JORDAN

Do you want to come to a party in the middle of the desert? That’s the phrase my friend Mirna from Jordan used to invite me to visit her. And she wasn’t kidding. Cause even though she might have been referring to an actual rave party that has been taking place for the last 3 years in the heart of Wadi Rum desert, but the whole 15 days I spent in this AMAZING country were nothing less than a continuous party. I’ll try not to bore you with touristy information, but rather to introduce you to MY Jordan, as I felt it in my skin for a few days. Always keep in mind that what really matters in a journey, is the attitude one embarks with. If you are open (within safety and logical boundaries) to try everything at least once, then you are certainly going to have a great time, especially in a country like Jordan. The first shock (from the many that followed) hits you when you are still on the plane. When the pilot said that in 3 minutes we would be landing, I looked outside my window and saw NOTHING but desert. “Am I nuts? Where am I going?” I thought and tightened my belt even harder. Shock No.2: You get to the airport and you realize that you can’t even read the signs (Thank God for English translation). This country however as well as it’s people, as in most Arabic countries, have a magical way of carrying you with them, show you their secrets and making you feel like you’ve been living there for your entire life. Everyone has always something to tell you, to give you or to treat you to, and very rarely you see people frown, even if some of them leave in circumstances that by most Europeans would be considered less than tolerable. In Jordan EVERYBODY can find an ideal destination, regardless of interests, age or money. No matter how many images I can describe for this trip, it seems they are too few. Anything I might have imagined, doesn’t do justice to the real thing. If you fancy living a 1000 + 1 nights, being introduced to ancient cultures, wonder around the red desert (by 4X4 or camels), sleep under a million stars, eat with Bedouins and get to know their lives through spending time with
Tresury from the sigthem, then Jordan is most definitely inviting you to do it. If you are athletic and adventurous again the country has a lot to offer like trekking, hiking and mountain biking in places that will remind you of a movie set, snorkeling, diving and other sea sports in the enchanting waters of the Aqaba Golf. If on the other hand you belong to the category of people to whom vacations = relaxation, then all your dreams are about to come true. All you have to do is spend a few days in one of the amazing Dead Sea spas in order to go home as a reborn person. Feel the rejuvenating minerals in your skin, cover yourself in mud and unwind reading your newspaper even in the water, as it is impossible to sink. If till now you believed that Middle Eastern countries couldn’t keep up with or match the modern way of entertainment, then think again! Apart from the well-known belly dancing and folk music, Jordan offers a very well informed clubbing scene. Especially if you are a fan of dance music, then try to coincide your trip with the “DISTANT HEAT -VOYAGE INTO THE RUM” festival (www.distantheat.com), a
COLUMNS IN JERASHparty that you will remember for life. What I’ll be taking with me are the short discussions I had with the locals, that made me feel as If the saw straight into my soul. People I’ve never met before, told me things that scared me as if they knew me since I was a child. Maybe their pure hearts or the “lack” of civilization as most “westerners” see it, gives them the ability to be so incredibly insightful, so they can interpret with amazing accuracy -and no trace of judgment- your every word or action. May you all have made or make one day, exactly what the word says…such a JOURNEY

DEADSEA

DEAD SEA: In the beginning of my second week of stay in Jordan, I was beginning to feel that my energy is running short, since we were spending the whole day walking under the relentless sun around the country and ruins, while at night we were enjoying the hidden Jordanian nightlife! That is why the Musharbush sisters (Mirna & Dima) decided to spoil me with a daily trip for relaxation and endless sunbathing. Dead sea rests at 410 meters below the sea level and it is one of the most spectacular destinations anyone can visit. It is an ideal resting place where one can relax in the most organized and economical spa of the big hotels, or simply to enjoy splashing around in the dead sea -a truly unforgettable experience as we are talking about a huge salty lake (the concentration of salt here is 10 times more than any other sea in the word), in which it is simply IMPOSSIBLE to drawn. When the time came to enter the water, the girls took their camera and started filming, so they could capture the first reactions of an amateur… They had already warned me not to be too hasty jumping in and thank God I followed their advice. Regardless, nothing can prepare you for the sensation that follows. You feel a burn EVERYWHERE and the salt goes into pores of your body you never knew existed. One only has to get in, give a push and allow this lake of dense muddy, warm, oily water to take you away. You feel as if you have no weight and control over your body, since the only thing you can do is float! AMAZING. It’s no surprise that in most Dead Sea photos one comes across, the most common sight is people reading their newspaper while care freely they float away. It’s like you lay down on a vast sea mattress. CAUTION: Whatever you do, DO NOT sprinkle your eyes or mouth, as you will rapidly destroy your whole day from the unbelievable burning sensation and the horrible taste!!! When you eventually do get out, you have a newly and improved body, softer than ever before. It’s softness is so unbelievable that surely you’ll find yourself running your hand over it many times in order to grasp it’s new texture. When you get at the beach, just let one of the people
pool gamesof the staff to cover you with the beneficial mud. It came as a great surprise to discover through their questions that there was a great variety in mud. Tanning mud, moisturizing mud, soft skin mud, exfoliating mud etc. As it goes you have to stay for a while like a raisin in the sun, so that the mud dries and when that’s done take a last cleansing dip in the sea. The best and purest body peeling ever, comes from collaboration of salt with the dried mud. VELVET!!! In the nearby hotels of the area one can also enjoy the fully equipped spa, with all it’s essentials, like Jacuzzi, sauna, massage, Turkish Hamam etc. Also worth a visit in the area is Lot’s Cave, so you can check out the place where his wife, according to the legends turned into a column of salt! Now if you belong to the category of people who like to combine the sea with more intense activities, then the golf of Aqaba, has a lot to offer. Surrounded by colorful mountains, cosmopolitan Aqaba, is the only port of Jordan and poses as the underwater version of perfection, where a mask, snorkel and sun
Sunsetblock cream are the only things with real utility. Crystal in sight and sensation clean waters, makes you feel pleasantly lost in their embrace, which with the temperature that rises especially during the summer months, give great relief and pleasure. Sea sport lovers and especially scuba divers from all over the globe flock there, as the organization is impeccable and makes everything seem so easy even if you are not initiated to these activities before your visit. The red sea hides in it’ s bed a unique ecosystem with over 100 different types of corals and countless species of fish, some of which you cannot find anywhere else in the world. Apart from scuba diving and snorkeling you can also do windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing, fishing, jet ski etc. Also there are many organized tours with small boats that have a glass floor, a perfect option for those who want to see, but are hesitant about getting wet. For sure, even if you are a bit interested in diving, the first words that are going to come out of your mouth after such a tour will be “where do I sign in?” It’s worth to find some time to visit the
Sunset1Marine Sciences Centre, one of the most impressive aquariums in the world, in which one may see rare species of fish and corals not exclusively from the Dead sea, but from all over the planet. One of the greatest advantages of the area is that the temperature is on summer levels for 9 months per year and it is impressive that even when Jordan’s capital city has 8-10 degrees of Celsius, Aqaba can take pride for it’s 25-27!!!!

CARDIFF

Cardiff---The liveliest city of Britain After 4 ½ years, I decided in Easter time to give in the withdrawal syndrome and visit Britain, the country where as a student I had one of the best years of my life. Avoiding all the places I’ve lived at, as I felt nostalgia is not suitable for Springtime, I decided to visit a dear friend in Reading and make that my base. Taking advantage of the fact that he wasn’t working in Easter, we decided to take small trips to places I’ve always wanted but never quite got around to visit. And since both of us love road trips, we thought Wales is a nice and close enough destination. So we unfolded our maps and headed to Wales. Crossing over the spectacular bridge that connects England to Wales, the first thing that caught my eye was the bilingual signs. Croeso i Gaerdydd, Prifddinas Cymru - Welcome to Cardiff, Capital of Wales Cardiff, lies at the edge of river Taph and is the biggest city and capital of Wales. It’s a very lively, commercial, cosmopolitan and nautical city in which the fact that is also a university city, combined with the amazing landscape, gives
Windsurfing In Cardiffit a rhythm, completely different from any other British city I’ve visited. Even I who love Britain realize that it can be a bit stiff, at least for the Mediterranean temperament. Wales however and particularly Cardiff, wins you over at first glance. During the Victorian times, it was one of the greatest centers of coal extraction in the world. Because of that and the fact that it is also a port, Cardiff gained great commercial importance. The fact that it hosts one of the most numerous universities in Britain, gives the city a warm, and full of energy atmosphere. Also it is considered one of the most popular touristic destinations and is well known for athletic and artistic inheritance and holds great nautical tradition. It is a city full of surprises, where all people of all ages and interests, can find something to do. When one reaches the city the very first thing one should do is visit the coastal visitor information center - The Tube. The building alone is a sight worth seeing and apart from offering any information one may need (accommodation, sightseeing, etc) it also offers a panoramic view of Cardiff Bay. In a few minutes we
Light shiphad a handful of prospectuses and fliers of everything there is to do and see in Cardiff and also we had booked a room in a central, very nice and clean BUDGET B&B, with spectacular views over the city. The atmosphere was very friendly and the quality of customer service higher than anyone would expect and the best part of all ----for FREE. After we made sure we had a place to sleep, we headed out in the sunny bay for our first scroll. The people there were very friendly, very hospitable and particularly proud for their beautiful and very VERY clean city. The money that have been invested here have made Cardiff a well established athletic center, where European and universal sailing and other sea sport competitions take place. Our first stop was the very impressive building of the Welsh Parliament. Located in the center of the bay, this wooden built construction catches your eye and draws your curiosity, mainly because of its unique architecture. One can enter it’s public places and drink a coffee or tea in the coffee house from where due to its glass windows, one has an amazing view of the bay. The most intriguing
Belltop of Cardiff Cathedralpart of the construction is a mushroom formation in the center, that allows for a natural circulation and lighting. Moving on a few meters (or feet away) we saw the Pierhead building, whose difference in building materials (red bricks), makes it very impressive and perfectly complementary to the puzzle of sightseeing-buildings of the Bay. Like a Greek cosmopolitan island, around the bay one can find dozens of small coffee-shops, bars, pubs and restaurants for every taste and pocket, conveniently placed so they all enjoy a fantastic panoramic view. Picturesque ice cream selling cars, seem as if they are taken out of another epoch and their inviting music resembles children’s songs. Placed at different parts of the city one can see a lot of street art, witch bear witness to the fact that the artistic inspiration and expression are not only a way of life, but also a natural need in Cardiff. After running around all day in the sunshine, on our way back at the hotel, we had to put up a fight in order not to indulge in the nightlife the city was screaming it has. Next morning we woke up early for the light that was coming in
Cardiff Baythe room, and as we looked outside from the 8th floor of “The big Sleep Hotel”, we got a better appreciation of how well built this city is. The port with the graphic walks, the business center, the millennium Stadium and finally the Castle, standing out as it is built on a hill in the center of the city. As most castles I’ve visited in UK (and I have visited quite a lot) this too is very well preserved, making it a tourist attraction. Astrological and biblical themes make up its interior and that’s what makes it unique. The smoking room is located at the Clock Tower and is themed by time and the four seasons. The Arabic room is also very interesting as it is decorated by gold, sandalwood and parrots, which apparently were the favorite animal of the architect (Burge). Wallpapers in the childrens quarters are taken out of fairytales and huge marble fireplaces decorate most of the bedrooms. Very distinctive are the stone made animals that seem like they are escaping the castle walls. A walk around the Cardiff flee market closes this short trip in the best possible way. A small paradise for book, antiquity and
Cardiff Bay1record collectors and also the best place to buy small gifts and souvenirs. Welsh food, fresh fish, meat and vegetables can be found in great variety. For more information please visit : http://www.visitcardiff.com.

SINTRA

SINTRA-UNESCO'S SECRET GARDEN I've always wanted to go to Portugal...I don't know why, but something always drew me to this country. Maybe it's because of it's heritage and history, of all the travellers that have gone through it, maybe it's the combination and just perfect mixture or cultures and races, maybe all of the above, anyway I always knew I'll find in Lisbon a home away from home. The first thing that gained my attention was similarity. Of all the places I've been to and all the people I met, the Portuguese are the most similar and compatible to Greeks. Easygoing, friendly, very hospitable, passionate, crazy, good food lovers with a great appreciation for life and its small pleasures, the Portuguese are simply so easy to absolutely love. Even if you don't speak the language, Portugal is one the most tourist-friendly countries. I had the privilege to be one of those tourists for 10 days in Lisbon and its suburbs and loved every moment of it and every part of the city life; however the day we spent in SINTRA was the most memorable of all. SINTRA is a fairytale town with mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant
IN THE AQUARIUMvillas. It was summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and attracted a number of wealthy aristocrats who built huge mansions and villas. It is indeed an extraordinary place with a surreal mixture of history and fantasy, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its fairytale palaces, incredible vistas, and notable museum collections make it a destination you should make the effort to see, especially if you visit Lisbon. The train ride takes about 40 minutes from Entre Campos or Areeiro stations in the centre of Lisbon. In the main square is the National Palace, dating from the 14th century. Its two gigantic conical chimneys are the town's most recognizable landmarks, and they look like they have been taken out a children fairytale book. All the buildings have a very strong Gothic style. Although SINTRA is an easy daytrip from Lisbon, it is a good idea to stay overnight to allow more time to see all the sights and to experience its even more magical atmosphere at night. There are many castles one can visit, but if you have only a day or very limited time, in my opinion it's best to visit just one and enjoy it, rather
Pena Palacethat rushing from one castle to the next. We chose the most famous building in SINTRA - Pena Palace. When we got out of the train, we were so impressed by the scenery that we decided to walk all the way to the palace. This is something you DON'T want to do. Even though we greatly enjoyed walking for about 2 hours uphill in a forest that reminded me of the scenery in Lord of the rings, we had to hitchhike the rest of the way as it was very tiring and by the time we would reach the palace it would probably be very late to see it and we would be exhausted. The smartest was to go around is a day bus that takes you up to the castles and back down to the centre of the village. Our walking adventure ended up costing us the opportunity of getting to the interior, which is said to be fantastic. Built in the 1840s, it is one of Europe's most fantastic palaces. Surrounding the palace is the mystical Pena Park, filled with a variety of trees and exotic plants from the former colonies of the Portuguese empire, ponds, fountains, and
Pena Palace 1black swans. At the highest point is a statue of King Ferdinand looking towards his palace, and a viewpoint called "Cruz Alta" overlooking Pena Palace and surroundings. One of the best views can be had from the Queens' Throne, set among gigantic mountain formations, where you can take in the palace & thousands of dark green tree tops. The area below the palace is also worth exploring, where there are a series of linked ponds which have black swans & ducks. When you return to the centre, there are many museums one can visit and maybe the most unique of all (if you are into these kind of things or you are traveling with children) is the Toy Museum. It hosts an extraordinary collection of more than 20,000 items including 3000-year old Egyptian toys, trains from the 1930s, Nazi toy soldiers made in Germany during World War II, birthday and Christmas gifts given to royal children, and some of the first ever toy cars. Many natural fountains can also be found in the city that have been given striking decorations and make them perfect background for romantic photographs. It's a visit you certainly have to make should your road brings
Pena Palace 2you to Lisbon.