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| Public Beach, Aqaba |
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| Aqaba and Eilat to the left. |
What is fun about Aqaba?
- It is a place so easy to get around. A taxi to anywhere is no more than 1.50 JOD.
- It is warm for six months, hot, darn hot for the other six months.
- Cafes are numerous and the coffee is good, really good.
- Diving or snorkeling opportunities are extensive.
- A stroll along the beach or coffee beside the beach is a different experience here in Aqaba.
- Listen to live music, or watching a belly dancer, or karaoke.
- Sunsets, oh yes, the sunsets are exquisite.
- People, Jordanians want you to love their country.
So what were our experiences?
During the time we were in Aqaba our stand out
experiences were:-
Sitting beside the beach sipping on a Turkish coffee with friends. The peaceful blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba lapping on the beach. Watching the glass bottom boats disturb the silence as the pass playing music loudly, very loud. It was enjoyable listening to the falsetto voice of the bread seller and seeing the colourful clothes of the drinks seller. The fruity smell of the shisha smoke. Watching the sun go down over the Sinai Peninsula, a brilliant red fireball. Oh yes, from your seat you can look simultaneously at Egypt and (I only say) Palestine.
The very best coffee was enjoyed at Rakwet Kanaan.
The mix of coffee beans used to serve a Turkish coffee was a taste to die for.
The Egyptian waiters were ever so friendly, always welcoming with a smile and
sometimes buying the coffee for us. These guys absolutely made our experience
at Rakwet Kanaan memorable. This cafe is a true Palestinian experience, as
there photographic displays of many of the most well know Palestinian artists,
poets and writers.
Our visits to Berenice Beach Club were a delight. Most of my under water viewing was done while snorkeling here. Turtles, Lionfish, Parrotfish, Clown fish, and Butterfly fish along with beautiful hard corrals were amazing. Apart from lounge chairs on the beach there were also lounge chairs beside the pool. We knew a bus driver who always took us there and back for no cost. The days spent here will live in our memories forever.
Walking along side the public beach was noisy, what with children enjoying the water to the load music of the glass bottom boats, coming here was a true Jordanian experience, an experience not to be missed.
Jordanians always sing out in the streets, "welcome to Jordan". Yes there were many special people that Emy and I met in Aqaba. The people where I worked and the people with whom we socialized made each day enjoyable. Emy thought so much of the expats Thursday Coffee Morning and we both think our Wednesday evening group the very best experience. Thank you all for your generosity, Nikki for giving us the Tala Bay experience, Glen and Kath for so much transport and 'The Rooftop Garden' and Nicole for your friendship along with humour and fun with Jerry and Becky. To everyone unnamed our photos of you will revive for us wonderful memories in Aqaba.
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| Sunset over the Sinai Peninsula |
Sitting beside the beach sipping on a Turkish coffee with friends. The peaceful blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba lapping on the beach. Watching the glass bottom boats disturb the silence as the pass playing music loudly, very loud. It was enjoyable listening to the falsetto voice of the bread seller and seeing the colourful clothes of the drinks seller. The fruity smell of the shisha smoke. Watching the sun go down over the Sinai Peninsula, a brilliant red fireball. Oh yes, from your seat you can look simultaneously at Egypt and (I only say) Palestine.
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| Smoking Shisha in Cafe |
Our visits to Berenice Beach Club were a delight. Most of my under water viewing was done while snorkeling here. Turtles, Lionfish, Parrotfish, Clown fish, and Butterfly fish along with beautiful hard corrals were amazing. Apart from lounge chairs on the beach there were also lounge chairs beside the pool. We knew a bus driver who always took us there and back for no cost. The days spent here will live in our memories forever.
Walking along side the public beach was noisy, what with children enjoying the water to the load music of the glass bottom boats, coming here was a true Jordanian experience, an experience not to be missed.
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| Live Music at Kempinski - dedicated to Billy Ontong |
Often we visited the Kempinski Hotel to have a quiet
drink and listen to a live band with friends David and Sue. It was such fun
suggesting to Frank Cuddumbey, the leader of the group, the next tune to be
played. So often we requested 'Baker Street' because we so enjoyed Billy
Ontong, the sax player doing his solo part. Sue and David also introduced us to
the Formosa Restaurant where just a few times we took part in a Karaoke evening.
Emy was a natural.
Jordanians always sing out in the streets, "welcome to Jordan". Yes there were many special people that Emy and I met in Aqaba. The people where I worked and the people with whom we socialized made each day enjoyable. Emy thought so much of the expats Thursday Coffee Morning and we both think our Wednesday evening group the very best experience. Thank you all for your generosity, Nikki for giving us the Tala Bay experience, Glen and Kath for so much transport and 'The Rooftop Garden' and Nicole for your friendship along with humour and fun with Jerry and Becky. To everyone unnamed our photos of you will revive for us wonderful memories in Aqaba.
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Thank you for reading my post. All posts are my own unless a guest writer's name is published with the post, in which case I do not necessarily agree with the writer's views. Please note all photos (other than those acknowledged by name) are taken by me, my wife, or a third party we have asked to take the photo. As such all photos are personal and subject to copyright, © David Pollock.