Got bit by the bug
#1
Posted 09 April 2024 - 08:50 PM
So, my question is how far out do I need to book travel to Egypt? Do I go with an eclipse tour or just do it myself? I guess any advice would be appreciated.
- jrussell and quantumgiggles like this
#2
Posted 10 April 2024 - 01:07 AM
I think I may be an umbraphile. I spent the entirety of totality crying and repeating "I can see it" over and over again (I think I was saying that because I'm in Dallas and so much of the eclipse leading up to totality was overcast).
So, my question is how far out do I need to book travel to Egypt? Do I go with an eclipse tour or just do it myself? I guess any advice would be appreciated.
Egypt will be a thing yeah. There are people there who are, let's put it this way, not too friendly towards us from the US and EU. So you do need to have a group or safe viewing location. For me that's the primary reason to choose Spain over Egypt. It'll cost me 2 minutes but the location in Spain is so much easier. And I can drive the distance by car which makes planning easier as well.
- jrussell likes this
#3
Posted 10 April 2024 - 04:54 PM
I think the location for 27 in Spain will make it a disaster. So many people are going to cram into the last little bit of continent. And if it's cloudy, you're hosed, there will be nowhere to run. Crossing to Tangier might work. Longer eclipse, more space.
As for Egypt, I'd go with a tour if you can for a few reasons. I think the risk of violence upon your person is overblown - I have many friends and colleagues who travel in Egypt and find a warm welcome. What problem there is generally isn't in the area you'd be going. (The reverse is also true: Lots and lots of non-Americans are afraid to come here, convinced they'll be shot. Of course, hardly any tourists get shot here.)
But, and it's a big but, there are language and visa issues that won't occur in Spain for Americans and Europeans. There also aren't a large number of lodging options in the Egyptian path. If Cairo or Alexandria were in the path, it'd be much, much easier. As it is, a DIY trip may already find most lodgings booked.
Make sure you can tolerate heat if you choose Egypt (or Spain, for that matter).
The other reason to choose a tour is you can do the major Egyptian tourist draws. It will be expensive but if you're at all interested in the subject, it's a nice way to tie together two bucket list items in one go. And, if you get clouded out, you still had an amazing experience.
- Diana N and Alan D. Whitman like this
#4
Posted 11 April 2024 - 02:06 PM
I'd honestly go more for a southern Mediterranean cruise vs. Egypt. Very high % chance of sunshine. I'm a bit leery about trying to get into a country run by a military dictatorship.
Of course, Egypt would have one big advantage -- solid ground. Wouldn't the motion of the cruise ship cause at least some issues at higher focal lengths for those trying to image from the deck?
Clear Skies,
Phil
Edited by Phillip Creed, 11 April 2024 - 02:07 PM.
#5
Posted 13 April 2024 - 04:39 PM
For those who may be nervous about Egypt, Astro Trails is also offering 2027 eclipse tours in Morocco and Tunisia. Slightly shorter totality length, but further away from the hotspot that is the Middle East.
I haven't seen any southern Mediterranean eclipse cruises announced yet, but they are probably coming.
- kfiscus likes this
#6
Posted 13 April 2024 - 09:12 PM
Of course, Egypt would have one big advantage -- solid ground. Wouldn't the motion of the cruise ship cause at least some issues at higher focal lengths for those trying to image from the deck?
It depends on the weather of the day of course, but in November, 2012 in the wide open South Pacific people were successfully imaging with scopes up to 6-inch refractors. Ships have stabilizers, essentially underwater wings.
- Diana N likes this