Blog

Finally arrived Frankfurt on the backpack. The prior destinations were all using a day pack + camera bag. Having everything in one huge backpack is definitely too heavy. I know the camera gears weights 10kg alone. With only 5 days of clothing, not sure what I can cut. Something to think about for now. Frankfurt is shut down pretty much by the Blockupy Protest. Everything was closed as if it's a holiday. Apparently, they are only allow to protest on Saturdays. If the protest continues, there isn't much to do here.


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Everyday's essential, is redefined by your experience. As T. E. LAWRENCE had fallen in love with this vast, red, awery peaceful and tranquil valley, it humble oneself. Nothing clears the mind.  The red hues of Rum or "reach for the sky" glows and glimmers under the Arabian sun. The jagged mountains are a mountaineer dream playground. Exploring the siq and canvases, you are rewarded with neolithic craving dating back 6000BC.   Not only admiring the ancient rock inscription made by nabataean and thamudic people there are rock bridge to scale. These fascinating formation were formed...


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Day 6 and 7th has been the highlight of the trip. If you are thinking of heading to Petra, I would highly recommend a tour guide, spending a day and a half there. Petra is so huge, hard to see everything in a day. With Niles as our tour guide, he was able to perfectly time the moment to see the Monastery, the Treasury, and walk the hidden paths like the locals. Niles used to live in the caves of Petra, so he knows the area well. He introduced us to so many Bedouin, including his brother that is one of the few that still lives in the cave today. Niles brought us to a local view of the Treasury,...


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We headed to Umm Rasas and Crusade castle shortly after lunch. We saw some of the most amazing mosaic work that dates back 1500 years ago. At Umm Rasas, it just recently became a world heritage site, so you are still able to freely roam on the ruins without much restrictions. . After a nice simple tourist priced dinner ($30) , we started heading to our final destination Petra. Arriving Petra was the hardest part of the trip so far. We didn't make it to the hotel until late at night. If my math is correct, I haven't seen a bed for 34 hours straight. With sleep deprivation, Google map epic...


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We arrived Amman at 2:30 AM local time. It has been an adventure already. Started with the rental car, was given a Toyota Yaris that should be reliable. If you have ever driven in Mexico, you will find plenty of speed bumps along highway. Usually you won't see them in time,  end up flying over them. As we arrived late, unfamiliar with the Jordanian rules of the road, we ended flying through a huge speed bump! The landing must be rough, as the driver A-pillar panel fell off... LoL After exchanging the car,  with Google map's help, we started off to our 1st destination,  Mount Nebo. Mount...


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