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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Jan 05, 2008 07:00 PM Long like a maccaroooooni...
For me the best solution to fly to Indonesia and to return from the Philippines was internet ticket from Qatar Airways...
There is express train from Rome main station to Fumicino airport - owe-way cost already 11 euro. It departs 22 and 52 min after hour. 31 min ride. No bus competitors...
Allow a lot time for check- in in Fumicino. When I arrived the check-in line was as long as maccaroooni. 2 hours advance was not enough to go to the gate... Fortunatele the flight was 2 hours delayed...
Another luck: I had to wait 4 hours in Doha -Qatar for the connection. Due to new arrival time this waiting was reduced to 1 hour... There is free internet stand on the 1st floor of Doha transit hall - but the time of usage is limited to 10 min - just enough to send an e-mail home...
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Jan 04, 2008 07:00 PM Step one: rain in Rome...
There is low-cost airline Centralwings flying directly from Gdansk to Rome Ciampino airport. It was minus 13 deg last night in Gdansk, but in Rome it was heavy rain and plus 15...
From Ciampino airport to the main station Termini in the centre there is a choice of buses. "Terravision" advertized in the net charge 8 euro one way, but the is also another Shuttle-Bus for just 5 euro. Buy your ticket om the bus. There are bus timetables in the bagagge hall. And you have also option to go for 1 euro to the nearest subway station.
It takes almost an hour to get to the town by bus through the crowded, narrow streets. Rain. I decided to stay in the Freedom Traveller Hostel - 300 m from the station. They charge 20 euro but the breakfast is included and in the winter at 6 pm in the restaurant next door they serve to the guests free pasta and a glas of wine. Tomorrow morning a have a time for the little walk around central Rome - after 35 years...
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Jan 03, 2008 07:00 PM New voyage starts tomorrow!...
I set out on a new, grand voyage - see the map... The route goes through the small islands of the Indonesia and the Philippines. I visited already both of those countries years ago. But at that time limited time did gave me a chance to see main, big islands. It is time now to explore the small ones, rarely visited and prettier, I suppose. It wont be easy voyage. From distant Europe it is not possible to fix erratic ferry and air timetables. For many segments I have the info that there is something sailing or flying fortnightly or weekly. But when exactly - I will know on the site. For that reason maybe I will be forced to reduce my complex route. Please keep your fingers crossed!
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Dec 13, 2007 07:00 PM End of the journey to Arabia...
International airport in Amman is located 30 km out of the city in the desert... It is 3 km from Desert Highway Amman-Aqaba. You can walk this 3 km - but not in the middle of the night - my flight was departing at 3 am.
Mr Jaber from my budget Sun Rise Hotel arranged private car to take me to the airport - it cost me 15 USD after bargaining... The flight was on time... Then I had 3 hours waiting for the connection in Frankfurt airport - good time to read for free "Lonely Planet" guidebooks in the bookshop - they have a lot of them - and I already think about my next voyages...
It was minus 1 deg and dark when I landed in Gdansk... Cold and depressing after all those days in the sun and under the blue sky... But it is good to be home for Christmas...
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Dec 12, 2007 07:00 PM Amman - the capital of Jordan
Public transport is inexpensive in Jordan - you will pay 4 JOD to get from Aqaba to Amman or 3 JOD for the ride from Petra to the capital. Those traveling in group could consider car rental (call Jamal Suradi 079 5597149 for car with the driver).
Amman is located on the hills. In Greco-Roman times, Amman was known as Philadelphia. Huge Roman Theatre is the main tourist attraction of the city. I was wandering also around colorful bazaar streets nearby... There are traditional coffee shops and tiny artisans' workshops to visit...
I stay in Sun Rise Hotel at Abdali Bus Stop on King Hussein Street. The manager - Mr Jaber Hamdan is very helpful - he can organize also inexpensive tours around Jordan. You can negociate the price for the room (from 10 JOD - the capital costs more!). Evenings are cold... It is already 13th of December - time to come back home...
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Dec 11, 2007 07:00 PM Petra - the most expensive place to visit?
It is the must if you are in Jordan. It is unique stone town - the capital of the Nabataeans. I saw Petra for the first time some 20 years ago. But the place is such unusual that I decided to visit it again...
I left my backpack in nearby Wadi Musa (Orient Gate Hotel is worth to recommend - it is just 100 m from the bus stop and they charge 8 JOD per room with bath).
Then there is 20 min walk to the Petra gate... They charge now hefty 21 dinnars entry fee... No discounts, no mercy... Do you know other such expensive place to visit in the world?...
I spent 8 hours walking through the rocks and sand and taking pictures of the ancient tombs and rose mountains. With some effort, starting early in the morning you can cover all main places in one day. The farthest temple - "The monastery" has the best light in the late afternoon... Great day!
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Dec 10, 2007 07:00 PM Wadi Rum - under the stars of the desert
I have been to Jordan before but it is my first visit to legendary Wadi Rum - place of haunting moonscapes, with hues of red and brown that change all day, twisted sandstone cliffs in a sea of fine sand. Much of "Lawrence of Arabia" was filmed here... Wadi Rum is located one hour drive from Aqaba. At the entry you have to pay 2 JOD entry fee.
The place is beautiful but commercialized. They charge 22-24 JOD per overnight in the Beduin tent and two meals... If you want to visit most picturesque places by 4WD vehicle it will cost you extra 65 JOD per car...
I was walking 4 hours by foot enjoying the great scenery... Then I stay in the tent at Beit Ali Camp - some 3 km before Visitor Centre (take care - they charge extra for each cup of the tea!). Night was very cold but what a stars in the sky!
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Dec 09, 2007 07:00 PM In the green Aqaba - Jordan
Port in Aqaba is located some 5 km south of the city centre - if you are coming by ferry you have to take a taxi. They charge 2 dinars per cab from locals so you should not pay more then 3. Your dollar is worth here only 0,70 dinar.
I stay in the old Petra Hotel close to the bazaar. (There is also new, luxury hotel of the same name). In the old one they charge 5 JOD per room with shared bath and I have great view of the Bay of Aqaba.
First impression from Jordan: it is more expensive then Egypt. So if you like the beaches it is better to stay on Egyptian coast of Sinai. In Aqaba city there is not mouch to see except the little Turkish fort... But the city is green and pleasant... They charge 1,50 dinar for one hour of slow internet.
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Dec 08, 2007 07:00 PM How slow is fast ferry to Aqaba...
If you want to cross Aqaba Bay by ferry you must be very patient. There are like 3 ferries per day: Two slow and one fast. Fast ferry is not so crowded and it costs 70 USD plus 50 pounds departure tax. Slow ferry is only 10 USD cheaper.
Go right along the port fence from the main gate - there is AB Maritime building to buy your ticket. Wait in the line - take care if you will convert the money - they are not honest... Wait 10 min or so for your passport and ticket.
Then you can go to the main port gate, go through the security... Than you have to find immigration and exit card in the big, dusty hall. Get you exit stamp and wait... Everything is pretty disorganized, no information...
The fast ferry shoild depart at 3 pm. We departed an 4.30...
1,5 hour sail... I am in Aqaba - in Jordan!
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Dec 07, 2007 07:00 PM Colored Canyon on your own...
I decided to visit the most interesting Sinai's canyon on my own... They requested 250 pounds for the day tour by 4WD car... From Nuweiba I went to the chackpoint on Cairo road. The policeman were surprised, but they put me on the truck. After some 8 km you must get off in the middle of nowhere - there is only little police post on the gravel road.
From this place it is 12 km to the canyon by 4WD bumpy road. I was waiting there more then 2 hours - the police do not allow you to walk... In the midday there were no cars going up the canyon. Policeman were very nice to me: they offered me a tea and chobz (local flat bread). I was already desperate when two jeeps turned up into the gravel road. They took me into the canyon!
The view from the rim is nice, but then you are walking down by narrow path, the main attraction are the gaps - tiny corridors in the 60-m high rocks. Be prepared for some exercises! We returned at dusk... Great tour - just for free!
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