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Published: September 5th 2008
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29 Aug - our last day of the trip proves extremely diverse and one of the most memorable... we have a 4 hour drive from Aqaba to the Dead Sea - which is 400m below sea level, the lowest point on earth. En route we stop to see a stone column, which is supposedly where Lot's wife turned to a pillar of salt, according to the Bible story. We are driving only km's away from the Israel border and drive through numerous checkpoints.
We stop for a few hours at a custom-made resort. It really is the strangest feeling to float in the Dead Sea. It's also v sore when the salt gets into wounds you didn't realise you had and unnerving to be in such warm water - not like Portobello beach at all!!!! We chill out beside the sea, wash off the salt then have a dip in the pool.
Continuing North, we stop to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, another site steeped in biblical history. Jesus Christ was baptized here by John the Baptist. There are two sites of note - the believed site of the baptism and then, due to the River Jordan shrinking in size over time, the pilgrimage site. I kneeled down, beside the River of Jordan and splashed water on my head. A moving moment that made me think about my christening in Viewpark Church. Who would have thought that 33.5 years later I would be in the Holy Land...
We board the bus for the final time and head to Amman. One final retail therapy opportunity so I buy some Dead Dea Salt Body Lotion and a chunky Jordanian style necklace. We have dinner in the Toledo Hotel and say our final farewells to those going on the group flight.
With Ramadam approaching, the hotel only has an extremely limited supply of alcohol left, which we promptly finish. So Ali, Diana and I head out to find the infamous Rover's Return Pub. However, Nafis our taxi driver has other thoughts. Despite repeatedly asking for the pub (he claims it's shut because it's Friday - the sabbath in Muslim countries) he takes us to his friend's club, the Malmo, which he supposedly opens, just for us!!!! Nafis stays with us, has a few beers (!), we listen to some live music and then he drives us back without charging us, as we paid for his beers. Many emotions of apprehension, fear and lack of bearings over the course of the evening, but ultimately a hilarious end to the trip and proves you must have faith in people.
I say a sad farewell to Ali at 0630 the next morning.
What a great trip and excellent start to my Grand Adventure. My Top 3 highlights were:
1. The scenery of Wadi Rum and the camel trek 😊
2. Cappadocia scenrey and vibe
3. Venice experience - great to finally see the canals and gondolas.
30 Aug - now there's just Nancy, George & Loz and Sue and Marg left. I have a lazy day, first chance to catch up on emails since I left, and phone mum and dad. We all meet at Le Royal, a 5 star hotel (same as in Luxembourg) mid afternoon. We explore the shops, have various Amstels in the Bierhalle then have dinner in the Atrium. A harpist plays in the background while we have a carry on! Stay up until midnight to say our farewells to Nancy.
31 Aug - say farewell to George & Loz after a leisurely breakfast. Only Sue & Marg left now! We head out mid-morning to explore Amman and visit the Roman Theatre. This was built around 1500AD and seated around 6000, cut into the northern side of a hill. The JD1 entrance fee also inludes entry into the Folklore Museum and Museum of Popular Traditions - great value! Afterwards, while wandering round the park thinking we'll head for a cup of tea, we meet a man with sprigs of mint round his neck carrying a kettle - great cup of mint team in v bizarre circumstances.
We head to downtown Amman for lunch, great tabulleh - mint, parsley, lemon juice and tomato, v light and refreshing in the heat. We then wander down Rainbow Street (nothing to see) and head to the Intercontinental Hotel. Fab shops then we have a cocktail overlooking the pool. Great Mexican dinner washed down with Moet (thanks Marg!). What a life....and hear was me thinking my champagne lifestyle would stop when I left Edinburgh 😊
Say my farewells to Sue and Marg that night as they leave at 0530 the next morning.
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