My OperaEgypt, Israel and Jordan 7th - 15th June 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010 6:40:21 PM
We woke a little later then a normal for an overseas trip and made sure all things were packed in the bag. Jo and I made our way to Earlsfield station, through Clapham junction and off to Gatwick. All on time, we started to breath a little easier and the excitement started when we realised we were finally on holiday. After checking in and going through the usual processes – through the scanners etc, we grabbed a sandwich from Eat, and some last minute shopping for caps etc. We climbed on the plane.
We landed in Egypt – Taba airport at 17h30 and worked our way though the tiny airport. We climbed on one of 6 coaches and were driven down the windy roads to Taba heights about 40 minutes away from the airport. There was a lot of security checks going on and we realised we were in a place which is on the cusp of previous troubles. We arrived at our awesome hotel and checked in. Our room was large and comfortable with a great sea view from the balcony.
On the first full day – Wednesday, we had in induction meeting and were told by our hosts – Thompson travel – about possible adventures we could undertake during our stay. We booked and paid for a trip to Israel (visiting Jerusalem, and a swim in the dead sea) and Jordan (a trek through Petra). After this we settled at the pool and swam and generally chilled out.
On Thursday. We woke at 2.30 am and jumped on the coach and drove to the Egypt – Israel border. It took about 1 hour to get through – even at 4am. We found the officials to be very tough, especially Egypt’s, an all male cast with death stares to stop anyone in their tracks. Moneys were paid, in what felt like back hand deals until we passed into Israel. Here we were met by a female cast with few males manning the post. The differences between the countries were almost instantly seen. Israel was clean, and orderly. And very much more expensive. Here we met our tour guide Dan Frankenstein, a funny character who would take us on our epic tour. He told us stories about Bedouin people and had many religious stories while we drove through Eilat, past Jericho on our way to Jerusalem. On route we stopped at a little petrol station and had a coffee which is possibly the best Jo and I have ever had.
We arrived in Jerusalem at about 11am. Here we started on the hill surrounding the old city and walked down the ‘palm Sunday’ walk – which is said to be the path Jesus to when entering Jerusalem on a donkey. We went into the Garden of Gethsemane, - the place they made lamp oil from all of the olives and entered the church and then bussed to mt Zion. Here we saw the tomb of King David and the place where Jesus had the last supper. We then went to the old city to the West wall – the Wailing Wall and said a prayer and left our wishes on a note, in the cracks in the wall. We then went through the 4 quadrants of the old city – The Armenian, Jewish, Muslim and Christian quads. We also stopped to have lunch in an old converted horse stable. We ate a very expensive meal of chicken. Its wasn’t that good. After which We followed Jesus’ path when carrying the cross and ended in the church where he ascended. The churches were beautiful. We ended with the place where Jesus’ body was cleaned and finally the final burial place. It was a moving but tiring experience. After this we bussed back to the Dead Sea and had a swim. This was a random experience, as... as soon as you lift your feet off the salt crust your feet instantly move out of the water. This because the water contains 44% minerals. A sticky and slimy experience with random open areas on the body burning, but a wonderful memory.
We bussed all the way back to Egypt and got back to the hotel at 9h30 in the evening.
Friday we spent at the hotel and I suffered a little heat stroke. Also the first signs of Pharaohs revenge!
Saturday was another early start, but only 5h30, not as bad as the Israel early start. We headed to the marina and ferried our ways to Aquaba, Jordan’s city by the sea. We met our tour guide. We drove up through the mountains and 2 hours later we were in a canyon like area with small, rough looking buildings in Petra. Our guide took us to the tourism spot and we walked between the high mountains deeper into the lost city. Here we saw the famous treasury of Petra, the stone carved temple in the Raiders of the last ark Indiana Jones film. The 2-3 thousand year old city was a master piece as well as one of the 7 wonders of the world. Amazing to see what detailed people did in those days, literally cutting their homes into the mountains. The water works, gullies carved into the stone to bring water to the people was a huge engineering feat, even in today’s terms, and the clever kings made sure they would not have problems with a potential siege, by digging secret channels into the mountains. A recommended visit!
After an 8 kilo hike in 40 degree heat we went to the Marriot hotel for lunch. Very much the same food we had at the Sofitel – our hotel in Egypt, and we started getting very bored of the food. After lunch we drove 200km back to Aquaba and ferried (in the calmest seas I’ve ever seen back to Taba.). What a lovely day out!
The rest of the time we spent snorkelling and lounging at the pool. Pharaoh by now had raised the bar and both Jo and I had taken ill. But we still managed to enjoy our fully inclusive treats like ice creams and free drinks.
A specially note on the snorkelling:
It was like swimming in a swimming pool, but with the largest variety of fish I’ve ever seen. The vis was exceptional, even through the coral spawning at a super high and low tide. We saw small rays – beige in colour with glowing indigo spots, a leopard like moray eel, puffer fish. And the most beautifully coloured Parrot fish. One very large one which had run into a predator of some type and still had gaping wounds. This magical under water world was the most colourful snorkelling trip I’ve ever done! I’m not sure ill ever snorkel anywhere like it again. 10/10!
On Tuesday at 14h15, we waited at reception and boarded our final bus back the airport. Here we waited in a long queue – everyone one of the 6 busses was going back to the UK, and we checked our baggage in. We sat for 2 hours in a waiting hall and finally boarded our plane back to Gatwick north terminal. After 2 hours we finally walked through the front door and were back at home. It all happened so quickly, but it was an amazing trip!
Next Scotland, for Dave stag and then off to Lucy and Rupert’s wedding in Czech. Watch this space for more updates.
We landed in Egypt – Taba airport at 17h30 and worked our way though the tiny airport. We climbed on one of 6 coaches and were driven down the windy roads to Taba heights about 40 minutes away from the airport. There was a lot of security checks going on and we realised we were in a place which is on the cusp of previous troubles. We arrived at our awesome hotel and checked in. Our room was large and comfortable with a great sea view from the balcony.
On the first full day – Wednesday, we had in induction meeting and were told by our hosts – Thompson travel – about possible adventures we could undertake during our stay. We booked and paid for a trip to Israel (visiting Jerusalem, and a swim in the dead sea) and Jordan (a trek through Petra). After this we settled at the pool and swam and generally chilled out.
On Thursday. We woke at 2.30 am and jumped on the coach and drove to the Egypt – Israel border. It took about 1 hour to get through – even at 4am. We found the officials to be very tough, especially Egypt’s, an all male cast with death stares to stop anyone in their tracks. Moneys were paid, in what felt like back hand deals until we passed into Israel. Here we were met by a female cast with few males manning the post. The differences between the countries were almost instantly seen. Israel was clean, and orderly. And very much more expensive. Here we met our tour guide Dan Frankenstein, a funny character who would take us on our epic tour. He told us stories about Bedouin people and had many religious stories while we drove through Eilat, past Jericho on our way to Jerusalem. On route we stopped at a little petrol station and had a coffee which is possibly the best Jo and I have ever had.
We arrived in Jerusalem at about 11am. Here we started on the hill surrounding the old city and walked down the ‘palm Sunday’ walk – which is said to be the path Jesus to when entering Jerusalem on a donkey. We went into the Garden of Gethsemane, - the place they made lamp oil from all of the olives and entered the church and then bussed to mt Zion. Here we saw the tomb of King David and the place where Jesus had the last supper. We then went to the old city to the West wall – the Wailing Wall and said a prayer and left our wishes on a note, in the cracks in the wall. We then went through the 4 quadrants of the old city – The Armenian, Jewish, Muslim and Christian quads. We also stopped to have lunch in an old converted horse stable. We ate a very expensive meal of chicken. Its wasn’t that good. After which We followed Jesus’ path when carrying the cross and ended in the church where he ascended. The churches were beautiful. We ended with the place where Jesus’ body was cleaned and finally the final burial place. It was a moving but tiring experience. After this we bussed back to the Dead Sea and had a swim. This was a random experience, as... as soon as you lift your feet off the salt crust your feet instantly move out of the water. This because the water contains 44% minerals. A sticky and slimy experience with random open areas on the body burning, but a wonderful memory.
We bussed all the way back to Egypt and got back to the hotel at 9h30 in the evening.
Friday we spent at the hotel and I suffered a little heat stroke. Also the first signs of Pharaohs revenge!
Saturday was another early start, but only 5h30, not as bad as the Israel early start. We headed to the marina and ferried our ways to Aquaba, Jordan’s city by the sea. We met our tour guide. We drove up through the mountains and 2 hours later we were in a canyon like area with small, rough looking buildings in Petra. Our guide took us to the tourism spot and we walked between the high mountains deeper into the lost city. Here we saw the famous treasury of Petra, the stone carved temple in the Raiders of the last ark Indiana Jones film. The 2-3 thousand year old city was a master piece as well as one of the 7 wonders of the world. Amazing to see what detailed people did in those days, literally cutting their homes into the mountains. The water works, gullies carved into the stone to bring water to the people was a huge engineering feat, even in today’s terms, and the clever kings made sure they would not have problems with a potential siege, by digging secret channels into the mountains. A recommended visit!
After an 8 kilo hike in 40 degree heat we went to the Marriot hotel for lunch. Very much the same food we had at the Sofitel – our hotel in Egypt, and we started getting very bored of the food. After lunch we drove 200km back to Aquaba and ferried (in the calmest seas I’ve ever seen back to Taba.). What a lovely day out!
The rest of the time we spent snorkelling and lounging at the pool. Pharaoh by now had raised the bar and both Jo and I had taken ill. But we still managed to enjoy our fully inclusive treats like ice creams and free drinks.
A specially note on the snorkelling:
It was like swimming in a swimming pool, but with the largest variety of fish I’ve ever seen. The vis was exceptional, even through the coral spawning at a super high and low tide. We saw small rays – beige in colour with glowing indigo spots, a leopard like moray eel, puffer fish. And the most beautifully coloured Parrot fish. One very large one which had run into a predator of some type and still had gaping wounds. This magical under water world was the most colourful snorkelling trip I’ve ever done! I’m not sure ill ever snorkel anywhere like it again. 10/10!
On Tuesday at 14h15, we waited at reception and boarded our final bus back the airport. Here we waited in a long queue – everyone one of the 6 busses was going back to the UK, and we checked our baggage in. We sat for 2 hours in a waiting hall and finally boarded our plane back to Gatwick north terminal. After 2 hours we finally walked through the front door and were back at home. It all happened so quickly, but it was an amazing trip!
Next Scotland, for Dave stag and then off to Lucy and Rupert’s wedding in Czech. Watch this space for more updates.
