Well it's that time of year when one pigs out and gets merrily pissed. I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year to all my family, friends, workmates, fellow travellers and bloggers. It kind of felt appropriate that I spent the lead-up to the holiday season in the Holy Land. I loved walking around the different quarters (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Armenian) in the Old City of Jerusalem. Most of the religious activity centres around the Temple Mount area where the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock are located. Also took a trip into Bethlehem, [View Full Entry]

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Next stop was Nazareth, the place where the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to inform her that she was to be the mother of the son of God, and where Jesus spent most of his growing years. The Old City (Natzeret Ha-Atika) is really cool, with all the sights within easy walking distance. Also took a side trip to Tel Megiddo (aka Armageddon), the supposed site of the last great battle of the world, but there's not much to see there. Another day was spent visiting the Bahai Shrine and Gardens in Haifa (stunningly beautiful landscaped gardens down the [View Full Entry]

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I had originally planned to visit Israel in '94, but Hebron happened and my plans were scuttled by the British Embassy cancelling all tourist travel to the area. Then again I don't think there is ever a really good time to visit Israel. So here I am, better late than never, to see what this country is all about beyond the CNN viewpoint. The immigration lady at Tel Aviv airport was really helpful and agreed not to stamp my passport when I asked her. However I had been forewarned about the expected security interrogation after I cleared immigration. The usual questions [View Full Entry]

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You wouldn't believe it but the rest of my time in Egypt has been spent visiting ever more temples and tombs. Go figure. First up was Kom Ombo Temple, followed by Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple and Queen Hatshepsut's Temple. Finally went by donkey to the Valley of the Kings. My thighs were cactus the next day, but it's better than any butt-blaster. Visited the magnificent tombs of Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, and Tuthmosis III. You can't take any pikkies inside. But I heard some Yankee dude bragging that he could take as many as he liked after he had bribed the [View Full Entry]

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This blog is dedicated to Terence and Natalie who got married last Sunday 26th November. Congrats guys!!! Took a short trip to Alexandria with some of the Drago guys. Laid back place - very relaxing. It was nice to stroll along the Mediterranean Sea with the locals and not a tourist in sight. Then it was back to Cairo where I said "au revoir" to the Drago crew (farewell drinks on the Nile Hilton terrace - very swanky) and moved onto my next adventure with Explore. The new group consists of 11 Brits, and me as the token Aussie. Bit of [View Full Entry]

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That Moses dude sure got around. Not only did he go up Mount Nebo and see the Promised Land, he also parted the Red Sea, and also got the 10 Commandments at the top of Mount Sinai. 19 to 21 Nov - Took the ferry from Aqaba, Jordan to Nuweiba, Sinai. Final destination was the Red Sea resort of Dahab accompanied by an armed police escort. Had a very relaxing time walking around the town, eating fabulous seafood, and snorkelling at the Blue Hole which is a famous diving spot. However it's only for expert divers. There are lots of memorials [View Full Entry]

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Here I am in Petra finally - the site of Indiana Jones fame. It all starts with an 800m ride on an old, grumpy and smelly nag to the entrance of the Siq (canyon). Then it's a leisurely stroll down the 1.2km Siq until you arrive at the most well known wonder of wonders - the Treasury. But it doesn't stop there. Further along there are countless edifices and tombs carved into the rockface. The Bedouin people used to live in the caves until they were moved out to a nearby town in recent years. I'll let the pikkies speak for [View Full Entry]

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14 Nov - Went to visit the Roman ampitheatre (yet another one!) in Bosra, Syria before heading onwards to Jordan. First border crossing where the men and women were processed in separate areas. Generally quite easy to get our group visas and entry stamps. But the major hassle tends to be the processing of the truck's paperwork, which is usually fairly slow and tedious. This crossing was made a little easier with a donation of 6 boxes of ciggies. Bush-camped that night in the Jerash National Park (fabulous). 15 Nov - Visited the Roman ruins in Jerash the next day. Once [View Full Entry]

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Travelled cross-country to Palmyra which used to be an important trade destination being located at the crossroads of the Silk Route (east-west) and the Incense & Spices route (north-south) and having the most important water source (oasis). Those Romans sure got around. Saw the Bel Temple and the ruins of the Old Walled City. Haven't put too many ruin photos on the blog this time. Not that they weren't magnificent, but feeling a bit "ruined" out at the moment. Bush-camp that night was in the Valley of the Tombs, which was silent and a little eerie. Next stop was Crac des [View Full Entry]

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HELLO SYRIA! Total chaos getting out of Turkey, but the border crossing into Syria went really smoothly with our guide Ahmed on the case. The guards were really friendly and offered us things to eat as we waited for the paperwork to be processed. Being a dry country liquor-wise, we all stocked up at the local duty free shop before heading into Aleppo. Ahmed took us on a city tour in the morning. It was a bit quick, and I could have spent days wandering around the Aleppo souq, but we had to hit the road. The next 2 nights were [View Full Entry]

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