Australia “Walk like an Egyptian” tourist says fear “hardly lives up to reality”

CAIRO - April 24, 2017: Australian tourist Zoe Russel, who became an overnight celebrity in Egypt after her video on a trip to the country went viral, said fear or what one hears about a country “hardly ever lives up to the reality when you get there.”

Russel told Egypt Today that a pleasant surprise to her and her partner Brad Moore was how cheap it was to holiday around Egypt.She visited Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and South Sinai, where she filmed a video clip synching the 1980s hit “Walk like an Egyptian”.

“The only disappointing thing for us was that we went to Sharm el-Sheikh specifically to dive the Thistlegorm, but because of the tourism downturn, they weren’t running boats out to the wreck as there weren’t enough tourists. But that is a reason to go back one day!” she said.

The Brisbane holidaymaker said she would tell fellow Australians that Egypt is safe, given the check travel warnings, and “possibly go in a tour group.” She added that reputable tour companies work with local authorities to minimize any risks.

Russell, having visited Egypt in February 2016, expressed her love to Egypt, which is “so different to Australia,” thanking Egyptians, who were “amazing, friendly and welcoming,” for “opening [their] hearts and home to [them].”

Egypt has been a travel destination for Zoe since she learned about its history in school, saying she “couldn’t quite believe such a place exists,” citing her visits to the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and Dahab, as well as sailing the River Nile.