Jordan Part II

After spending the morning bobbing in the Dead Sea and trying to see across to the Promised Land it was time for an afternoon in the Spa. We had decided to spend a day relaxing and it was one of the best ideas I have had!!!! I had the Dead Sea package which consisted off: salt scrub, dead sea wrap, massage and facial. It was fantastic! Very relaxing and I am convinced I look 20 years younger......I am sure our guide felt 20 years younger after having a day free of the two of us!! We were off to Petra-one of the reasons for the trip! We drove along the Dead Sea and saw the phosphate, sulpher and Dead Sea product factories. We also stopped off at one of the crusader castles in the middle of the country. I can't even describe the amazing landscapes throughout the whole country. I have never seen so many different types of land formations. We spent the day traversing the country, shopping and eating before arriving in the city that is right outside of Petra. We were up early the next day and met our guide who would walk us through Petra. We walked about 2 kms from the visitors center through the "Siq" which is a narrow walkway that has been carved out by water throughout the years. It also served as a natural defense throughout centuries. Petra is also a "lost city" and was not rediscovered until the early '30's. Just when you think you will never get there the "Siq" opens up and you are staring at the Treasury which was carved out of the face of a giant slab of rock. I will provide pictures because it is impossible to describe....until I had made the plans to go to Petra I had thought the Treasury was all there was to Petra...little did I know. We needed two full days there. We walked through city, seeing all of the tombs, the collanade where shops and houses were until we reached the steps to the Monastery. While walking we were offered donkey rides, camel rides and postcards for a dinar! There are still two bedouin tribes that live in Petra. I have decided my retirement plans must include living in Petra and being in charge of the donkeys-camels seem too tempermental! The monastery is at the top of 950 steps, for some reason when I heard this I pictured 950 steps straight up to the top but I was wrong. The steps wound through a mountain-and there were some rather precarious moments. Off course we had to give the donkeys carrying people to the top the right of way. The donkey's were led by 5-6 year old bedouin children-I'm still not sure who was in charge-the donkeys or the children! After about an hour we made it to the top and it was fantastic. The walk up was part of the adventure-once again the views were absolutely stunning. After reaching the top we continued to explore and I was thrilled to find a diet coke! We headed back down and wandered back to the Siq-it got dark at about 4:30 and we wanted to be out before it was dark-but that was not the last we saw of Petra. That night at 8:30 we joined 458 of our closest friends and went to Petra after dark. The Bedouins set up candles through the Siq and we were all asked to quietly make our way down to the Treasury. It was amazing to walk through the Siq-the moon was full, it was quiet and so peaceful. Once we got back to the Treasury candles were lined up on the ground in front of the monument and we all sat on the ground, were given tea and listened to two musicians play old Bedouin music. It was fantastic.
Unfortunately we only had one day left......but as they say the best is often saved for last. We went to Wadi Rum-which is where Lawrence of Arabia was filled. We loaded into the back of a Toyota pickup (no such thing as OSHA or toilet paper in Jordan!!!) and were driven through Wadi Rum-once again it was indescribable-so I have included pictures....I have already decided that I am going back to Jordan in the fall. You can stay overnight in Wadi Rum at a Bedouin camp (they may even let me take care of the donkeys!!!).

Well I am thrilled that it is the New Year-lots of changes in store for me this year. Off to Italy for some skiing in a couple of weeks-not to worry I will be a much better blogger this year!!!

Another New Year, Another Resolution!

I seem to remember making the resolution last year that I would be better at keeping my blog up to date. Unfortunately, as with most of my other resolutions, that did not seem to happen. Why don't I try this again????

I just returned from an absolutely fantastic trip to Jordan. Jordan (especially Petra) has always been on my "bucket" list. When I thought my next posting would not be anywhere near Jordan I convinced a friend to join me in leaving winter in The Hague behind and heading to Jordan. I had been looking forward to this trip for months and was worried it would not live up to expectations....the trip was fantastic and not only lived up to but exceeded all expectations!!! If you ever have the chance to get to Jordan the country is amazing. As always when traveling there is one major draw back: toilet paper is considered a luxury not a necessity! Of course this is easily remedied. I think the best part are the marriage proposals! My friend and I each had an offer..we joked that our guide would be the marriage broker. My friend was worth 150 camels and I was distraught to find out that I was worth 2 camels and a kidney!! If only the bedouin had realized how knowledgeable about all things to do with Cowboy sports I would like to think I would have brought in 5 camels and a pancreas....sigh....

We left Amsterdam on Christmas day and were welcomed to Jordan with enthusiastic "Merry Christmas" greetings. We had a guide who also acted as our driver- the poor man had the patience of a Saint, he carried our shopping, answered all of our questions as well as insisted we hold out for goats to go with our offer of camels and kidneys! He probably needs a vacation from our vacation, but he helped make the trip to Jordan one of my favorites! Our first day consisted of a trip through Amman, up to an ancient Castle and through the ancient ruins of Jerash and then over to the Citadel to see some of the dead sea scrolls. We then had a typical Jordanian dinner-it was possible to have hommous for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I took full advantage. It was fantastic to actually see blue sky and the sun!! The next morning we concluded our tour of Amman and drove past the Embassy and saw the modern part of Amman. The homes were huge and a world away from the older part of Amman we had seen the day before. Everywhere you looked you saw a picture of the very popular King Abdullah. Spotting new and different pictures of the King became a favorite past time of mine-the poses varied from cheering on the Jordanian soccer team, a plethora of pictures in military uniforms and with his family. I was tempted with a life size rug with the picture of the King's face but decided it would have to wait! We headed out of town, saw world famous mosiacs, Mt. Nebo (where Moses first saw the promised land) and shopped!!! Upon hearing that the Dead Sea products will make you look 20 years younger I pulled out the VISA! If only they could make you look 20 pounds lighter! After filling up the trunk of our car our long suffering guide dropped us off at the Dead Sea for 2 nights.

After starting the day with hummous we moved down to the hotels private rocky beach on the Dead Sea. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip!!! Prior to "floating" in the Dead Sea one must slather on the Dead Sea mud (still hoping to look 20 pounds lighter!) then it is time to wade into the Dead Sea. As they say a picture is worth a 1000 words so I have included a picture-you literally float. The Sea has so much salt that you can't even walk in the water-you are carried away! I have never laughed so hard!!! It was a great time....it is recommended that you only stay in the water for 15 minutes or you will be dehydrated!

More to follow tomorrow (one must slowly wade into resolutions + dinner is ready!)