Sunday, July 12, 2009

Warning this is going to be a long post because for the Fourth of July Weekend I went to Jordan for four days....and I took a lot of pictures...a lot.

We (Me, Elizabeth and Gorka) got off the plane, got our sweet rental car that only had a tape player even though I had burned about 20 cds to rock out too, and headed straight to the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth and the saltiest body of water. So basically you float even when you are on your stomach and it burns if any water gets remotely close to your face. Also the mud at the edge is said to be very nutritious...and super cool when we smear it all over you. Please be advised that one should not shave one's legs the day before they go to the Dead Sea as it will burn....bad.

We then drove to Dana Reserve where we stayed for the night. The campsite is set up with these tents that have a mattress and clean sheets inside...very comfortable yet outdoories at the same time. The scenery was breath taking.

But on our way to Dana we were distracted by the incredible sunset looking out to the Dead Sea and Israel....ridiculous.
Dana Campsite

Petra was amazing. It is one the 7 Wonders of the World and can hold its own. Just the scale was mind blowing....never mind the raw beauty.



After making friends with our tour guide from Petra he suggested that we go with him to the desert (Wadi Arabia) where he took four wheeling in his jeep and then cooked us dinner...and of course watched the sunset.

Elizabeth contracted Bronchitis so we decided instead of dragging her around the desert some more we would get stay in a nice hotel, Movenpick (the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at)


So while Elizabeth regained some strength, G and I hit up Wadi Rum.
Wadi Rum is a vast desert expanse with really beautiful rock formations and cool history including the "house" where Lawrence of Arabia was thought to have lived and thousand year old rock carvings.

Before we headed out we enjoyed some delicious Bedouin style tea and a little Arabic lesson

We took a five hour jeep tour and only saw a fraction of the scenery.

....and the sunsets just kept getting better



After a long wonderful day...a feast Bodouin sytle!


We decided after our day in the desert to relax by hanging around all the water attractions our sweet five star hotel had to offer. So we started at the Red Sea and worked our way through the four hotel pools.

We had such a rough time we just had to get some beverages to cool down.

I have been waiting for a long time to see Jordan and it was definitely worth the wait. It is my favorite country I have visited and I highly recommend it to someone who loves to travel. I can't wait to go back.

11 comments:

Jane Morris said...

The pics are fabulous Whit, and the comments (with a little editing)! You should write for a travel magazine. Now I can't wait to go to Jordan.

the walker family said...

SO jealous. I just remembered that Jenna (I think you met her last year in Austin) lived in Jordan. She actually grew up in the middle east until she was 14. Just a fun fact. Anyway, love the pics, glad you had a good time.

the walker family said...

SO jealous. I just remembered that Jenna (I think you met her last year in Austin) lived in Jordan. She actually grew up in the middle east until she was 14. Just a fun fact. Anyway, love the pics, glad you had a good time.

Claire said...

Houston is cool too.

Unknown said...

sigh... while you are out exploring the farthest ends of the earth, I am sitting at my computer exploring the farthest ends of financial databases. Exhillirating. Can't wait to swap stories when you get back....

The Giddings said...

That seriously looks SO cool. This is a weird "wish", but I have always wanted to float in the dead sea. And the longing gets stronger and stronger the heavier I get. I can't wait to see all the presents you're getting for me. (Joke) Violet misses you. You need to get on Skype.

The Giddings said...

Oh also, what the HELL is in that drink? Why is there foam?

Unknown said...

Hey Whit! I'm loving the photos and your travelin tales! Thanks so much for sharing with all of us...helps the 9-5 pass that much faster. Can't wait to hear and see more!

Cassandra Giddings said...

Did you see any good fireworks? HOhohoho.

jenna said...

um here stalking you again, just trying to be a morris as always. anyway, your trip looks amazing. totally jealous. i LOVE jordan. lived there for three years. i hope you make it to aqaba! if you need a place to stay there or in amman we have GREAT family friends there that will show you a good time. email me jmrammell@gmail.com.
also the movenpik is the best hotel ever!!!

Unknown said...

Im also stalking you.. on any sort of electrical device possible! email, skype, phone, i even tried telepathy.. where are you?

i love your pics from Jordan. I am also dying of envy.. I want to go. so much..

Morocco?? si tu plait

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I live and work in San Francisco but am currently on a short term assignment in Abu Dhabi, UAE. If you want to know more call me.