Holiday plans...

[cannockred]

Not all those that wander are lost.

It's been a great week here in the Kingdom of Jordan. Starting with the Greek/Roman city of Jerash which saw the Romans move from Paganism to Christianity.

We explored the ancient part of the capital Amman including the amphitheatre and the citadel high on top of the city. Greek,Roman and Muslim.

Down to look at mosaics at Madaba and then onward to Kerak Castle built in the 12th century by the Knights Templars. Survived 150 years before being starved by the forces of Saladin.

On down to Wadi Rum. The red desert of the Bedouin and famed for the scenery in Lawrence of Arabia, the Martian amongst many. A 4x4 ride seeing Lawrence Spring and the remains of his house. Stunning!

A day at Petra. Saw the Treasury and even managed the steep climb to the Monastery. Truly amazing and date I suggest should be on everyone's bucket list.

Finishing at a very nice Spa hotel on the Dead Sea. We're opposite Jerusalem. Glorious sunshine, swimming and spa treatment to finish the week. No swimming in the sea, and the pools of Dead Sea water have been drained.

An incredible week and a reminder why we travel.

When we visited Jerash, we were sat in the amphitheatre and I could hear bagpipes. Then 4 former Jordanian soldiers, wearing harris tweed jackets and the red and white checked head covering came in to view, playing . It was a totally surreal reminder of the great friendship that Britain and Jordan enjoys to his day.

 

[Hants_red]

When we visited Jerash, we were sat in the amphitheatre and I could hear bagpipes. Then 4 former Jordanian soldiers, wearing harris tweed jackets and the red and white checked head covering came in to view, playing . It was a totally surreal reminder of the great friendship that Britain and Jordan enjoys to his day.

Very friendly people. We saw the bagpipe players as well.

I missed that we did Mount Nebo. I looked across and saw the promised land. Indeed one day we will play Championship football

There is a lot of religious history. I've been keeping my religiously minded sisters entertained by some of the places we've been or nearby. We're quite close to the Baptism site here but won't be visiting.

 

[Hants_red]

Three weeks until we go to Antigua. Yesterday we got phoned up by the holiday company who told us that the Antiguan government have commandeered the resort for a bubble hotel for a team playing in a cricket tournament while we're there So back looking for another resort, think we have found a similar one that also has the benefit of being adult only.

 

[manc grecian]

Put your whites on and pretend you're Viv Richards.

 

[DB9]

Three weeks until we go to Antigua. Yesterday we got phoned up by the holiday company who told us that the Antiguan government have commandeered the resort for a bubble hotel for a team playing in a cricket tournament while we're there So back looking for another resort, think we have found a similar one that also has the benefit of being adult only.

This "Adults Only" place Hants, Hope you've read the small print, Over in the Caribbean there a few "Hedonistic" places where no rules apply, You might be in for a shock!!!!

 

[iscalad]

This "Adults Only" place Hants, Hope you've read the small print, Over in the Caribbean there a few "Hedonistic" places where no rules apply, You might be in for a shock!!!!

In his dreams

 

[Alistair20000]

Should the thread title be changed to reflect the coming of autumn ?

Just a thought like

 

[dontpassback]

Three weeks until we go to Antigua. Yesterday we got phoned up by the holiday company who told us that the Antiguan government have commandeered the resort for a bubble hotel for a team playing in a cricket tournament while we're there So back looking for another resort, think we have found a similar one that also has the benefit of being adult only.

Pineapple beach resort in Antigua is very nice

 

[Alistair20000]

We were lucky to be within the first 30 cars off the ferry in Ouistreham last week. Only two booths open for passport and vaccination certificate checking and it took us over 30 minutes to get through. Goodness only knows how long it took the 200 or so cars behind us to clear the port.

As regards Covid protocols in France, somewhat of a mixed bag. Masks in shops but people pushing and shoving in the larger supermarkets and not observing the one metre rule. Older folk often wearing masks incorrectly.

Masks advisory in some restaurants and hotels and compulsory in others. The good old breakfast buffet is back though despite it being said last year the buffet was gone for ever.

Paperwork and mobile phones passed around at the port between travellers and officials without hand sanitising being done which seems counter intuitive. We printed out all the paperwork which seemed to make scanning easier by the officials.

As regards France, it was lovely with decent autumn weather and some very good meals.

Wine and spirits restocked

 

[Hants_red]

Last holiday of the year completed. Wasn't Egypt as planned as that was on the red list when we needed to pay the balance of the costs.

So off to Antigua. Where the weather was sunny and a warm 30°c. It was all inclusive a first for us, just sit by the pool or on the beach. We ate far too well and drunk far too much! We hired a car on two days and toured the island, so many beautiful beaches and so quiet. I also tried out paddle boarding and kayaking. Went snorkelling, swam with, held and fed the stingrays.

A very chilled 12 days.