Blogs from West, Jordan, Middle East

Our friends were leaving at 4.30 in the morning today. We had all been due to fly back on Friday, but that flight had been cancelled, presumably because of the lack of demand, They had got an alternative flight back today, but we were unable to get one until tomorrow. Never mind, it's hardly a hardship having to stay here another day! It was sad not to be coming back together though. We said our goodbyes last night - close friends as we are, we're not going to be up at 4.30 to see them off. In some ways, we were grateful that the Friday flight had been cancelled, otherwise we would have arrived late on Thursday (see ) and then rushed to get in a quick swim in the Dead Sea before getting an early ... read more

Sunshine dawned and this is a hang-day for us at the Dead Sea Marriott. Car is safely stowed, pools ready to be used and the big activity….MUD and SALT. More on that in a bit, as we had to enjoy the breakfast with lots of choices, including fresh fruit, fresh vegis and of course local food that is fresh and tasty. Ken is even venturing into the local fare and not complaining that “this isn’t breakfast food!”. Ok, salad and grilled vegis are not normally on the day-to-day breakfast menu, but you gotta admit it is healthier than most “normal” breakfast foods. Now, it was time to head for the beach and check out the mud and float in the sea. Down the paved path, down the stone stairs and soon we were at the private ... read more

After lunch in Petra, we were driven to the Dead Sea. Once there, we went into our hotel’s private part of the Dead Sea, and it was certainly strange. I knew beforehand that you float in the water because of the high salt content, but it was still surprising to go into the water and shoot up like a buoy. The hotel offered a mud mask to put on and then take off in the Dead Sea; I did mine on my face and legs. We washed off and then went to the pool. After that, we took showers and ate yet another wonderful Lebanese dinner before calling it a night.... read more

12 mars Amman s'éveille doucement alors que je prend place dans la mini-van réservée hier à l'auberge. Nous sommes 5 à partager les coûts dans cette aventure: 1 Américain aux traits asiatiques (qui, Moyen-Orient exige, insistera plutôt sur ses origines chinoises), 1 Irlandais avec un fort accent de patate-chaude-en-bouche, 1 Marseillais backpacker sans-le-sous, 1 Irakien du Ministère en vacances et puis moi-même. C'est Mohammed, un jovial père de famille caramélisé qui tiendra le volant et dirigera l'expédition. Le véhicule s'actionne donc et nous partons tous vers notre première destination, Béthanie-au-delà-du-Jourdain, à la fragile frontière avec la Palestine. On laisse Amman derrière nous alors que les cubes beige d'habitations s'espacent tranquillement dans ce décor asséché où ne pousse plus que de rares fins duvets vert-de-gris chétifs sur cette rugueuse pe... read more

We are exhausted after a very long and tiring day yesterday so we sleep in for a long time. We awake to see the view of the Dead Sea from our balcony in daylight for the first time. It is spectacular, with the morning sun shining on the hills of Palestine and Israel in the distance on the opposite bank. I go for a wander, and watch people swimming from the beach below me. Actually they don’t seem to be swimming at all; floating on their backs just above the surface would be a better description. Anyone who tries to swim face down seems to get involuntarily flipped over within a few strokes. I‘m itching for us to try this. The breakfast buffet includes something called “foul”. Whilst this sounds about as appetising as yesterday’s buffet ... read more