Jordan Jordan is very much on my to-do list, and you've very much peaked my interest in it with this blog. It looks like you had an amazing time, in such a short space of time. Your Tour Guide really did pack it all in! Very poignant and moving final words Andrea, beautifully written.
Add it to the list Alex! I now want to add Albania to mine. lol My list continues to get longer, not shorter! Jordan was so very worthwhile, I know how much you love to explore your surroundings and travel by overland. Me too. It was a really special place and full of amazing history.
Life and Death Like you, the National Geographic was responsible for inspiring a young me; and also like you, for countless reasons, Egypt has been an elusive destination. But you finally made it, how exciting! But I'm so so so sorry your cousin wasn't able to be there with you, and it's truly amazing your aunt was able to make the trip and be so stoic about what she witnessed. I can't believe the high temperatures that late in the year, that's crazy hot! Which company did you travel with? Given the composition of the group, I guessed the purple Canadian one rather than the red Australian one :)
If the Nat Geo only knew! Sadly, my Auntie passed away upon her return from Egypt. I think she died of a broken heart. So it was a sad Xmas for my family. However I am sooooo thankful she got to see Egypt at age 88, and enjoy it so immensely. She gave me a Xmas present a book called Empress of the Nile, it has been a fascinating read. Oh and p.s. The group was a red one!! Go figure. Now comes the hard part, deciding where to go next. Thanks to your wonderful travels, I have to keep adding to my list! Indo is definitely on my radar now. And maybe someday Hobart. Or maybe running into you both on a red trip! You never know!
The rock bridge Haven't you just got to love Jordan - Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Dead Sea. Stunning, but also very sad considering what's going on not to far away. We stood on that rock bridge in Wadi Rum as our guide took our photos - I think he's just waiting for the day when he takes the iconic photo of people standing on it when it does actually collapse....
Wonderful Jordan I can't say enough about Jordan, what a wonderful country and it was so full of amazing sites and history. I can't wait to go back again. It was so sad to be there during such turmoil in the region and I had such sympathy for both sides of this conflict, as they are just regular people trying to live their lives. War is awful.
Amazing Egypt I'm so sorry to hear your sad news Andrea. How beautiful to have made the trip still, in your cousin's memory. Egypt is one of those places we often dream of, though not so many visit. When you do, you understand how special it is. Incredible country. I'm glad you were able to go in the end. I read about the Israeli tourists when it happened, and shocked to hear your Auntie was there. I admire her way of dealing with it, the keep calm and carry on generation I imagine. Well done also for heading out despite the news, and it is often interesting to find out that life still carries on in many places as normal despite what we hear in the news.
Amazing Egypt! Ah Thank you Alex. I can't say enough about Egypt, it was such a fantastic experience and I was so glad I could finally go. Sadly my Auntie suddenly passed away 2 months after we returned, but I know she was very pleased she went, despite the situation in Alexandria. That keep calm and carry on attitude was definitely her British genes!
Cats of the World OK. Hope this meets with your approval. Not a calendar but I am opening a "Cats of the World" thread in the Photography Forum that your pic will be the opening photo. Open for Wild and Domestic cats. Check it out. Hope many TBers contribute.
Turkish Delights We have had Turkey at the top of our list for years but others have distracted us which we did not regret. Your blog excites as you obviously are. Love this pic but the crowds!!!
Ah yea, most of my list comes from travelers like you and Denise dancing all over this world. Glad I could spark your interest in turkey. You’ll love it!
Loved the food in Jordan Thank you Andrea. I am now in Cleveland, Ohio if you can believe that. I can't, yet here I am. The food in Jordan was amazing. We took a cooking class in Petra, and I still use some of the recipes and ideas at work. Enjoy your travels.
Hi from Mexico I would have loved to do a cooking class in Jordan, but alas our tour had restraints. Can always go back one day right? I'm loving retirement, I'm here on the Baja visiting the parents over Xmas. Where are you off to next? I still have a couple more blogs to complete on my latest travels. Stay tuned!
Plan B must have stood for Brilliant Wow Andrea, what a time to be traveling in the Middle East. I admire you for going to Plan B and making a trip that will surely last a longtime in your memories. It is good to see you on the road.
Brilliant! Hi! How are you Brendan! Hope you are well. Where are you in this world? I was just reviewing blogs, and your visit with MJ&D to Jordan was next up! Now that I've experienced the foods of Jordan, I can see what all the fuss was about.
NBD..... flexibility is the key to travel Plan B worked out well. Always good to pivot as needed. We loved our time in Jordan. It is a unique and lovely country. The people of Jordan are lovely and always described themselves as quiet people with noisy neighbors. So true. Thanks for being nice to the boomer (we need help from time to time. LOL) Thanks for taking us along on this marvelous trip and I'm glad you enjoyed the group.
Isn't that the truth Thank you for leading the way with your blogs of Jordan, which of course sparked my interest. I really loved it and can't wait until I can return some day to enjoy more of the Middle East. Our beloved boomer was 80 and had more energy and enthusiasm than all of use put together, it was a honour to travel with him. What a legend!
I need to allow more time than I thought We have been thinking about visiting Jordan some day. Now that I read your blog I realise that there is plenty more than Petra worth seeing. Good to know that. We will make sure we have plenty more time to spend exploring the country than I first thought we needed. /Ake
On Jordan time Yes, I do believe you must allow yourselves lots of time to explore Jordan, I cannot say enough about that lovely country! I feel I could return and see so much more. I loved the camping and hiking and exploring. I know that would be right up your alley.
what a treat to find a post from your world in my in-box. Thank you for taking me to a far-away place on this cold Colorado day. I so love your writing and appreciate the time and effort you make to share your experiences with us out here shivering at our desks. :)
Well, hello stranger! Hi to you! I hope you and your family have been well Alisa! I'm now in Mexico and away from the cold of Canada for as long as I can be. We are predicted to get a polar vortex this week. This was my first experience with the Middle East, and not my last. I loved the Jordanian people and their history. Food and culture. I can only hope I can get back someday soon, Inshallah. Stay tuned, as I headed for Turkey. Thanks for your kind comments as usual. Its a hoot doing a blog about my experiences.
Jordan Sylvia and I have been to Jordan twice. We were at Petra a couple of days after 9/11 and it was totally deserted.. Glad you enjoyed it. We were going to go on to Israel but the borders were closed so we took a ferry from Aqaba to Egypt instead.
How lucky for you to have Petra to yourselves! It sounds like you had to pivot your plans as well. That would have been great to do a ferry from Aqaba to Egypt. There are so many options for seeing the Middle East, how be it restricted for right now. Did you ever make it to Israel?
This Canadian girl's passion for travel comes from two very adventurous parents. My brother and I spent most of our youth traveling all over North America in the family’s campervan, airplane, and boat - going as far west as the Hawaiian islands, as far north as Tuktoyaktuk, and as far south as Mexico doing lots of adventurous stuff...canoeing, surfing, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, exploring, jellyfish poking...it was the best childhood ever! That same adventurous spirit fueled my travel passions for over 30 years. I’ve been all over the shop.
Now that I'm newly retired, I will s... full info
Stephen Nesmith
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Such a cute photo! Love it.
This is very interesting! Will have this in my bucket list for sure