
1)On the Lower Cornich near the Fire Hoses. The Ladies loo was perfectly OK and fit for purpose. Unfortunately, when walking past the Gents loos you could often see...and smell...too much.
2) On the Tourist Souk, fairly central, there is a (usually well hidden) door that apparently is the entrance to a public loo. I've never felt the need to explore further.

[Yildez]

The best source of information about loos in Luxor is Carrie!! She is the fount of all knowledge when it comes to spending a penny (or more) and has been known to suggest a stop at a favourite place “just in case!” Sometimes a nod to reception staff is enough - they all know her! - sometimes a short pit stop for a drink is necessary - always a cup of English tea for her. Public toilet? Nope, never been to one in Luxor, Carries recommendations are good enough for me! Maybe she should write ‘The Definitive Guide to Lovely Loos in Luxor’

[carrie]

Oh I have been to some loo's in Luxor, Medina Club loo, full of cockroaches, same with Shaba Club. Stinking vile places, the one in the souk not too bad but you have to find someone who knows where the man with the key is. Railway station loos, ugh!
The nicest I think is Sofra's loo, the hotels loo's are on the whole not too bad. Agricultural Club, not posh but clean.
As Yildez says I have a thing about going for a wee, I even introduced her to one in Datca where she has lived for yonks.
The best one though was in the desert on the way to Kharga, remember Yildez?
I have also been to the police loo's at most of the checkpoints, not the most salubrious of places but needs must.
Yildez and I once wanted the loo and asked at a checkpoint in the middle of no where, the officer in charge sent one of the men in to check and clean it for us, one poor laddie had just filled his bucket with hot water so that he could have a wash down. The place where the poor squaddies where sleeping was filthy, Yildez very kindly tipped his water down the loo much to his dismay.
The most trouble I have got into was at the pyramids, costs 2le to use them and two nasty witches on duty to make sure you pay.
A friend and I were just leaving when we noticed a group of school children wanting to 'go'. The toilet attendants wouldn't let them in unless they paid, most of them had no money, only small kiddies and some looked quite desperate. I remonstrated with the two attendants, no good they refused to let them in.
Ended up my friend and I counted heads and payed for them to go in.

[newcastle]

From Jane Akshar’s bog blog May 2018 :

Top Tips for Toilets

A point was just made to me which I had not considered. Loos (UK expression) the John (American expression I believe). I would really appreciate any comments about good and bad and I will update this post

First point, most toilets have internal bidets which wash your bum so toilet paper is only used to dry yourself hence the request to place it in the bin. Reach down right hand side and you will find a tap. I love it, so fresh and clean and miss the system when I go back to the UK. Sometimes there is a hose instead. Sometimes both. The water comes from the mains.

Second, various experiences but I would like more. I don’t often go while I am out, especially on the west bank, so have little experience. Please email me jane.akshar @ gmail.com

The toilets just before the Open Air Museum at Karnak are ground floor but not wheelchair accessible
Valley of the Kings accessible and great
Kitchener island toilets well signposted “WC” signs
Suhail Nubian Village near Aswan dam excellent

Nobody seems to mind/notice tourists using hotels and restaurants so ones I have snuck in and used in Luxor
• Nile Palace Hotel ground floor, in the lobby to your right as you enter.
• Snack time overlooking Luxor temple has a lift, toilets are 1st floor
• Ramasseum café, ground floor, very basic
• Fayrouz Hotel ground floor but steps involved, basic
• Winter Palace Hotel, 1st floor but you can get the lift by going in the luggage entrance under the stairs

I’m not sure things have changed much in the last two years.

Can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed the sensation of a jet of water ( probably cold) up my rear but...

chacun à son goût

[Who2]

I said public loos, that's loos for the public..
I know many good hotel loos, nice hand towels and expensive beers.
Good restaurants or bars or rest houses that all have excellent loos.
Even Hammess' loo is just acceptable and the loo down to the motor boats for police, bazaar owners and me
(if you know where the key is ?) acceptable.

So loos for the public...sah ?

A local loo's lurker...

Speaking of which
'He flew luxor-aswan-cairo-heathrow, all full planes all the way, and having been here since Sunday,
he still seems pretty unaware of of the world's current problem 'bless...

Ps: Hate to admit it, I once p*ssed inside the great pyramid. It also smells like a lot of others do.
My excuse was, I was in overnight.
Pss: I recognized JA in luxor: love & lust

[newcastle]

So loos for the public...sah ?

A local loo's lurker...

A tad overdressed for cottaging. Still.....

chacun à son goût

[HEPZIBAH]

I said public loos, that's loos for the public..

So loos for the public...sah ?

I believe the two I mentioned are for the public, although the gents on the Cornish is probably more for the men working down there, and I have on occasion had to ask for the key for the ladies loo (which was also the bicycle store for the man with the key - hence it sometimes being locked).

I've just remembered another one - it's located in the 'new' Savoy Bazaar on the right hand side as you walk from the town side towards the Nile. You may well have to drop a coin or two for the 'cleaner' to move her/himself off their upturned bucket blocking the entrance door.

Of course, there are the loos at the various sites, which are Public loos too, but one would expect, nay hope for, loos to be provided in one form or another at tourist sites.

Going in to a restaurant or hotel to use a loo is not quite the same as going to a Public loo - that is more a matter of 'convenience'.

[crewmeal]

Miriam Margolyes is very critical on public toilets and always carries a toilet roll where ever she goes, at least on the latest Real Marigold Hotel series. Perhaps we should take a leaf out of her book so to speak.

[hatusu]

One thing I really really miss when I go back to the UK each summer is Egyptian toilets. Why don't UK bathrooms have toilets with built in water spout like Egyptian ones ?

[HEPZIBAH]

Why don't UK bathrooms have toilets with built in water spout like Egyptian ones ?

Because it's too darned cold here most of the time to risk it. No one likes chapped skin, and nappy rash is badon babies and definitely not good for adults.

[newcastle]

Why don't UK bathrooms have toilets with built in water spout like Egyptian ones ?

Because it's too darned cold here most of the time to risk it. No one likes chapped skin, and nappy rash is badon babies and definitely not good for adults.

They’re also a bit primitive. Heaven knows what clogs up that spout. But, if you prefer using your hand rather than toilet paper, I suppose there’s little alternative.

We have bidets for those who wish to wash their nether regions after using the toilet.