Day 8 - Petra/Amman

With having had to get up early the last couple of days, to visit the ruins, today we had a lie-in and a late breakfast.

We got talking to the duty manager who told us there was a mini bus leaving for Amman at 11.30 if we wanted to catch that instead of waiting till 4.30pm for the JETT bus.  That sounded like a plan, travel on one of the local buses should be an experience not to be missed, and it was a fair bit cheaper than the JETT bus.  With his offer of a lift down to the stop to catch it, it was a done deal.  So, it was back upstairs to grab the bags and into his car and off to the bus stop.

The bus was packed with locals and a few backpackers, and air conditioning was the guy in the passenger seat opening the window.
We met a Canadian girl who was heading back to Amman to get a flight home, but was going to hang out in Amman for a couple of hours to kill time.  So she ended up coming to our hotel to drop her bags in our room, before getting a whistle stop tour of Amman, which she loved.  After she got her taxi to the airport, we headed out for a wander and something to eat, where we got talking to an elderly couple from New Zealand.  League of Nations today!

And so to bed.  Dead Sea tomorrow.

Jordan day 4 - Amman

Up for breakfast before heading to Abduli market, but first a wee panic.  We never saw Raymond last night, and don't know if he picked up our bus tickets to get to Petra.
He sacked someone last night, and they didn't react well, so he's at the police station giving a statement.  The guy behind reception kept saying "Five minutes", for about half an hour, until someone noticed bus tickets in the pigeon hole for the room keys. Day saved! We'd not have made Petra as there's only one bus a day and we'd have lost £100+ on the hotel there, and then had to pay out again to stay in Amman.

So, after getting the tickets sorted, we headed to Abduli market.  For Glaswegians, think a vast open air version of the Barras, but without the knock-off.  On the way there, we asked someone where the JETT bus office was, as that was where the bus to Petra would leave from.  He told us to jump into his van, and he ran us to it so we knew exactly where it was, then ran us back down to the market!  He wouldn't take anything for his trouble. That's one thing about Jordan, the people are really friendly.

Karen in Abduli market

From the market we wandered back into town, and stopped off at a juice bar. The guy remembered us from a couple of days ago and even remembered the order.  Then it was back to the hotel for a wee rest before heading uphill to the Amman Citadel.

The Citadel is something else!  It's vast, and sits on top of one of Ammans many hills.  The views are superb.  It's a fair trek, so we stopped off en route for a coffee.  Once we finally got to the Citadel, it did not disappoint. The place is stunning, and the views of the city are incredible.  In the middle of the site is the archaeology museum.  Well worth the admission of 2JD (£2)

Amman Citadel

Overlooking the city from the Citadel

Back in town, it was time to eat.  We found a small hole in the wall place, up an alley doing 1/2 chicken, rice and salad for 2.5JD.  Add in a couple of drinks and it came to 5.75JD.  They certainly didn't skimp on the portions either!  Two of us, totally stuffed for under £6.  Result.

So, back at the hotel, and we're pretty much packed to head off to Petra tomorrow.  We're getting a lift to the bus, and we're setting off at 6.00am.  It's going to be a long bus journey!

Later in the evening, Raymond ( the owner) and his wife took us out.  First we stopped off at a bakery where they bought us a tray of Arab sweets, then we went for a drive along Rainbow St, we'd walked along during the day, but which at night, really comes alive, and seems to be the street to be seen in.  It was totally throbbing, and people were out in force.  Definately the place to be and more importantly, be seen!

Day 2 - Amman

After a really good night's sleep, which included being woken at 4.00am by the call to prayer at the local mosque, it was time for breakfast.  Pretty decent buffet, but lots of veggie stuff, so it was juice, toast and coffee for me.

We headed downtown in search of Rainbow Street, which turns out to be in a very nice (posh) bit of town, with very nice (expensive) shops, and some Embassies. After stopping at a juice bar, we found a shop selling pretty cool stuff - t shirts, books on graffitti art etc - and bought a couple of t shirts. ( I got one that combines the Palastinian cause with V for Vendetta! )

On the way back downtown, I got some photos of some pretty cool street art (it was way too good to be classed as graffitti).  Once back in the main drag, we had a random wander before stopping at another juice place for a drink.  The guy asked where we were from, and when we said said Scotland, he got excited, cried out "Braveheart" and asked me where my skirt was.  I told him it was a kilt and it was hanging up in a the house in Scotland.  Then Karen got into a conversation with a local woman who had stopped for a drink.  It was fun chatting with the locals, and not just hotel/restraunt staff.

Back at the hotel for a breather, and I tried getting online, but although the netbook saw the network, it kept timing out when I tried to connect.  Tried the phone and got the same result. (Later both connected no problem).

After chilling out, we headed across the road to the Roman Amphitheatre, which is right across from the hotel.  There's actually two right next to each other.  The large main one, and a smaller one right next to it.  Also included in the cost of 1JD (near as damn it £1) was the folklore museum, which was also pretty cool.

Amman Roman Amphitheatre

The climb to the top of the main amphitheatre was pretty steep, but well worth it for the view.  The smaller theatre may lack the scale of the main one, but it's also really nice.  There's a classical concert taking place there just after we leave, with Jordanian musicians and a Dutch conductor.  It's free, and sounds like it would have been good to see, but we'll be in Petra when it takes place.

Back to the hotel again and I got all the pics so far transfered onto the netbook, then it was time to eat.  After dinner I tried getting online again, and bingo!  Straight on, no problem, so we got the information we wanted for Friday.  Tomorrow we should be doing a trip, but we're not sure where to yet.

And so, since there's only alcohol free beer (yup, you read that right), it's time for a large whisky in the room before bed.

Jordan day 1 - Glasgow to Gatwick to Amman

Up before the sun (4.30) which pleased Rosie, as she was looking to get fed - that cat is insatiable.  Quick shower, coffee and then into the taxi to the airport, where I discovered I'd left the Lonely Planet book at home.  Bollocks.  Mind you, I can get the info online, so if that's the only balls up, I can live with it.

So, Glasgow to Gatwick was totally uneventful.  Had a huge breakfast of pancakes, bacon and maple syrup, with homemade lemonade with mint.  Very reminiscent of Damascus, which was ironic, as we'll be staying with Raymond, who we stayed with in Damascus.

After checking in, there was enough time to kill that we got to take in Duty Free, and have lunch as well.

On the plane for six hours, and oh joy.  A family of Germans behind us, who seemed to have overdosed their kids on Haribo before getting on the plane.  Two ciders, a bit of a nap, and a read of a book later, and it's time to touchdown in Amman.

We caught Raymond just before he left, and told him we had some gifts from Scotland.  Turns out he doesn't drink, so one less pressie for him, one bottle of whisky for me to devour while we're here.  He still got tablet, Tunnocks teacakes and other stuff, so he's happy too.

Anyway, it's been a long day, and I'm knackered.  Roll on tomorrow.

One more sleep....

then it's Jordan.

As with the India trip, I'll update daily internet access permitting (I totally forgot to check if there's wifi at the hotel).  If I'm screwed for access, I'll be keeping a diary anyway, so I'll do what I did with the India trip, and still do daily updates, only it'll be when I get back.

Anyway, Amman, here we come.

Just booked....

....flights to Jordan and a hotel near Petra.  Still need to book a hotel in Amman, which I'll try and get sorted over the weekend.

Shouldn't get too excited though.  We're not going until May.