My Holiday!

[peas_and_corn]

Ahh, now that uni is all over and all the assignments are handed in, I have one thing to work towards now- my end of degree trip. This year is the end of my getting a Bachelor of International Studies, majoring in International Relations and Politics. At the beginning of the year, I thought of ways I could celebrate this achievement (as passing is not an issue, I knew I would be finished by now). I decided to make good on something I have been wanting to do for a while now- visit every state in the Middle East.

However, there is a problem. Not only can I not pay for a total tour in one hit, but, as you might have noticed, several countries in the Middle East do not get along very well. So I decided to break up my adventure across the Middle East into sections. The first is my visit to Israel and Jordan.

The trip will be for 8 weeks, leaving on the 28th December and returning on the 20th February, just in time to get home to the fact I am already a month behind in writing my honours thesis (which I am doing next year- yay!!). I will spend most of my time in Israel, and probably about 2 weeks in Jordan.

The sequel to this trip will be my end of honours trip to Syria and Lebanon.

Yay!!

 

[Beerpig]

Pack a kevlar vest

 

[Screwtop]

In sha' allah

 

[nonicman]

Hi P and K, beware that an entry stamp for Israel will make it hard for you to enter many Middle Eastern countries, as some such as Bahrain only issue entry visa's on arrival and will be reluctant to issue a visa if you have an any Israeli stamps in your passport. I'm unaware of the Israeli's having a similar attitude (haven't been there yet) so maybe go there last.

 

[spog]

,p&k while in israel try to visit the taybeh brewery read about it a while back, but seeing as you will be in the area why not! cheers spog.

 

[GMK]

Post back a brewery review - happy for you to post me samples

 

[Tony]

check your boogie board cover before you go too.

God knows what you will get over there.

oh and not too many e's in the bagdad night clubs

cheers and have fun

 

[peas_and_corn]

Pack a kevlar vest

[post="95468"][/post]​

lol, yeah, I've joked about getting a kevlar backpack (you can get them apparently) and once asked for a kevlar vest for christmas. Doesn't make my family any less worried for some strange reason. I have travel insurance and apprently the emergency wards in Israel are really good Seriously, I should be fine h34r:

Hi P and K, beware that an entry stamp for Israel will make it hard for you to enter many Middle Eastern countries, as some such as Bahrain only issue entry visa's on arrival and will be reluctant to issue a visa if you have an any Israeli stamps in your passport. I'm unaware of the Israeli's having a similar attitude (haven't been there yet) so maybe go there last.

[post="95480"][/post]​

I've thought about that- I definitely know that Syria and Lebanon will not let you into the country if you have israel in your passport. So, over the next year I'll 'lose' my passport so when I get to my destination I won't have any stamps in it at all. I decided to start with Israel because it's the most 'western' Middle Eastern state to go to. However, you also have the Palestinian sections, which give an insight into the Arab world. A bit of both, that's what I'm going for.

,p&k while in israel try to visit the taybeh brewery read about it a while back, but seeing as you will be in the area why not! cheers spog.

[post="95617"][/post]​

That's definitely on the list! The reviews I have read about Israeli beer have all said it's nothing special, and that people should stick to the beer made by licence from Carlsberg, but I don't think I'll be doing that- not really the spirit of going there if I don't indulge in Israeli beer a majority of the time!

Post back a brewery review - happy for you to post me samples

[post="95628"][/post]​

Well, I think I'll be using my postage to get beer back to myself and maybe give a few to select friends- beer is heavy! One of my friends wants me to take back some Mecca Cola, which is the Palestinian copy of Coke (apparently). If what he's heard is true, I'll be buying some of that as well.

 

[Jazzafish]

Enjoy!

I'm sure it will be a great experience! Just make it very clear that you are not an American!

Cheers,
Jarrad

 

[peas_and_corn]

lol, yeah, my friends the other day gave me a canadian flag to bring with me- I have it hanging up on my wall now, next to my EU flag

 

[normell]

Have a good time P&K, personally tho, ANY COUNTRY in the middle east would be at the bottom of my "must see" destinations at the moment, for me, being an apprentice alcoholic :chug: , western Europe, with all it's breweries, would be the go.
Just remember to avoid crowds, suicide bombers LOVE crowds :blink: .

Normell

 

[Stuster]

PnK

the visa officials in countries around there are used to people 'losing' their passport in order to lose the Israeli visa stamp. My wife tried that a few years ago after working on a kibbutz, got a new passport and was then refused entry to Syria. May work, or may not, it probably just depends on the political situation at the time.

 

[peas_and_corn]

Hmm, I'll bear that in mind when planning what country to go to next... maybe make syria lower on the list and to go saudi arabia/united arab emirates next instead

 

[Uncle Fester]

P&K,
Whilst in Israel, remember the following:

1. Don't go to any pizza bars
2. Dont catch public transport
3. Dont go to any shopping areas
4. Dont go anywhere there are more than a dozen or so people congregated (eg, cinemas, open air eateries, nightclubs, bus- stops etc....

But most importantly... have fun! <_<

Personally, I'm with Normell. There is a ***** load of the world to see, that doesnt involve the risks of the palestine/israel tit for tat thing.....

And some of these places make decent beeer too!

M

 

[peas_and_corn]

yeah, well, as my current quote in my signature points out, I am a real IR nerd, so it is really up my alley. I've booked the hostel I'm staying at (with a 1 day deposit... woo) so all that is good! All I have to do now is find time to go into the city and buy my pack

 

[barfridge]

Seriously... http://www.dragginjeans.com.au/products/kshirts/index.htm

and get some jeans as well. They're made for motorcycling, and will stop small pieces of shrapnel.

 

[peas_and_corn]

LMFAO. I haven't heard that comment about my trip, and I've heard a lot (as I've been planning it all year).

 

[Samwise Gamgee]

What about Egypt? Good for the ancient history lesson

It's a good country to visit and I felt safer walking around Cairo at night than I do in Sydney. If you go there you'll know what I mean.

When in Jordan make sure you go to the Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade temple thingy in the mountain, anyone know its proper name?

 

[peas_and_corn]

Hmm, it's in the lonely planet guide, but I can't find it right now

Anyway, I have the travel documents, I bought my pack today, and the final matters about my travel insurance are going to be sorted out friday! Not long till the holiday... can't wait.

 

[Stuster]

Petra.