"Crikey, did you see that Stingray, Carrot!"

Who can tell me what a Galabeya is then?
Or do I have to go-a-googling?

Alan, I am surprised at you. I am actually sitting here writing this reply, wearing a Galabeya! It's the long, ankle length garment worn by most egyptian males and also that icon of international fashion, Swisssinai!

I have worn them since I first visited Egypt many moons ago and find them most comfortable for home wear, although for some reason I have never plucked up courage to wear them in Egypt except on "galabeya night" on cruise ships. I noticed on our recent visit that The Coral was holding a galabeya night on the beach every week.

Well I assumed it was - but I'm more into wildlife than fashionable nightware and hadn't heard what they were called. Besides if ever I ask one of the locals what anything is they tell me in an Arabic way I can't hold well in my British-tuned mind.

While we are on the subject - what do the locals call the whirling dervish? Elsewhere he's a Sufi (actually a type of religion) but Mostafa told me the local term which I think he said means 'fast man'.

Salopettes - pith helmets... Carrot I've just nearly choked!

Excellent..... now, where did I put my salopettes!