|
|
| While I was
working with Arkitek Urbanisma, I become close to Muzammil, my junior colleague
from Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM). He went to further his study in Oxford
Brooks University in UK. When he was travelling in Europe, he always sends
me postcards from different destinations. He never forgets to mention that
he wishes that I were there with him to share the experience that he had
during all his travelling.
While I was working, before I continue my study, I had saved some money. I bought a motorbike (Honda EX-5), and planned to buy a new computer. I had already owned an ancient model, 286 DX or something, with black and white screen, which hardly suitable for CAD software. On the other hand, my brother Rosdan had already bought one computer. Since he is staying in Taman Tun, which is only 30 minutes' drive (on my new motorbike) from my house in Shah Alam, it was really convenience for me to use the computer. So I used the money that I saved to finance my travel. |
| I don't really
quite remember when was I actually decided to really pursue the idea of
going to Europe. I guessed it just pops out during one of my conversation
with Majid, my ex MRSM friend who was working with a travel agency. He
was telling me about a recent trip that he went to while working as a tour
organizer for a group of tourist to Paris and London. Immediately I asked
him if it's possible for him to find me a reasonable (means affordable!)
arrangement for my flight to London. Although he normally did not do that
kind of thing, he says he'll try to check it out for me.
A few days latter I called him and he inform me about his findings. He recommended me to take the Royal Jordanian Airline. Besides the fare being reasonable (more so with his help), I was also told that I don't have to worry about the food since they serve 'halal' food. The only problem is that I had to transit in Amman for about 8 hours on the way to London and 6 hours on the way back. I told him that I would like to visit Amman as well. He recommended to me to take the 3 days Royal Jordanian Tour package that will include accommodation, food and tour in Jordan. And a few days latter, I was on my way! |
| On the day of departure, there were many people at the airport (I felt as if I was going to Mecca!). Besides my family, there were also my friends Farid, Nazeri and Shukri. Farid want me to send something to his fiancé Mastura who is also a student in Oxford. My flight was at 1.00am. After saying goodbye to everybody, I checked into the airport about 2 hours before departure. |
| This was my second time travelling on an aeroplane and the first time alone. While waiting to board the plane, I kept myself busy by reading the brochure provided by the airline that I collected at the airline office in the afternoon. I was really exited of going to Petra (see photo), although I only knew a little about this place. The site was made famous by the movie `Indiana Jones and The Last Crusades'. I'm sure Steven Speilberg chooses this place for the site of his movie for a reason. |
 |
Royal Jordanian
Airline is very strict with its security procedure. Even after we went
through normal security check by the airport personnel, we had to go through
another check by Jordanian's official before boarding the plane right at
the doorstep. Although it causes a lot of inconvenience, I feel that it
was necessary to avoid any unwanted incident to happen on board, especially
since Subang had a very questionable security history. Well, with the frequent
'fire broke out,' trespassers, the infamous theft of Bank Negara gold bullion
and all that.
I was seated at a window seat. The flight was not crowded and there was ample space for some passengers to stretch themselves into a comfortable sleep. Nobody was seating beside me and I didn't see anybody friendly enough to start a conversation. I do noticed two tired looking Japanese girls in their early twenties seating in front of me. There was also a man spotting a Bob Marley look trying to strike a conversation with the Japanese girls. They seem to have met before although the girls seem to have big problem with their English. I found out latter that the girls names are Michiko (above) and Tomoko. We become travel mate and send postcards to each other when we went on our separate ways. |
| Dinner was delicious and the in-flight movie was entertaining. It was 'Intersection' starring Richard Gere as an architect and Sharon Stone as his wife. The rest of the night I continue reading the brochure and try to read the in-flight magazine. The selection of songs available on the radio was not attractive to my ear, so I listen to the Quran recital on one of the channel before drifting to sleep. I woke up several times during the night before the flight attendance announced for breakfast to be served. I do not really know what time we landed at Queen Alia International Airport. |
 |
I don't know
what to expect when I stepped out of the plane. The first thing that I
noticed was the temperature. It was cold. Very cold morning! The airport
was not well lit. At least not as bright as Subang Airport. There were
no shops in sight, and not many people around except the one that was coming
out from the flight I'm on. I don't know which direction to follow since
I don't understand the signboards. One direction says 'Transit' and the
other 'Visa.' I saw many Malaysians headings for the 'Visa' counter, so
I follow suit. I had light conversation with some of them and learned that
they were studying in Jordan. I try to read the signboard to find out how
much I had to pay for my visa. They had different rate for citizen of different
country. It was hopeless. So I just went to the money changer counter and
change US$20. To my surprise, I only received less then 20 Jordan Dinner.
Latter I was to find out that Jordan currencies are almost equivalent to
British Pound.
We (John, Michiko, Tomoko and me) become quite close, considering none of us know each other prior to the journey. Even Ahmet the taxi driver also become our friend. Although things become quite complicated sometimes, because only John and myself can speak English properly. Sign language rule the day! |
 |
After a long
wait (seems like forever), finally it was my turn at the counter. Luckily
the officer spoke English. He made it clear to me that I was at the wrong
counter and told me to go to the 'transit' counter because I was only on
a 'less than 4 days' transit in Amman so I don't need a visa. He was kind
enough to ask one of the other officers to show me the direction. This
officer was also showing a group of confuse Indonesian the way to the transit
counter. We had to cross over to the other side of the airport. But when
we arrive at the counter nobody was there. I had to look and asked around
but nobody seems to know the right direction to go. I went back to the
first counter and the officer insists that I went back to the second counter.
At this moment I saw that the two Japanese girls were also having problem.
They when to the 'transit' counter but was told that they need a visa for
their stay in Jordan. So the officer at the transit counter was showing
them the 'visa counter'. So I follow the officer back to the transit counter
and (finally) collected my boarding pass for my flight to London.
(if you were confused reading this, you can imagine how I feel at that
time!) I had never seen a desert before. So when the taxi stop for fuel, I ask the girls who was themselves busy snapping photographs, to take my photo. And I never ride on a horse too. However look at me! Don't I look like a desert warrior or something. Complete with the headgear and all. |
 |
The waiting
area of the arrival hall was almost deserted when I come out of the airport.
Most of the passenger on transit had already left with the bus. There was
a Caucasian gentleman seated at one of the seat. We get to know each other
and I found out that he is from Canada, and was teaching in one of the
private college in Kuala Lumpur. He was on his way back after his contract
with the college in Kuala Lumpur expires. He took the opportunity to visit
his daughter in London and on the way took the transit in Jordan also.
He planned to go scuba diving in Aqaba coast in the Red Sea.
The shuttle bus arrives 20 minutes latter. It took another 20 minutes before we reach our Hotel – Alia Hotel. The hotel is situated in the middle of the desert. I was given a room on the third floor. I was met with the tour agent at the lobby and passed him the envelope that was given to me by the agent in Malaysia. He informs me that there will be some changes on the tour itinerary. We will be going to Petra on the first day instead of the second day. I was told to be at the reception area at 10.00am. After freashing up, I went down for my breakfast and proceed to wait at the lobby. I found out latter that there will only be four of us going to Petra that day. John, the two Japanese girls and myself. We were all put in a taxi and off we go crossing Jordanian desert. It was a unique experience for me. We passed through miles and miles of arid land. There was hardly any tree either planted or grows naturally. The 2 Japanese girl was very exited too. When we stop for gas, the 2 girls was posing and snapping photograph with the desert as the background. They introduce themselves to me. Their names are Michiko and Tomoko. They told me that they never encounter such a panorama before. Entering the valley. My heart was pounding hard!
|
 |
About 2 hours
latter we reach a village where we stop for souvenir. I bought a hookah,
a headgear which I wore for the rest of the journey. By this time, we had
become close with each other. We took turns taking photograph. We were
serve with Jordanian tea (in a very small, no, I mean tiny little copper
cups) by the shops owner. I am very cautious when looking at the prices
of the souvenir item. My mind had to stretch a lot doing mathematical conversion
of things. I end up buying the traditional Arab headgear and put it on
immediately.
Finally we reach our destination. There were already a number of other visitors at the tourist information centre at the entrance of the valley. There is no proper road going to the site. Everybody had to either walk, ride on a horse back or take a horse carriage. I choose the horse ride. This was my first experience mounting a horse. I don't think I did badly thought, judging from the cool respond of the horse. Of course there are these guides to guide the horse (all the way). The journey starts slowly and the scenery become beautiful. Well actually at this point I'm a bit tired of typing all the 'too descriptive' observation. So, for the time being I just let you all enjoy the photo. I will fill up the story behind it latter. So keep visiting this page! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[email protected]