and after an hour of snow today
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
19 December 2008
28 April 2008
occupied and non occupied areas
Liz and I decided to spend our latest holiday here in the region. We've been wanting to visit the Holy Land while we're still here within the Middle East. It was no laid back journey as you cannot just fly to Jerusalem or anywhere in Israel from Dubai, so it left for some fun border crossings.
It went Amman -> Jerusalaem -> Bethlahem -> Jerusalem -> Tel Aviv -> Jerusalem -> Amman.
@ the Western Wall
The aftermath of an Israeli chopper, after it rose over the wall to blast this warehouse in Bethlehem.
A car in Tel Aviv - they all look like this.
A Banksy in Bethlehem
Another:
An IPA from Israel
Holding some bread in front of Jaffa Gate
More photos, click here.
It went Amman -> Jerusalaem -> Bethlahem -> Jerusalem -> Tel Aviv -> Jerusalem -> Amman.
@ the Western Wall
The aftermath of an Israeli chopper, after it rose over the wall to blast this warehouse in Bethlehem.
A car in Tel Aviv - they all look like this.
A Banksy in Bethlehem
Another:
An IPA from Israel
Holding some bread in front of Jaffa Gate
More photos, click here.
14 December 2007
safa park
I went to Safa Park for the first time after dropping Liz off for a weekend work deal. I feel pretty pathetic for not going up until today, as the first thing I did in London after I landed, was to go to Hyde Park in city center.
Well, it was a beautiful day, and the park was super full, but it's large enough to only know that by the parking lots. I took a look around and managed to even take a quick nap underneath a big tree on a small hill next to the lake.
Here's some foto's I took:
Well, it was a beautiful day, and the park was super full, but it's large enough to only know that by the parking lots. I took a look around and managed to even take a quick nap underneath a big tree on a small hill next to the lake.
Here's some foto's I took:
24 November 2007
weekends in the 'bai
went out to the desert with an Egyptian group this weekend and had fun bbq-ing/guitar playing/dune-bashing/and nice-weather-enjoying. i work with only two of the dudes, and they invited me to join them ( and 30 other Egyptians ) to hang in the desert with them. we had a good time!
The next night I went with some roommates to go check out Arrested Development out at one of the golf courses... It was a funky good time. They have a 75-year old dood in the band!
also a few fotos we took after a long night of Wii Boxing
The next night I went with some roommates to go check out Arrested Development out at one of the golf courses... It was a funky good time. They have a 75-year old dood in the band!
also a few fotos we took after a long night of Wii Boxing
16 October 2007
parental visit part 3 : Petra-Jordan
day 5: we left the dead sea well refreshed and ready for some sights. we started by going to the top of a nearby mountain, where the 12th century Karak castle was located. The castle was one of dad's favorite places as he said he felt like he was in a Zelda video game. Here we are on top of the mountain:
After leaving there, we had a longish drive on the King's Highway down to Petra. Unfortunately, we also had to listen to the taxi's beep the whole 3 1/2 hrs as well. That was the last time we used that driver.
When we got to Ma'an, we checked in our place then moved to the 'Little Petra'. We didn't have much day time left, and this Petra was free. It was pretty sick... here's the 'rents checking it out:
We then slid outta town to catch a Petra sunset:
day 6: we woke up and went to catch a full Petra day. We rented a personal guide, and got a buggie ride for mom and dad... do to some confusing negotiations, we ended up with a minimized tour, but we still managed to see 80% of the goods, and all of the major sections of an official 'Wonder of the World'. Here's a little of what we caught on camera:
At the far side of the venue they were offering donkey rides, and since a personal goal is to ride as many new animals as possible, we picked one up each! I couldn't get over how natural pops rode the donkey. It's like he does it everyday.
Petra was pretty amazing, and most photos don't do it justice. When you hear that it is a whole city made in the mountain sides, you can't really imagine how many carvings there really are, or how big they are! It's definitely something you must see in person.
day 7: we were going to do a couple nights in Jerusalem, but I backed out, and played it safe. I knew that we'd be ok, but then again, thought that seeing automatic weapons by the Israeli army was a pretty unnecessary thing for my less-traveled folks. Needless to say, we had a couple extra days to knock about in Amman.
We decided to go down to the big souk (english: market) to get some gifts for people back home. It was a madhouse! Eid was around the corner (ie: next day), so everyone was out to buy gifts for their loved ones. My parents had no idea how foreign markets would be... and the one in City Centre didn't disappoint.
We moved from there exhausted, but not ready to miss the roman theatre next to the market. Here's a foto of Amman taken from the top of the theatre:
day 8: During our last day on holiday, we thought it'd be cool to get a Turkish Bath:
We had NO idea what to expect, and what we got was something that wasn't even close to entering our minds. Mom thought it would be about a big luxurious bath, with lots of oils and soaps, and cleaner than a swiss whistle... followed by a masseuse who gave you a proper face massage and sent you on your way... NOPE!
We first got neked, threw on skimpy towels, and re-congregated as a family in a little steam room. Not a bad start. Then we sat there for no less than 45 minutes. Dad and mom were in an out about 10 times (completely hot and sweaty and feeling confused) before a lady took mom to the next ( and last ) phase. While dad and I pondered on what was going on we waited patiently for our collector person. Dad let me go next and it went like this:
Lady (nasty lady) has you lay on a cement table neked on your chest. She takes a glove with little bumps on it, I think the glove probably played a role in the 'Hostel' torture movie at some point, a glove that has probably been used on no less than 2000 people. It was black-rubbery, and gave the impression of the dirtiest thing in the room. And starts scrubbing your body... hard! Hard enough to leave my-skin-has-been-removed red marks. She does have the decency to splash a bucket of water on you after this scrubbing. She then gets you to lay on your back. She then does the same to all of your front, including a nice bucket splash. Following this you go sit next to a sink on a cold cement bench. She then pours a bucket over your head, scrubs minimal shampoo in a small portion of your head and drops another bucket on you.
That's it... you're done! I highly recommend it! HA!
Following that awkward experience, we headed to Jerash, a city of the Decapolis and considered one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Near East... at least it was something to do...
They have an event where they re-enact roman chariot races and coliseum games, and they do it in this arena:
They also have all sorts of Roman pillars like these:
We walked around in the sun for a while, and stopped to see a weird bunch of locals playing music... well, I reckon the only weird part was the bagpipe?!
Our final stop of the day before heading to the airport was stopping again in the city center in Amman at the Citadel. The heritage site is the home of more ancient ruins, and also a great view of all angles of the city. Including the largest free standing flag in the world. You can see my parents getting one last look in here:
As a conclusion: I'd highly recommend this country, but would probably limit it to 5 days in Jordan, and trying to go to Syria or Lebanon or Jerusalem inside the same trip.
I miss my folks already, and am already looking forward to my return to the states for Christmas. If you wanted to see all the photos go here.
After leaving there, we had a longish drive on the King's Highway down to Petra. Unfortunately, we also had to listen to the taxi's beep the whole 3 1/2 hrs as well. That was the last time we used that driver.
When we got to Ma'an, we checked in our place then moved to the 'Little Petra'. We didn't have much day time left, and this Petra was free. It was pretty sick... here's the 'rents checking it out:
We then slid outta town to catch a Petra sunset:
day 6: we woke up and went to catch a full Petra day. We rented a personal guide, and got a buggie ride for mom and dad... do to some confusing negotiations, we ended up with a minimized tour, but we still managed to see 80% of the goods, and all of the major sections of an official 'Wonder of the World'. Here's a little of what we caught on camera:
At the far side of the venue they were offering donkey rides, and since a personal goal is to ride as many new animals as possible, we picked one up each! I couldn't get over how natural pops rode the donkey. It's like he does it everyday.
Petra was pretty amazing, and most photos don't do it justice. When you hear that it is a whole city made in the mountain sides, you can't really imagine how many carvings there really are, or how big they are! It's definitely something you must see in person.
day 7: we were going to do a couple nights in Jerusalem, but I backed out, and played it safe. I knew that we'd be ok, but then again, thought that seeing automatic weapons by the Israeli army was a pretty unnecessary thing for my less-traveled folks. Needless to say, we had a couple extra days to knock about in Amman.
We decided to go down to the big souk (english: market) to get some gifts for people back home. It was a madhouse! Eid was around the corner (ie: next day), so everyone was out to buy gifts for their loved ones. My parents had no idea how foreign markets would be... and the one in City Centre didn't disappoint.
We moved from there exhausted, but not ready to miss the roman theatre next to the market. Here's a foto of Amman taken from the top of the theatre:
day 8: During our last day on holiday, we thought it'd be cool to get a Turkish Bath:
We had NO idea what to expect, and what we got was something that wasn't even close to entering our minds. Mom thought it would be about a big luxurious bath, with lots of oils and soaps, and cleaner than a swiss whistle... followed by a masseuse who gave you a proper face massage and sent you on your way... NOPE!
We first got neked, threw on skimpy towels, and re-congregated as a family in a little steam room. Not a bad start. Then we sat there for no less than 45 minutes. Dad and mom were in an out about 10 times (completely hot and sweaty and feeling confused) before a lady took mom to the next ( and last ) phase. While dad and I pondered on what was going on we waited patiently for our collector person. Dad let me go next and it went like this:
Lady (nasty lady) has you lay on a cement table neked on your chest. She takes a glove with little bumps on it, I think the glove probably played a role in the 'Hostel' torture movie at some point, a glove that has probably been used on no less than 2000 people. It was black-rubbery, and gave the impression of the dirtiest thing in the room. And starts scrubbing your body... hard! Hard enough to leave my-skin-has-been-removed red marks. She does have the decency to splash a bucket of water on you after this scrubbing. She then gets you to lay on your back. She then does the same to all of your front, including a nice bucket splash. Following this you go sit next to a sink on a cold cement bench. She then pours a bucket over your head, scrubs minimal shampoo in a small portion of your head and drops another bucket on you.
That's it... you're done! I highly recommend it! HA!
Following that awkward experience, we headed to Jerash, a city of the Decapolis and considered one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Near East... at least it was something to do...
They have an event where they re-enact roman chariot races and coliseum games, and they do it in this arena:
They also have all sorts of Roman pillars like these:
We walked around in the sun for a while, and stopped to see a weird bunch of locals playing music... well, I reckon the only weird part was the bagpipe?!
Our final stop of the day before heading to the airport was stopping again in the city center in Amman at the Citadel. The heritage site is the home of more ancient ruins, and also a great view of all angles of the city. Including the largest free standing flag in the world. You can see my parents getting one last look in here:
As a conclusion: I'd highly recommend this country, but would probably limit it to 5 days in Jordan, and trying to go to Syria or Lebanon or Jerusalem inside the same trip.
I miss my folks already, and am already looking forward to my return to the states for Christmas. If you wanted to see all the photos go here.
15 October 2007
parental visit part 2: Dead Sea-Jordan
day 1: we arrived at night, had a quick wander around 'Jebal Amman', which means Amman Mountain, in Amman the capital city... We sorta just walked around the neighborhood of our 3-star accommodation, Hisham Hotel. Turns out, it is one of the nicer parts of town. I guess many of the embassies are located here, as well as some nicer 5-star places. Here's a photo of a nice garage door.
and here's one of another door down the street.
day 2: we got up and left in the morning by taxi to the Dead Sea. We made a stop in a couple smaller tourist places. We stopped on Mt. Nebo which has a good view over Israel and the Dead sea and others... here's a little map thing they have there:
and here's me and my ma:
We then stopped at the Jordan River, the location of Jesus' Baptism. We had about 10 checkpoints to get there. I guess you could almost call it a 'Green Zone'. It was pretty hot out there on the trail to the river, and it felt good to baptise my toes:
Also got a photo of the closest I've been to Israel... see the flag across the river below.
After a long morning of being on the road, we finally made it to the Dead sea in mid-afternoon. We managed to get our first dip into the lowest place on earth - 400m below sea level, and we loved it! Mom and I were never any good at swimming, so we felt comfortable in the water for the first time. Dad (the good swimmer) on the other hand hated it! He just kept rolling in non-balanced circles! He liked the pool much more :)
The trick to getting in the water is to sit down immediately after stepping your feet in the water. The rocks are to hard to step on anyway.
Once you set that foot in, turn and sit. From there you just push off backwards and off you float! On the surface it is extremely oily, and once you touch your arms and legs when you are in, you feel as slippery as a butcher's prick!
I guess the mud along with the salt water is supposed to have some sort of healing power, but for me it was just annoying and sticky. For myself, it only lasted about 4 minutes.
day 3: We checked into the 5-star resort Mรถvenpick hotel that day, and it was pretty amazing... definitely one of the top 3 hotels I've ever stayed at. It was sort of an oriental style setting, and we had some pretty cool amenities. Here's a photo at me at the pool.
We wasted 3 days in the sun and sand getting spa treatments, sheesha, midnight camel rides, and booze! Here's mom with a great exhale:
And this is the camel she rode in the middle of the night:
I'll come back with another post of the rest of the holiday, but for now you can view lotsa more Jordan photos here.
and here's one of another door down the street.
day 2: we got up and left in the morning by taxi to the Dead Sea. We made a stop in a couple smaller tourist places. We stopped on Mt. Nebo which has a good view over Israel and the Dead sea and others... here's a little map thing they have there:
and here's me and my ma:
We then stopped at the Jordan River, the location of Jesus' Baptism. We had about 10 checkpoints to get there. I guess you could almost call it a 'Green Zone'. It was pretty hot out there on the trail to the river, and it felt good to baptise my toes:
Also got a photo of the closest I've been to Israel... see the flag across the river below.
After a long morning of being on the road, we finally made it to the Dead sea in mid-afternoon. We managed to get our first dip into the lowest place on earth - 400m below sea level, and we loved it! Mom and I were never any good at swimming, so we felt comfortable in the water for the first time. Dad (the good swimmer) on the other hand hated it! He just kept rolling in non-balanced circles! He liked the pool much more :)
The trick to getting in the water is to sit down immediately after stepping your feet in the water. The rocks are to hard to step on anyway.
Once you set that foot in, turn and sit. From there you just push off backwards and off you float! On the surface it is extremely oily, and once you touch your arms and legs when you are in, you feel as slippery as a butcher's prick!
I guess the mud along with the salt water is supposed to have some sort of healing power, but for me it was just annoying and sticky. For myself, it only lasted about 4 minutes.
day 3: We checked into the 5-star resort Mรถvenpick hotel that day, and it was pretty amazing... definitely one of the top 3 hotels I've ever stayed at. It was sort of an oriental style setting, and we had some pretty cool amenities. Here's a photo at me at the pool.
We wasted 3 days in the sun and sand getting spa treatments, sheesha, midnight camel rides, and booze! Here's mom with a great exhale:
And this is the camel she rode in the middle of the night:
I'll come back with another post of the rest of the holiday, but for now you can view lotsa more Jordan photos here.
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