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Nancy and Doug Trips
Nancy and Doug Trips

Nancy and Doug Trips

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
 “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” Read more🇨🇦British Columbia
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  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Leaving Jordan

    October 17, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Jordan is a country of great beauty and variety. It is a very easy to visit and get around with uncrowded roads outside of Amman (don't even think of driving in central Amman) and English is fine to get away with. The Jordanian people were the warmest people I met on this trip and I generally found the people I met to be easy-going and patient with visitors.

    There is a lot of variety of activities from beach resorts in both Aqaba and the Dead Sea, incredible historical and archaeological sites, adventures in nature and the out of this world landscapes of the desert.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Drive like a Jordanian

    October 17, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We left camp right after breakfast as two other guests were booked for a camel ride which was on the way back to the village. I got in the car and followed Ra'ad to a gas station which is the only place for miles that takes credit cards and we used my Visa to get cash to pay for the tour. I then headed straight to Aqaba. After a brief peek at Aqaba waterfront, I dropped off the car at Aqaba airport.

    I will find out in a couple of weeks how to 'Walk Like An Egyptian', but can now say I know how to 'Drive Like A Jordanian'. The roads are rough (like Kingston, Ontario rough) and they have NO PAINTED LINES!. This works because the first thing to understand is that the drivers here are all totally crazy. However, that works out just fine because you know they are crazy and the other crazy driver knows that YOU know he is crazy, and thus you are ready when he does something crazy because that is what crazy people do, right? So when an oncoming driver pulls out to pass a car on a road only meant to have two lanes (remember the no lines thing?) he knows that both you and the car he is passing move over to use the six inches of shoulder and that gives him just enough room in the middle. See, Jordanians are a very sharing people, and that includes sharing the road in the most literal sense.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Aqaba Waterfront

    October 17, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Didn't spend much time in Aqaba. Thought I might briefly visit the museum , but wandered around the Great Arab Revolt Plaza which has a number of new buildings that are not open and an absolutely enormous flag called "The Flag of the Great Arab Revolt" but could not see an entrance to the museum. I decided I would just sip a coffee at a beachfront café instead.

    Aqaba is larger than I expected and has a number of upscale hotels and a nice looking beach. Can't say much else about it. The waters and beaches do look nice and I can see it is a popular place for diving and snorkeling.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Bedouin Camp

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Arrived at our camp. Eight sleeping tents and a dining tent. Solar panels provide enough electricity for an LED light in each hut. There is a communal washroom with 'cold and cold' running water from tanks that get refilled by tanker trucks and flush toilets.

    Dinner was cooked in hot coals in a pit the traditional Bedouin way and was quite good along with the usual salads.

    After dinner most of the guests sat around the campfire but it was an early night.

    Very comfortable bed with two thick blankets despite the very cold night.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Sunset view point.

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Arrived too early at 5:15. Just two trucks, the other one a group of three.. Each of us gingerly clambered up a rock to find a 'padded' spot and settle in. Ra'ab on the other hand, climbs up barefoot with teapot and cups to pour us a cup of tea.

    Sunset came after 6 and it was pleasant.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Um Frouth Rock Arch

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Another, larger natural bridge. Very busy with tourists. Difficult looking climb made more challenging because of the large numbers of people some going up and some coming down vying for the same route when there are virtually no footholds. Decided to enjoy the view from below.

    Another tent and another tea. By this time Ra'ab was even singing a little ditty "Every Bedouin loves his tea". He also calls it "Bedouin whiskey". Being busier at least they seemed to be making a few sales.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Mushroom Rock

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    As the name says -- a natural rock formation that looks like a mushroom

    🍄

    From all angles.

    It's big.

    What else can I say.

    Another tent. More tea.

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Lawrence's house

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    TE Lawrence allegedly stayed here in during the Arab Revolt 1917. It was originally a water cistern built by the Nabateans a couple of millennia ago. Not much of it is left and there is not much of interest to really see, although the setting is impressive.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Al-Khazali Canyon

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    This is the opening to a very narrow canyon ( a siq) with some inscriptions on the walls. There are more inside, but for safety reason, the entry has been sealed with boulders. The inscriptions are in petroglyphs, Arabic, Thamudic and Nabatean done at different times. Basically ancient graffiti.

    Actually there wasn't a tent here so no tea!    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Lawrence Spring

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This first stop on the 4WD tour was to a watering hole written about by Lawrence of Arabia in his book, There is a hike up where you can see the source, but from below, you can see the tree where the water comes out. Now there is a pipe that takes the water into the drinking troughs. There is also a rock with inscriptions that would have told caravans that water was to be found here.

    The pattern for these stops was established. Ra'ab would park, give me a brief introduction and tell me to wander around and take pictures, and he then went into a tent which was set up at every stop and have tea and talk with other Bedouin there. When I came back, he would invite me to sit, offer a tea and continue to talk loudly with his cousins until he decided it was time to go.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Wadi Rum Tour with Ra'ad

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After some confusion with Google maps, I met up just before 1 with my driver Ra'sd in Wadi Rum village where about 2,500 locals live. Ra'ad is a 22 year old local Bedouin who lives in the village or at the camp and is employed in the tourism industry. His father lived until recently as a nomad near the Saudi border. He was an engaging and amusing young man with a basic command of English and a cursory knowledge of the history or geology of Wadi Rum, As we went along the day, we met other men, all of whom belong to the same family, and whom Ra'ad said were his cousins. Before long, the running joke was that after every interaction I asked Ra'ad "Another cousin?"

    Ra'ad stopped at a snack bar and bought me a shawarma wrap and we discussed the agenda. Then off we went in our Toyota 'camel'.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Petra

    October 16, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    So Petra was everything one could hope for and more. Lived up to the hype and its designation as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A lot of walking and to think there is even more one can do here. There are a number of hikes on the upper plateau. I did not get to the sacrifice in high places or the views from the ridge above the Monastery or the Tombs among many others.

    One option that I heard about was to come at the Monastery from Little Petra and a hiking trail that gets to it directly. I opted for the classic Siq entry and would not have missed the experience of that.
    Had a great lunch that was just a little pricey, but truly superb food at My Mother's Kitchen just a few steps from Petra entrance. My stay at the Petra Guest House was very nice with free parking and a decent buffet breakfast and dinner.

    The problem with Petra is the hawkers. The tables and booths set up everywhere are out of control and seriously detract from the appreciation of the sites. If you stop for moment to take a drink or look around, some vendor will try to sell you a ride or a kid will come along with postcards or bracelets. It's really too bad they can't regulate this but it has to do with tribal Bedouin claiming indigenous rights.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Street of Facades

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After passing the Treasury you go through a shorter Outer Siq and the first thing us this row of large carved tombs of varying designs and degrees of preservation.

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Theatre

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The theatre is more or less in the middle of main street. It was built in the first century when the Nabataean kingdom was at its peak. It was influenced by the Roman fashion of building theatres but in Nabataean style including being carved out of solid rock.

    The Romans added to it and the capacity is about 8500 spectators, which is actually bigger than the Amman (Philadelphia) theatre.

    You can see that, being cut out if sandstone, it has eroded more than similar theatres that were built with blocks and marble, but it remains an impressive accomplishment.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    The Royal Tombs
    The Urn TombThe Urn Tomb's facadeThe Corinthian Tomb

    Royal Tombs

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    I didn't get up to actually look inside these. They are up above the main trail to the right after you pass the Street of Facades.
    These are a series of carved mausoleums. It is not known who was buried there but the design indicates they probably are indeed for kings. Each is a different designRead more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Great Temple

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    This large ruin is on the colonnaded street. It was built in the first century, and despite the name we call it, it is not certain what it's role was. Some archaeologists think it was most likely an administration/ political centre.

    It is best appreciated by viewing it from above near the Church.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Roman road

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Whenever you want an easy walk along a smooth path, just look for a Roman road! Yes, here in Petra, the old Roman road still has smooth and level paving stones. The Roman road forms a good length of the main trail with several of the monument sites along it.

    It was built in the 1st century after the Romans defeated the Nabatean empire. It was the main street of the city and would have had shops set back all along the route. Great gates defined the entrance to the road.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The donkey ride

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    One thing I can say I have never tried is a donkey ride up a cliff, so what better time to try it but now, and save some wear and tear on the legs right?

    So just after passing the Treasury were some donkey owners peddling their services. Hamid approached me and we agreed on a fee and off we went.
    William was a patient donkey accepting my considerable bulk and he bravely took me up to plateau just below the summit. He didn't always seem in control of the situation and I considered walking down but Hamid was concerned about my knees and so down I went on William's back. Well that was exciting. More terrifying than the space drop at Marineland that's for sure.

    In the end it saved my knees but frayed my nerves!    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Qasr al-Bint

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    At the end of the main road not long before the start of the climb to the Monastery is this monumental temple built by the Nabatean, but as a standalone building rather than carved out of the rock. They turned out to be good builders, because it is still stranding after all the earthquakes.

    The name means “the palace of Pharaoh’s daughter.” referring to a legend that this daughter having to choose between two suitors asked them to build a water supply for her palace. They both got the job done at the same time, so she chose the modest one who took no credit for it, but said his success was due to God.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Byzantine Church at Petra

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Also on the upper trail is a Byzantine church built in the 5th century. It has some elaborate intact mosaics. Construction techniques used masonry techniques similar to the more ancient monuments as the native Nabateans had converted from paganism to Christianity under the ruling Roman / Byzantine regime.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Temple of the Winged Lions

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    On a trail above and parallel to the main trail are another temple and Church (and a coffee shop where this old guy makes an awesome Turkish coffee). You also have some excellent views from above of the sites along the main trail below.

    The Nabatean temple was built in the first century to honour the goddess al-Uzza, and was destroyed in the 363 earthquake. It is mostly ruins now but you can find lots of columns that show the extent of this important temple.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Monastery - Ad Deir

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    The Monastery is reached after a climb of some 850 to 900 "steps" , or in some cases, boulders or slippery slopes from the main street of Petra. Full confession here - I cheated and took a donkey for all except the last 150. Saved my body and beat the crowds. I was apparently the sixth person to get there that day.

    Again, you round a corner and suddenly there it is. Stunning. The huge thing (47m wide and 48m high) was carved out of solid rock around 50 AD. It was given the name by the Bedouin because there were crosses carved in it when it was used by the Byzantines. However, it is believed that it was built as a temple by a cult devoted to an old Nabataean King Obodas who died 9BC.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Treasury

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    What can one say about this structure, THE iconic image of Petra that has not already been written except to say that standing in front of it in real life is beyond words.

    The structure is believed to have been the mausoleum of the Nabatean King Aretas IV in the 1st century AD. It became known as "Al-Khazneh", or The Treasury, in the early 19th century by the area's Bedouins as they had believed it contained treasures.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Siq

    October 15, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    What a way to enter the site. The walk from the entrance to Petra is first along a gravel road, then through the awe inspiring Siq, a narrow cleft through the red rock that almost closes together at the top. It still has original cobblestone flooring in some places, but modern aggregate has been laid to handle the tourist hordes. I got there by 6:30 both days, so got to experience this almost alone at times.

    Then, at the end, you get this tiny glimpse ahead of some sculpture -- yes, it is the Treasury, then all of a sudden you're out and there it is in front of you.

    It's easy footing as mentioned, and a downhill 3,000 steps in, and an uphill 3,000 out.

    Along the route there are several man-made features with niches and monuments and the engineering marvels such as the dams and the channels along the side to bring water in.    Read more

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