Secret Asian Man- Wadi Mujib on the Downside

I’m nearing the end of my time here at “the crossroads of Armageddon”, as some have put it.  And while we approached Amman with a good deal of trepidation, we’ve grown to enjoy the place. As long as one pays attention, it’s not too hard to live a normal-ish life.  A life quite different from that of the TV screen.

Of course, once there’s an end date, there is also the sudden appearance of a list. A list of all the the things you still haven’t seen or done or eaten.  Or the things you said you’d do again when so-and-so visited.

“Man! They’d love this!”

Hiking Wadi Mujib was one such place. Closed ½ the year due to high water and restricted to those over the age of 18. Lifejackets are required. Guides are sort of posted at the hard parts. It’s only a couple of hours hike.  One hour in. One hour out.  Hiking or slogging up stream like spawning salmon into a canyon only a few meters wide. Scrambling up waterfalls.  Fording deep pools hand-over-hand on a rope. Terminates at a waterfall.  Sometimes you can slip behind for a good natural Hammam experience.  Today, though it was closed. Too much water coming through.

You head out the way you came in. Back down the ropes and ladders or if you can, sliding down the rocks and floating.  Letting the current carry you along. Back down to the car and dry clothes.

Today, was a repeat experience. The water was high from the rain a week ago. It felt at times like every river and stream in the country was pouring through this slot. But, it was as much fun as anticipated.  

If you come, plan on April through Early-December and plan on getting wet. There is no way around it, though it is gentler as the season wears on.

Here are some shots from the day….

Entering the Siq

Small water fall

Crack in the sky. 

Fording the rough parts with ropes.

On the Edge of Tomorrow

It's been a pretty long trip this time.  I'm winding things up with a drop in on Apia, Samoa. Just near the International date line.  You can see me on the map to the left. I'm the little yellow pixel, just below the letter 'A' in Apia

Since mid-September, I’ve been to Ohio, Minnesota, back to Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa and then back to Indonesia.  I’ve changed my watch ten times.  Including my own, I’ve slept in 11 different beds. Now, part of this was with family and wasn’t work related, but I was on my own for a while.

Pre-mid life crisis, I used to dream of finding a job that would pay me to travel.  So here, I am.  Living the dream!

The upside, you can meet interesting people from all over.  You discover some unique and beautiful locations.  

A cab driver recommended this beach an hour so away. It was great to drive out and find it on a map and just camp out for the day.  Dozing in the shade of a fale, watching the waves far out on the reef. It's a great way to spend a morning.

He also recommended this waterfall. You can't hike to it, but you can pay the land owner $2 toview it from afar and imagine what it may be like to hike down to it.

Or there is this place, To Sua Ocean Trench.  Rated a “Place to see in your lifetime”  by someone who rates such things.  It’s an old lava tube that’s roof caved in.  The ocean fills it through an underground tube.  The only way down is via the ladder.  As swimming holes go, it is pretty idyllic.

You also stumble across some entertainment opportunities.  While out looking for dinner the other night, I found the Second Annual Samoan Jazz Festival, right there on the street. There was a solo, electric ukelele act who was simply wailing out the hits. Later there was a Cuban Salsa band and the night finished up with a Samoan/NZ Luther Vandross cover band.  It was amazing.  And throughout the evening. This was the view. Just a superbly unexpected evening.

The downside is the travelling by oneself. You don’t have anyone to share anything with.  No one to watch you dive into the deep blue hole No one to look at the sunset you’re pointing at. No one to shimmy with.

I guess this is long winded way to say, “Wish you were here!”