whoooo- on the road again. you've just gotta love a road trip. of course we decied to drive to Petra with out a real road map, and with our amazing map we manage to hit the KIngs Highway without even realising it- the most beautiful road to Petra. Now, the trip was suppose to take about 2 hours but with our accidental bypass it was more like 5, oh well.
essentiall we drove for fkn hours but the most amazing thing was this amazing canyon which try to rival the Grand Canyon. and to be fair its pretty amazing- especially when you're driving through it
highlights of the drive:
* playing speed bump spotto- those things are not marked and when you're travelling at 100kms it can hurt
* having to camando pee in someone' garden cause you're busting so much and there are no services
* checkin out the locals who aren't expecting tourists
in the end we arrived in Petra late with no hotel booked and no idea how long we were staying . we managed to get into the hotel the lonely planet recommened and whilke they were still serving dinner- score!
ps when 2 girls have been alone together just them for days, its really easy to forget to remember social niceties when you see others again.
Travel Tip 2: DO NOT KEEP YOUR WINDOW OPEN NO MATTER HOW HOT IT IS- the call to prayer and sparrow's fart WILL scare the CRAP out of you!
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Amman-a get out of this place!
if its the last thing I ever do!-- ok seriously lame joke but, honestly, inner for crappest city ever....Amman! Now there's an award you want to win.
In all honesty Mails & I rocked up tired after our whopping 40 minute flight from Beirut then poor Mails had to pretend to be Katherine and make small talk about Iraq to our driver all the way until the apartment. Ps cheers for the free apartment. Thankfully we had been given the heads up from the seaoned Amman travellers that it was, in 2 words, a crap hole- oops that was 3.
so anyway we dropped our crap and headed into the city. Now realistically its kind of cool having the city over 7 hills and when we headed to the anient ruins where the Temple of Hercules is it was kind of cool. But we were bloody hot and walking down the hill to the souk the only thing that saved us an awesome dodgey kebab shop. Now you've may hae worked out that mails' tummy isn't the best so she was a little hesitant, but that doesn't stop me and Mails isn''t one to miss out. Which leads us to lesson 1- Jordan has rockin kebabs.
all nie and kebabed up we hit the souk wher all i can say is (no not with shame) the scarf tally went to 16. otherwise to behonest the souk was crap comapred to what we had seen before- though we did find a little tat, and you know how we love the tat!
so hot & fucked off we went back to the apartment - you have no idea how frustraing it is getting a taxi outside the souk when you are used to the 10,000 beep beep's of the lebanese taxi's wherever you go. anyways we had a littl egrump on and decided it was time to mke out move to Petra.
Travel Tip 1: when trying to get a hire car, the most expensive hotel in town is not going to have the mos reasonable car hire place
In all honesty Mails & I rocked up tired after our whopping 40 minute flight from Beirut then poor Mails had to pretend to be Katherine and make small talk about Iraq to our driver all the way until the apartment. Ps cheers for the free apartment. Thankfully we had been given the heads up from the seaoned Amman travellers that it was, in 2 words, a crap hole- oops that was 3.
so anyway we dropped our crap and headed into the city. Now realistically its kind of cool having the city over 7 hills and when we headed to the anient ruins where the Temple of Hercules is it was kind of cool. But we were bloody hot and walking down the hill to the souk the only thing that saved us an awesome dodgey kebab shop. Now you've may hae worked out that mails' tummy isn't the best so she was a little hesitant, but that doesn't stop me and Mails isn''t one to miss out. Which leads us to lesson 1- Jordan has rockin kebabs.
all nie and kebabed up we hit the souk wher all i can say is (no not with shame) the scarf tally went to 16. otherwise to behonest the souk was crap comapred to what we had seen before- though we did find a little tat, and you know how we love the tat!
so hot & fucked off we went back to the apartment - you have no idea how frustraing it is getting a taxi outside the souk when you are used to the 10,000 beep beep's of the lebanese taxi's wherever you go. anyways we had a littl egrump on and decided it was time to mke out move to Petra.
Travel Tip 1: when trying to get a hire car, the most expensive hotel in town is not going to have the mos reasonable car hire place
Thursday, 17 June 2010
All scarfed up and nowhere to go
Actually that’s not true- we essentially went from one end of the country to the other with our little hire car.
After looking at these massive caves with Stalagmites and stalactites we motored up to Byblos which was suppose to have some awesome ruins- spoiler alert- they haven’t, the ruins are crap. Bearing in mind Mails & I had no plans or accommodation booked we decided to drive the girls up to the snow and stay the night up there. Yes you heard me right, snow! Is there anything Lebanon can’t do!!! We had a quiet but boozey night in at the hotel which was good and then went out to the slopes the next morning. To put it into perspective for you – we saw one guy skiing in his swimming trunks.
The plan was to head up to Tripoli next to check that out but we got as far as driving into the heart of the city, losing our temper and driving out. Oh well, it looked like a crap hole anyway. The only good thing out of that little journey is we finally found the transformer chicken place and got our Fishtastic, and let me tell you they were totally Fishtastic.
All renewed we headed up to the Bearre valley up near the other ski resort and found a cheap little hotel looking over the entire valley. Let me tell you this was gorgeous. To make it even better Mails & i did our favourite thing – grabbed some wine and snacks and sat on the balcony chatting till the sun went down (so romantic) and then continued with the wine while we watched the Oscars.
The final full day for Lebanon was spent booting it down south to Siddon. We had a super yummy and cheap lunch after which i decided it was best for me to scarf up as there was a lot of staring going on at my heathen red hair- damn mails and her dark hair and olivey complexion. We went for a wander through the souk- i thought it was awesome. It’s from ancient times and they still have people working and living in there but Mails wasn’t such a fan. It was here that the un-natural collection of scarves really started.
All stocked up on scarves I convinced Mails that we should head for Tyre. Now according to the guide book Siddon is as far south as you should go to be safe unless you check the travel warnings. If they are good go down to Tyre, do not go off the main roads and avoid the UN at all costs (nobody like the UN). So, all convinced we headed off to Tyre. Ok, I’ll admit, I forgot to read out the bit about the travel warnings when I was doing the convincing and I wouldn’t even have a clue where you check them anyway. After driving about 10 mins down the motorway we got diverted. We pulled off the motor way, both thinking about the book’s warning not to go off the main track, but determine not to be the first to scream and run away. I’ll admit when we had to drive past the big camp I did start to think maybe it wasn’t a good idea. But when has that ever stooped us. We continued down to Tyre panicing every time we saw the UN tanks around.
Turns out we didn’t see much of Tyre at all- I think we’d gotten ourselves a bit worked up and didn’t want to leave the car and there seemd to be lots of construction going on so it didn’t seem very pretty. The funniest thing of all though was when I got us stuck in a tinny narrow lane driving around the town. What was even funnier was that some guy on a scooter was interested enough in my awesome driving moods he drove past 4 times. To this day I am convinced if Lebanese Mamma hadn’t come out and directed us we would still be there today.
Oh yeah, and did I mention we did all of this without a real map- definitely O for awesome.
After looking at these massive caves with Stalagmites and stalactites we motored up to Byblos which was suppose to have some awesome ruins- spoiler alert- they haven’t, the ruins are crap. Bearing in mind Mails & I had no plans or accommodation booked we decided to drive the girls up to the snow and stay the night up there. Yes you heard me right, snow! Is there anything Lebanon can’t do!!! We had a quiet but boozey night in at the hotel which was good and then went out to the slopes the next morning. To put it into perspective for you – we saw one guy skiing in his swimming trunks.
The plan was to head up to Tripoli next to check that out but we got as far as driving into the heart of the city, losing our temper and driving out. Oh well, it looked like a crap hole anyway. The only good thing out of that little journey is we finally found the transformer chicken place and got our Fishtastic, and let me tell you they were totally Fishtastic.
All renewed we headed up to the Bearre valley up near the other ski resort and found a cheap little hotel looking over the entire valley. Let me tell you this was gorgeous. To make it even better Mails & i did our favourite thing – grabbed some wine and snacks and sat on the balcony chatting till the sun went down (so romantic) and then continued with the wine while we watched the Oscars.
The final full day for Lebanon was spent booting it down south to Siddon. We had a super yummy and cheap lunch after which i decided it was best for me to scarf up as there was a lot of staring going on at my heathen red hair- damn mails and her dark hair and olivey complexion. We went for a wander through the souk- i thought it was awesome. It’s from ancient times and they still have people working and living in there but Mails wasn’t such a fan. It was here that the un-natural collection of scarves really started.
All stocked up on scarves I convinced Mails that we should head for Tyre. Now according to the guide book Siddon is as far south as you should go to be safe unless you check the travel warnings. If they are good go down to Tyre, do not go off the main roads and avoid the UN at all costs (nobody like the UN). So, all convinced we headed off to Tyre. Ok, I’ll admit, I forgot to read out the bit about the travel warnings when I was doing the convincing and I wouldn’t even have a clue where you check them anyway. After driving about 10 mins down the motorway we got diverted. We pulled off the motor way, both thinking about the book’s warning not to go off the main track, but determine not to be the first to scream and run away. I’ll admit when we had to drive past the big camp I did start to think maybe it wasn’t a good idea. But when has that ever stooped us. We continued down to Tyre panicing every time we saw the UN tanks around.
Turns out we didn’t see much of Tyre at all- I think we’d gotten ourselves a bit worked up and didn’t want to leave the car and there seemd to be lots of construction going on so it didn’t seem very pretty. The funniest thing of all though was when I got us stuck in a tinny narrow lane driving around the town. What was even funnier was that some guy on a scooter was interested enough in my awesome driving moods he drove past 4 times. To this day I am convinced if Lebanese Mamma hadn’t come out and directed us we would still be there today.
Oh yeah, and did I mention we did all of this without a real map- definitely O for awesome.
Lessons from Lebanon
There are a few important things I learnt while in Lebanon and if we hadn’t hired a car I might never have become this wise:
1. There is no need to let lanes dictate to you. If you can realistically fit 4 cars on the road you should have 4, not the 2 that the lanes think- what do lanes know?
2. Using your indicator is a sign of weakness. If driving is about survival of the fittest then you can’t afford any weakness
3. Beeping your horn is essential in all situations- changing lanes, turning corners, driving straight etc. The smart move is to drive with your hand on your horn permanently (yes I am aware that sounds dirty)
4. If you park straight then there is more of a chance of someone touching your car. Embrace your inner French and where possible take up 2 parking bays
5. Lebanese time is different to London time or Perth time. Essentially if someone says 5 minutes times it by 10 add 51 divide by 0.3 and then multiply by that number again you will have how long it is really going to take.
6. Redheads cannot be terrorists. You can drive through 10,000 checkpoint charlies –scarf or no scarf- and as soon as they see your lily white face and heathen red hair you are going to get waved through. No matter how much you want to be checked. It’s like they have never heard of the IRA
7. Burnouts in the snow are fun. Nothing more really to be said here.
1. There is no need to let lanes dictate to you. If you can realistically fit 4 cars on the road you should have 4, not the 2 that the lanes think- what do lanes know?
2. Using your indicator is a sign of weakness. If driving is about survival of the fittest then you can’t afford any weakness
3. Beeping your horn is essential in all situations- changing lanes, turning corners, driving straight etc. The smart move is to drive with your hand on your horn permanently (yes I am aware that sounds dirty)
4. If you park straight then there is more of a chance of someone touching your car. Embrace your inner French and where possible take up 2 parking bays
5. Lebanese time is different to London time or Perth time. Essentially if someone says 5 minutes times it by 10 add 51 divide by 0.3 and then multiply by that number again you will have how long it is really going to take.
6. Redheads cannot be terrorists. You can drive through 10,000 checkpoint charlies –scarf or no scarf- and as soon as they see your lily white face and heathen red hair you are going to get waved through. No matter how much you want to be checked. It’s like they have never heard of the IRA
7. Burnouts in the snow are fun. Nothing more really to be said here.
Aussie girls scarfing it up in Lebanon
You know its going to end in trouble when Aussie girls head out to the middle east without even a clue in their pocket, but that's what we did anyway.
We started with an awesome trip in to the Bekaa Valley- yes folks Hezbollah territory- but stopped on the way at the Ksara vineyard. After telling our driver it would be an hour we rolled out giggling 3 hours later. How were we supposed to know that there was a video, a tour, mega wine tasting (not like the piddly amount you normally get) and then it would have been rude if we didn't take some time to drink a few bottles in their nice house thing. In Oz its just a case of rocking up to the tasting with your 'i know what i'm doing and i intend to buy' face on, grab as much tasters as you can get and then sneak out at the first chance their attention leaves you.
so it was back into the car and on to Baalbek which is right in hezbollah head quarters but has some gorgeous ancient ruins/temples. we got to have a wander around, literally on them, posing for piccies and just plain being stupid. on the way out we grabbed a few beers and jumped into the car. now it turns out that the town is supposed to be completely dry (i guess that's the hezbo influence) so our driver had a panic attack about the beers. i guess it makes sense why we got the beer out of a locked fridge. oh well, we just scootched down in the car and drank our beer camando style (no not without pants).
it tuns out that Bekaa valley is most famous for dope which is weird considering the freak out about the beer but to be honest- didn't really see any evidence of it at all.
We started with an awesome trip in to the Bekaa Valley- yes folks Hezbollah territory- but stopped on the way at the Ksara vineyard. After telling our driver it would be an hour we rolled out giggling 3 hours later. How were we supposed to know that there was a video, a tour, mega wine tasting (not like the piddly amount you normally get) and then it would have been rude if we didn't take some time to drink a few bottles in their nice house thing. In Oz its just a case of rocking up to the tasting with your 'i know what i'm doing and i intend to buy' face on, grab as much tasters as you can get and then sneak out at the first chance their attention leaves you.
so it was back into the car and on to Baalbek which is right in hezbollah head quarters but has some gorgeous ancient ruins/temples. we got to have a wander around, literally on them, posing for piccies and just plain being stupid. on the way out we grabbed a few beers and jumped into the car. now it turns out that the town is supposed to be completely dry (i guess that's the hezbo influence) so our driver had a panic attack about the beers. i guess it makes sense why we got the beer out of a locked fridge. oh well, we just scootched down in the car and drank our beer camando style (no not without pants).
it tuns out that Bekaa valley is most famous for dope which is weird considering the freak out about the beer but to be honest- didn't really see any evidence of it at all.
Let's get Lebanon Lebanon, I wanna get Lebanoooon
"Derelict"- Mugatu, Zoolander
Beirut is the definitly the Derelict range of all the cities I have been to- but the most interesting. I would porobably even vote it up there as one of the favourites. Its absolutely one of those place where you have look beyond- at first glance its just war torn and fallign apart, but when you look carefully you see how stunning it was and still is.
One of the things I have noticed when travelling around is that the cultures that annoy you or you find funny at home aren't the same when you get to their country. Its like the further away from the mothership they are the worse they are. Not the Lebanese, they still keep that real wog boy element about them.
Bearing in mind Lebanon's history, the first thing you are going ot notice is the military presence. Not being used to that or expecting it (yes we are that ignorant) it was a bit of a novelty, expecially when we discovered you're not suppoed to take pictures of any of the soliders or check point. Naturally that was the start of a great new game for us.... military camera spotto. There is nothing funnier than trying to watch western girls miming that they are taking pics of the building next to the military and that their cameras have wide angled lenses (try it, it too is a fun game, especially after booze).
Beirut is the definitly the Derelict range of all the cities I have been to- but the most interesting. I would porobably even vote it up there as one of the favourites. Its absolutely one of those place where you have look beyond- at first glance its just war torn and fallign apart, but when you look carefully you see how stunning it was and still is.
One of the things I have noticed when travelling around is that the cultures that annoy you or you find funny at home aren't the same when you get to their country. Its like the further away from the mothership they are the worse they are. Not the Lebanese, they still keep that real wog boy element about them.
Bearing in mind Lebanon's history, the first thing you are going ot notice is the military presence. Not being used to that or expecting it (yes we are that ignorant) it was a bit of a novelty, expecially when we discovered you're not suppoed to take pictures of any of the soliders or check point. Naturally that was the start of a great new game for us.... military camera spotto. There is nothing funnier than trying to watch western girls miming that they are taking pics of the building next to the military and that their cameras have wide angled lenses (try it, it too is a fun game, especially after booze).
IoW IoW IoW IoW
I lots my festival V at the Isle of Wight - no, I can't believe it took that long but really we all know I'm not a fan of crowds. We all snuck off early from work and did the trip down to the ferry. Like all road trips it started with me in a panic attack about being late & Al all flustered cause he didn' have his crap ready and finished with booze.
We made it to the campsite and after setting up 3 tents in the wind I had a stop and left the others. Needless to say it was a crappy night but it was made even crapper by waking up to a completely flooded tent and all the clothes soaked. Naturally in the morning it was temper tantrums from me with a great big "I'm checking into a spa!"
After going into Cowe and getting a new tent, dry underwear and a dry top the sun came out and the whole weekend changed.
Booze, booze & booze, I think that is an apat description of the Friday... not so much on the Saturday but more so on the Sunday-- yes it seems we are getting a little old to do 3 heavy days in a row.
Highlights of the weeekend:
* Al trying to convince us that he was so drunk because of the drinking games he was playing with the 21month old child in the tent next door
* The mega sing along to Crowdede House- except for the pimply backed cock who seemed to be hearing a completely different set in his head if his dancing was anything to go by.
* Trying to convince 'naughty Vicky' to come out to play
* The Twister ride after too many gin & sprites with Ems where we just cacked ourselves laughing the whole time
* Mails blaming the wind for her fallign over drunk onto the tent and breaking it- made even funnier by me trying to break it on purpose the next day to chuck it in the bin, and not being able to
* Turning into a teenie bopper and screaming PINK PIIIIIIIINK PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINK- OH MY GOD SHE IS AMAZING to anyone who even came within 2metres.
To be hinest i'm pretty sure i could sit here all after noon doing the highlights real but the absolute best thing ever.........
USing a real toilet with real toilet paper and real water and soap when we left
We made it to the campsite and after setting up 3 tents in the wind I had a stop and left the others. Needless to say it was a crappy night but it was made even crapper by waking up to a completely flooded tent and all the clothes soaked. Naturally in the morning it was temper tantrums from me with a great big "I'm checking into a spa!"
After going into Cowe and getting a new tent, dry underwear and a dry top the sun came out and the whole weekend changed.
Booze, booze & booze, I think that is an apat description of the Friday... not so much on the Saturday but more so on the Sunday-- yes it seems we are getting a little old to do 3 heavy days in a row.
Highlights of the weeekend:
* Al trying to convince us that he was so drunk because of the drinking games he was playing with the 21month old child in the tent next door
* The mega sing along to Crowdede House- except for the pimply backed cock who seemed to be hearing a completely different set in his head if his dancing was anything to go by.
* Trying to convince 'naughty Vicky' to come out to play
* The Twister ride after too many gin & sprites with Ems where we just cacked ourselves laughing the whole time
* Mails blaming the wind for her fallign over drunk onto the tent and breaking it- made even funnier by me trying to break it on purpose the next day to chuck it in the bin, and not being able to
* Turning into a teenie bopper and screaming PINK PIIIIIIIINK PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINK- OH MY GOD SHE IS AMAZING to anyone who even came within 2metres.
To be hinest i'm pretty sure i could sit here all after noon doing the highlights real but the absolute best thing ever.........
USing a real toilet with real toilet paper and real water and soap when we left
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