(Jordan Flag)


(Jordan Map)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015:

American Airlines changed my flights leaving me only 40 minutes
to make my connection in O'Hare. Since there were no flights after my scheduled
flight to Montreal that would have gotten me there in time for my flight to Amman, I
decided to fly to Chicago the evening before and spend the night at the Hilton O'Hare.

1 minute video of my hotel room at the O'Hare Hilton.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015:

My flight to Montreal left Chicago on time Thursday morning just after sunrise.

17 minute video of my American Eagle flight to Montreal.


Click on the images below for the original full-size image.

 It was an ugly rainy day in Montreal.
I arrived around 10:00AM and my flight to Amman didn't leave until 3:55.
It was a very boring five hour wait. There wasn't even an airport lounge to relax in.
They started boarding the Royal Jordanian 787 at 2:30.


We were wheels up at around 4:30PM.
This was my first flight on the new 787 Dreamliner.
I found the business class section of the plane very comfortable.
It was a nearly ten hour flight to Amman.


15 minute video of my flight to Amman on a Royal Jordanian 787.


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015:

We landed at the Amman Queen Alia International Airport around 9:30AM.


I rented a car and drove 43 miles to the Dead Sea.


I spent the night at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea Resort.


The Kempinski is a beautiful resort on the banks of the Dead Sea.


They drove me and my luggage down to my villa.


From my villa it was only a few steps walk down to the lowest stop on Earth.


The sun set behind the hills in Isreal at 4:30.



12 minute video of the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea Resort.

MY DAILY EMAIL SENT ON DECEMBER 18, 2015
Hello folks,

I am on vacation again. I flew to Chicago on Wednesday night and spent the night at the Hilton in O'Hare Airport. I had not originally planned to do that but they changed my flights making it necessary. Thursday morning I flew to a very rainy Montreal. I spent five very boring hours at the Montreal Airport. They didn't even have an airport lounge. Late Thursday afternoon I boarded my Royal Jordanian flight to Amman, Jordan. This was my first flight on the new 787 Dreamliner. Below is the very comfortable business class section. Not many people were on board yet. They started boarding 90 minutes before departure.



It was a ten hour flight. We landed in Amman, Jordan at 9:30 Friday morning. The picture below was taken shortly before landing.



I had to purchase a visa upon arrival but it was quick and easy. Much faster than baggage claim. Thought my bag was never going to come out. After getting my luggage I rented a car and drove to the Dead Sea. I am staying at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar. It is a very beautiful resort right on the Dead Sea.



I booked a regular room, but they upgraded me to a villa for free. Must be their off-season, this huge place is almost deserted. They drove me and my luggage down to the villa in a golf cart. I have a balcony looking out onto the Dead Sea but the view is almost completely blocked by palm trees. Below is a picture of the Dead Sea. This is the lowest spot on planet Earth. Over 1200 feet below sea level.



And below is the Dead Sea again at sunset. The hills you see on the other side are in Israel.



That's all to report so far. I'll write more as I progress.

Tim
Click on email photos for the large full-size photograph.
(Note: Screen grabs can not be enlarged.)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2015:

I woke up late and had breakfast at the hotel.
I checked out of my hotel shortly after noon.
It was a mostly gloomy day with hazy skies.
I drove directly to my hotel at the Amman Airport.
The citizens of Jordan drive like idiots.
I tried to spend as little time on the road as possible.

Watch the dash cam video below for more details on the journey.

19 minute video of my drive from the Dead Sea to the Amman Airport.

When I got to the airport I checked into the Amman Airport hotel.


2 minute video of my accomodations at the Amman Airport.

MY DAILY EMAIL SENT ON DECEMBER 19, 2015
Hello again folks,

I didn't do much today. I woke up late and had breakfast at my Dead Sea hotel. After noon I checked out of the hotel and began my drive back to the Amman Airport.



It was a mostly gloomy day. The people of Jordan drive like idiots. It was my goal to spend as little time on the road as possible.



It was about a 90 minute drive back to the Amman Airport.



All the pictures above are screen grabs from the dashboard camera. I got to my hotel at the Amman Airport around 2:00.



My main reason for coming to Jordan was because I couldn't get a free business class seat to Dubai, but I could to Amman. As long as I was here I thought I would spend a couple days. The Dead Sea Resort was very nice. I have a quick 3 hour flight to Dubai tomorrow. It's about 6:00PM here now. I'm going to go downstairs and have dinner. I will write more from Dubai.

Tim
Click on email photos for the large full-size photograph.
(Note: Screen grabs can not be enlarged.)


Click on the arrow above for my adventures on my PERSIAN GULF CRUISE.

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