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Published: November 4th 2011
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OUCH!
Mozzies win. Before the winter of 2010 set in, I departed on my first holiday outside of Europe. To Egypt, Taba in particular, was the location of my stay. During this period, which was approximately 10 days, I adventured into Cairo and across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan.
A personal record for flight duration was achieved and came in at 5 & 1/2 hours. Don't act like you're not impressed. We touched down during the evening in an area that was baron and desolate. The coach journey to Taba from the airport streamed through rocky landscape that reminded me of an early still scene in "There Will Be Blood". We passed through checkpoints and abandoned construction sites. My research prior to departure highlighted that our hotel (Hilton) was subject to a terrorist attack a few years back. Taba was a popular holiday destination for Israelis. However, growing terrorist threats pretty much killed off tourism in that part of Egypt until the government pumped some money to rejuvenate the area and its safety. These factors all combined to provide a cheap holiday.
The first night was spent drinking the rather limited array of cocktails available on the all inclusive menu. Everything
The Pyramids
A city backdropped by pyramids. seemed to tick the box labeled paradise. Comfy seats upon a beautifully lit jetty, the relaxing sound of the sea and rather tasty cocktails. After the first night though, this area of paradise was renamed 'Mosquito Plaza' because in the morning my travel partner's legs were decorated in bites. Rather amusing in hindsight. Didn't kick the holiday off on a good note though.
Anyway, a few days were spent on the beach of the resort and after hiring a snorkel kit, there was amazing coral just hidden a couple of meters from the shore. Hours could be spent looking at the tropical fish, which also included the initial fright when they swim up to you.
Then came the first expedition, which was to marvel at the delights of Cairo. A five hour trip along dirt tracks with the air conditioning on max wasn't really enjoyed, but the journey provided a pleasant look at Egypt's Sinai region and the Suez Canal Tunnel. Highlights or rather lowlights included seeing a road accident and having to listen to two girls from Essex discuss how ignorant they are, without actually discussing it directly.
Our arrival in Cairo brought relieve and a
Hawk off
Funning with a hawker. simmering of excitement as the hustle and bustle, mixed with the dry heat, enslaved us. First stop was at the Egyptian Museum where we were introduced to our guide for the day and we began mingling with our accompanies.
The museum was crazy and more like a market. I felt that there were locals there that use the museum for social gatherings. Not a bad hangout I suppose. Did feel slightly bad that the first thing we were shown, The Rosetta Stone, was actually a replica as the original is housed back in the British Museum. How wonderful our Empire was.
After the museum we crashed a riot between police and local Christians. We were just behind the Police battle lines, in the safety of our coach when hi-tec missiles, in the form of crushed up masonry bricks, were launched down from our position on a highway overpass into the general baiting public. It was quite horrifying to see the Police crushing bricks on the ground to make them into more manageable throwing objects. Later on that day I found out from talking to our guide and surfing the internet, that the riot/protest, the line between the two
Lunch in Jordan
The view across the mountain range housing Petra. are very blurred these days, was due to the government demolishing a Coptic Church that was constructed without planning permission. I judge not.
One thing I found of most interest was the sprawl and amount of RC framed buildings that had reinforcement left protruding from the tops of buildings. Suggesting that vertical development of these properties was plausible. Unfortunately these buildings had no designated window openings, just bricks smashed out below floor slabs to let light in. I dread to imagine what the rooms were like inside. It would be interesting to see how many building failures occur and why.
We moved on to a Papyrus factory, which explained the process of making papyrus paper and the meanings of various artwork that was on display. My personal favorite was the 'Weighing of the Heart'. We purchased a painting on papyrus paper, it was a painting of the 'Tree of Life', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_life, and we inscribed it with Live, Love, Laugh. I think N-dubz used it for an album name. You can't buy class.
Lunch was consumed and digested and we were en-route to the Great Pyramids, which are basically at the edge of the city, rather bizarrely. We
Amble Me
Ambling into Petra. bought a ticket to go inside the Great Pyramid. Inside the complex we had fun with Hawkers. Slightly naive, but I didn't give my ticket away to a devious stranger, as some may have. We did have to leave our camera at the entrance to the pyramid because you're forbidden to use flash photography inside the tomb. I didn't hold out much hope of the camera remaining there. But it did, which means I'm too cynical in my young age.
The journey to the main tomb is exciting, narrow and sweaty. Definitely not for the fainthearted.
Later we saw the Sphinx, spoke to the guide regarding social problems between Islam and Christianity in Cairo and finally laughed at the two Essex girls running away from a barrage of Hawkers. A good trip that was capped off with a five hour journey. We traveled at dusk, which I always enjoy as it seems to make me reflect on the day.
A few days were spent at the hotel and we had some lovely meals at the Egyptian and Italian restaurants. The bread was sublime.
Then we embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Petra, which is across the Gulf
Narrow Minded Social Club
Twist follow turn unveiling gems. of Aqaba in Jordan.
We hopped across the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry and my first impressions were good ones. As we traveled to Petra we drove through Aqaba and the infrastructure of Jordan was modern and clean. Throughout our trip there were no Hawkers only Bedouin in suits.
We had lunch overlooking the mountain range, which housed Petra, the city of the Nabataeans and it was truly breath taking. The air had crisp freshness to it. I think the excitement of going to Petra also added an air of mystic to our lunch stop. You couldn't see Petra from the hotel, but you kinda sensed that something magical was within the mountains.
We spent approximately three hours in Petra and the walk into the site wets your appetite. You see an abundance of shrines, temples and homes. Temples are by far more ornate and decorative than where the Nabataeans lived. Their homes were merely hollow caves in the bedrock. The walk continues until you come to a narrow passage in the rock. You squeeze through, depending on the amount of tourists, and are greeted by the overwhelming Treasury. Most people know The Treasury for its use
What a lad
Our wonderful guide at his finest. in the Indiana Jones film where he selects the Chalice that is the Holy Grail. It is, however, a world heritage site and when you eventually pass the Treasury there is just more and more wonderful sites to be in awe of. I simply recommend that everyone should go and see Petra. Its astonishing. I would love to go back and spend a week climbing and exploring. Unfortunately we only had three hours to spend. Our guide was amazing and he pretty much gave us a lecture on the history of the Middle East. I could happily relive that day over and over again.
On our journey home we stopped on a hill side to capture the sun setting. It capped the day off brilliantly.
The rest of the holiday was spent relaxing on the beach, tough life, but the holiday gave me some amazing memories. I would love to go back to Petra, but first I have some more places to tick off.
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