‘Happy Trails’! Willie is our wake up song on our iPad alarm clocks, “On the Road Again.!”. I know exactly how you feel. Our first ‘break out’ suffered two short term cancelations, but we went anyway … a couple weeks later. One of the best trips ever. And they unexpectedly upgraded us to one of the best suites on the ship. We really didn’t care, but it was nice. We were just happy being there. One hundred days to Africa … K&T.
Almost to IST. Turkish 787-9 aircraft, flight, crew, and food were fantastic, but it has been a looong day so far and we have a 5.5 hr layover in IST. My body has no idea what time it is! Over Belgrade right now- 1+23 to IST.
Safe Travels Alan....
I communicated with a friend yesterday who is on the Nile cruise portion of her Egypt trip. She's having a fantastic time. She was in Jordan last week and said the float in the Dead Sea was good (the water was warm enough) and the hike in Petra was as spectacular as I described it.
What a lounge!!! (and good wifi! ) I hope I didn’t choose unwisely- had some tasty Indian food.
For those who have been here, you will know where we sat- here are a few pics from where we camped out (tons of comfortable seating, good view of the main floor, and a few things for the kids to do.
AlanS - You picked Indian food. Did that turn out to be your favorite food station? If you have to layover somewhere the Istanbul Business Class lounge is the place to do it.
Miss you, already. Cannot wait to see more pictures... rest and enjoy the beautiful hotel & the dead sea
If you go to the Spa, ask for TIK!
Have a great trip. )
We arrived at Queen Alia airport a bit before midnight and were met by the expeditor who zoomed us through arrival formalities so quickly, we had to wait at the carousel for our bags. We were the only two, everyone else arrived earlier in the day or the day prior. We had a great and informative driver. It was dark so other than having the lights of Jericho visible in the distance, we couldn’t see much. We’ll see about half the drive on the way to Jerash tomorrow. Still in bed waiting for for the Queen to awaken
In addition to the packet of info from the TD we received a bottle of wine (to celebrate the Queen’s upcoming birthday - I didn’t blab ) and a very nice note from Tauck thanking us for our loyalty . . . . and support for the forums over the years! Uh, Oh, they’ve got my number I guess it is time to get up, eat something, check things out, and see if a Dead Sea “float” is In the cards later today. It was - 1 deg C at the airport last night and we saw lingering piles of snow at Istanbul Airport yesterday!
The weather was much warmer in the Jordan Valley along the Dead Sea today. And contrary to my apprehension, the water temp, though cool, was fine for a “float”. Though there was no visible improvement in the beauty and softness of my skin ( ) I did the mud thing, too.
I saw an interesting article on the front page of the Arabia News.
Though there are other people here, not a lot, so it wasn’t difficult to spot the Taucktourians. I think we met most of the other 18 of our group of 20. (4 must have dropped out)
I figured they got the “mud” from a spa supplies dealer. When the attendant was refilling the ”mud” urn, my wife asked him where he got it. He pointed out yonder and said,”see that point of land?- out there about 2 -3 feet down.
Are looking forward to following your journey! We are scheduled for November 14 - 26. Anyone else out there for that same time? Would love any tips you pick up on when GEM might open. We're sure hoping it will be just before we arrive but know it's a roll of the dice. We plan to stay 2 extra nights at the Mena House and are looking forward to several private tours. If you find a guide you particularly like, would appreciate a recommendation. Only suggestion I have is for you to make reservations for the Moghul Room on your free night at the Mena House. That can be done on their web site. Their Indian food was amazing when we ate there on a trip to Eygpt in 2009. Our Viking cruise then was good but we're really excited about Tauck and getting to Jordan which we didn't do then.
OBXnana I agree, the Moghul restaurant was amazing. I was on this tour this past December. The first night at the Mena House you have a choice of dining options that is covered by Tauck. During the drive to the hotel the TD will inquire about your dining partners and make the reservation for you/group. The food was amazing and they serve you a lot! The atmosphere was quite nice as well.
I'm looking forward to traveling again to Jordan and Egypt (vicariously with AlanS). Perhaps I'll journey back that way in the future to see the contents of the GEM...inshallah.
Let me see if I can get something done before it is time for the lecture.
Today is Tour Day 2
Jerash day plus a quick drive through Amman. The weather was not so good today- cool/cold w/mist/very light drizzle all day until we got back the to Movenpick. I should have worn my long sleeve T-shirt, but a long sleeve shirt and sleeveless safari vest worked out. I had my buff so used that over my head as a cap. TD had plastic ponchos for those who wanted. Since we arrived late at night we never saw how hilly/mountainous Jordan is. Traffic was light-to- moderate- weekend here is Friday and Saturday. Jerash is amazing- I could have spent an entire day here. At the end of our guided walk, we had all-to-little free time, but my wife and I kept heading north to the northern theater which was much more impressive than the southern one which we saw with the guide earlier. I am embarrassed to say we were a little late getting back to the bus (especially since we are not rookies and our Tauck tour count is highest among the group by a fair amount) but it was worth it to us- it was a wow visit!!!! Here are a few shots- Hadrian’s Arch (main entry), hippodrome. Temple of Zeus, southern theater, etc, northern theater, Philadelphia Gate, etc. FYI, the entire site is on Google Maps and can be "walked virtually" using Street View.
As usual, had too much food for lunch at Khayl & Layl restaurant- big spread of veggies, mezza, and meat- Kabob lamb and chicken. Tomorrow we visit Mt Nebo, Madaba and the Church of Saint George, etc. before arriving at the next stop- Abu Musa and Petra!! Can’t wait!
Hadrian's Arch:
At the far end of the Hippodrome looking back towards Hadrian's Arch:
Temple of Zeus:
Southern Theater:
colonnaded Cardo Maximus:
The Nymphaeum:
Philadephia Gate:
Northern Theater:
One of many pieces looking for a place to call home:
I love all the pictures and information you have provided. We are booked for this trip in October. How much local currency would you suggest to get? Would you suggest getting if ahead of travel or once you arrive?
PureLuxury - Was dinner in the Moghul Room arranged for you by Tauck your first night? Or should I make reservations there the night we are on our own? Where did you go for dinner on your "free" night?
I visited Jerash on the I/J tour. Most impressive Roman ruins I've seen! The Jerash trip was optional on our tour and about half the group stayed back for a spa day or whatever.
Alan - hope you've been exercising in preparation for the longest and most-ever planned hikes in Petra.
Comments
‘Happy Trails’! Willie is our wake up song on our iPad alarm clocks, “On the Road Again.!”. I know exactly how you feel. Our first ‘break out’ suffered two short term cancelations, but we went anyway … a couple weeks later. One of the best trips ever. And they unexpectedly upgraded us to one of the best suites on the ship. We really didn’t care, but it was nice. We were just happy being there. One hundred days to Africa … K&T.
Looking forward to your reports!
Wishing you fair winds and following seas.
(Finally got inflight wifi to work!)
Almost to IST. Turkish 787-9 aircraft, flight, crew, and food were fantastic, but it has been a looong day so far and we have a 5.5 hr layover in IST. My body has no idea what time it is! Over Belgrade right now- 1+23 to IST.
Safe travels, Alan. So happy for you, I know you have been waiting forever for this trip. Enjoy and keep in touch.
Safe Travels Alan....
I communicated with a friend yesterday who is on the Nile cruise portion of her Egypt trip. She's having a fantastic time. She was in Jordan last week and said the float in the Dead Sea was good (the water was warm enough) and the hike in Petra was as spectacular as I described it.
I know you will have a GREAT time.
AlanS - That 5.5 hour layover in the Istanbul Business Class lounge will fly by!
What a lounge!!!
(and good wifi! 
) I hope I didn’t choose unwisely- had some tasty Indian food. 
For those who have been here, you will know where we sat- here are a few pics from where we camped out (tons of comfortable seating, good view of the main floor, and a few things for the kids to do.
AlanS - You picked Indian food. Did that turn out to be your favorite food station? If you have to layover somewhere the Istanbul Business Class lounge is the place to do it.
Miss you, already. Cannot wait to see more pictures... rest and enjoy the beautiful hotel & the dead sea
)
If you go to the Spa, ask for TIK!
Have a great trip.
We arrived at Queen Alia airport a bit before midnight and were met by the expeditor who zoomed us through arrival formalities so quickly, we had to wait at the carousel for our bags. We were the only two, everyone else arrived earlier in the day or the day prior. We had a great and informative driver. It was dark so other than having the lights of Jericho visible in the distance, we couldn’t see much. We’ll see about half the drive on the way to Jerash tomorrow. Still in bed waiting for for the Queen to awaken
In addition to the packet of info from the TD we received a bottle of wine (to celebrate the Queen’s upcoming birthday - I didn’t blab
) and a very nice note from Tauck thanking us for our loyalty . . . . and support for the forums over the years! Uh, Oh, they’ve got my number 
I guess it is time to get up, eat something, check things out, and see if a Dead Sea “float” is In the cards later today. It was - 1 deg C at the airport last night and we saw lingering piles of snow at Istanbul Airport yesterday! 
Alan: How nice of Tauck to acknowledge your great support of the Forum over the years. I guess they are paying attention. Well done.
AlanS testing the water in the Dead Sea. No float in the Dead Sea requires another visit when the temperatures are suitable!!
The weather was much warmer in the Jordan Valley along the Dead Sea today. And contrary to my apprehension, the water temp, though cool, was fine for a “float”. Though there was no visible improvement in the beauty and softness of my skin (
) I did the mud thing, too.
I saw an interesting article on the front page of the Arabia News.
Though there are other people here, not a lot, so it wasn’t difficult to spot the Taucktourians. I think we met most of the other 18 of our group of 20. (4 must have dropped out)
Touche! 😂
Good job on the float, although I could have done without seeing the mud picture!
I figured they got the “mud” from a spa supplies dealer. When the attendant was refilling the ”mud” urn, my wife asked him where he got it. He pointed out yonder and said,”see that point of land?- out there about 2 -3 feet down.
Nice! Keep having fun.
Leaving tomorrow; Alan S! Will see you Sunday, I guess.
Such a great trip! you will enjoy it all!
Note the resemblance...
Are looking forward to following your journey! We are scheduled for November 14 - 26. Anyone else out there for that same time? Would love any tips you pick up on when GEM might open. We're sure hoping it will be just before we arrive but know it's a roll of the dice. We plan to stay 2 extra nights at the Mena House and are looking forward to several private tours. If you find a guide you particularly like, would appreciate a recommendation. Only suggestion I have is for you to make reservations for the Moghul Room on your free night at the Mena House. That can be done on their web site. Their Indian food was amazing when we ate there on a trip to Eygpt in 2009. Our Viking cruise then was good but we're really excited about Tauck and getting to Jordan which we didn't do then.
OBXnana I agree, the Moghul restaurant was amazing. I was on this tour this past December. The first night at the Mena House you have a choice of dining options that is covered by Tauck. During the drive to the hotel the TD will inquire about your dining partners and make the reservation for you/group. The food was amazing and they serve you a lot! The atmosphere was quite nice as well.
I'm looking forward to traveling again to Jordan and Egypt (vicariously with AlanS). Perhaps I'll journey back that way in the future to see the contents of the GEM...inshallah.
Let me see if I can get something done before it is time for the lecture.
Jerash day plus a quick drive through Amman. The weather was not so good today- cool/cold w/mist/very light drizzle all day until we got back the to Movenpick. I should have worn my long sleeve T-shirt, but a long sleeve shirt and sleeveless safari vest worked out. I had my buff so used that over my head as a cap. TD had plastic ponchos for those who wanted. Since we arrived late at night we never saw how hilly/mountainous Jordan is. Traffic was light-to- moderate- weekend here is Friday and Saturday. Jerash is amazing- I could have spent an entire day here. At the end of our guided walk, we had all-to-little free time, but my wife and I kept heading north to the northern theater which was much more impressive than the southern one which we saw with the guide earlier. I am embarrassed to say we were a little late getting back to the bus (especially since we are not rookies and our Tauck tour count is highest among the group by a fair amount) but it was worth it to us- it was a wow visit!!!! Here are a few shots- Hadrian’s Arch (main entry), hippodrome. Temple of Zeus, southern theater, etc, northern theater, Philadelphia Gate, etc. FYI, the entire site is on Google Maps and can be "walked virtually" using Street View.
As usual, had too much food for lunch at Khayl & Layl restaurant- big spread of veggies, mezza, and meat- Kabob lamb and chicken. Tomorrow we visit Mt Nebo, Madaba and the Church of Saint George, etc. before arriving at the next stop- Abu Musa and Petra!! Can’t wait!
Hadrian's Arch:
At the far end of the Hippodrome looking back towards Hadrian's Arch:
Temple of Zeus:
Southern Theater:
colonnaded Cardo Maximus:
The Nymphaeum:
Philadephia Gate:
Northern Theater:
One of many pieces looking for a place to call home:
I love all the pictures and information you have provided. We are booked for this trip in October. How much local currency would you suggest to get? Would you suggest getting if ahead of travel or once you arrive?
PureLuxury - Was dinner in the Moghul Room arranged for you by Tauck your first night? Or should I make reservations there the night we are on our own? Where did you go for dinner on your "free" night?
I visited Jerash on the I/J tour. Most impressive Roman ruins I've seen! The Jerash trip was optional on our tour and about half the group stayed back for a spa day or whatever.
Alan - hope you've been exercising in preparation for the longest and most-ever planned hikes in Petra.
AlanS - Did you have bagpipers in the Southern Theater? That was an unexpected treat during our Jerash visit.
Sam - I don't recall bagpipes and I was there a few weeks after you were (about a month after the Mexican tourist stabbing incident).
We had bagpipers and a drummer there in March 2020.
MCD - We also had a drummer. In the picture below you can see the drums and the bagpiper. This was prior to their performance.
ure