Adventures for Anyone

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

And From Jenn's List....Dubai!!!!

It's the UAE (United Arab Emirates), it's Dubai, and it's Abu Dhabi. This is one of the most modern mystical lands we hear about day after day. This land of adventure, luxury, modernity, and really big things sits along the coast of the Persian Gulf and is a desert playland for all ages. It is home to the biggest. The Burj Khalifa, Ain Dubai (the observation wheel) and The Palm Islands. You can go to Lego Land, ski indoors, and gaze at some of the biggest synchronized performance fountains in the world. Everything that the Emiratis do, build, design, and create is big and luxurious, and designed for people to come and enjoy. It is a wonderland of modernity, but there is more to it than that.

Dubai is an ancient country, with the first recorded people being Minoans when the area was a swamp land, in about 3000 BC. Many peoples have lived in this area since. There have been nomads, the Bani Yas, Royalty and so on. At one point, it was a walled city. But, since the discovery of oil in the land, Dubai, and the Maktoum have turned modern day Dubai into the UAE's greatest wonder, with a lifestyle that benefits every Emirati. The monarchy is still vastly in charge of the country, with
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum squarely on the pulse of the people, and fairly obviously doing a great job.

Dubai is built for tourism, and they boast some of the safest travel in the Middle East. They are in a questionable position with Qatar and Yemen not far away and do sit on the Arabian Peninsula, but they claim they will fly you in and out of the area safely so that you can enjoy all they have to offer. Emirates airlines is reportedly the way to go to benefit the most from the safety.

Abu Dhabi is the most famous part of the country, but the desert is still an amazing destination. You can tour the area in rugged 4X4's, on camel back or several other ways. You can glide across it on land sailing vehicles as well. You can camp overnight with Bedouins, or you can stay in a five star resort. Dubai is a place that you don't want to leave and miss all the amazing things you can see and do in the desert.

As per any major city, the historical section is right downtown along the creek. It has been preserved so that people can come and learn about the 3000 years of cultural and religious history of the area. There are forts, mosques, and other buildings from the past of the ultra modern country to remind all of us of where they came from. I find it interesting that you have to look for the past. The Emiratis are fond of their modern lives, and all of the giant buildings and malls far overshadow the humble beginnings of this great country. They are there for you to learn from and the ancient architecture is always one of my favorite things to see.

While enjoying the history and culture of the area, take a cruise on a dhow. These boats have been all over Asia for hundreds of years, and it's a true experience to ride on one. They have all kinds of harbor cruises, dinner cruises and so forth, and it's a great experience being connected to past times.

But, if modern Abu Dhabi is what you crave, let's take a look at it, starting with the QE2. That's right, the ocean liner. It was decommissioned and it was a sad idea to destroy it. So, it's now permanently docked in Abu Dhabi and is a restaurant and hotel. Just one more giant unique spot to visit in Dubai. It has all the amenities you could ask for and a great view of the city.

If you're looking for a hotel, Dubai has some of the most famous ones in the world. In the early 2000's the Burj Al Arab popped up looking like a sailboat, and the race was on. Since then so many luxury hotels have popped up that it's hard to keep track of them all. There's an Atlantis Resort on the infamous Palm Islands, there's everything Jumeirah, and the list goes on. There are beach hotels, city hotels, and desert resorts in the area. You can stay at theme parks, golf resorts, Bedouin camps and so on.

Whether you are looking at buildings, resorts, islands, malls, rides, or whatever; Dubai is big. Everything is bigger, better, world record breaking, unique, cutting edge, and frankly; cool. They just opened the biggest observation wheel in the world, to go along with the largest collection of man made islands in the world, the tallest building int he world and so on. There are many of the biggest things to do in Dubai. And then there's the Frame. This unique structure is something that you can look at or go into. Your choice.

Do you like cars? The Dubai Autodrome is one of the world's best and most versatile racing arenas. All kinds of car racing happens here. They have a facility where they can race day or night and a variety of track options to accommodate the different kinds of racing. Cars are big in Dubai. There's a lot of money from a lot of oil and there are supercars everywhere you look. The people of Dubai are proud of their money and love to show it off.

Do you like to shop? Dubai is famous for that. They have some of the craziest malls in the world and they still have areas of bazaar shopping as they did in the old days. Whether you are looking for traditional items or something more Rodeo Drive, you can find it in Dubai.

Another note. Dubai has many festivals celebrating all kinds of things from music to movies to food to shopping. That's right, Dubai has a shopping festival. It's the only place on Earth I know of that has an actual festival to celebrate shopping.

If you don't feel like shopping, but hopefully if you go to Dubai you like to shop; you can do many other things at the Dubai Mall. They have all kinds of activities, but two of them that they are best known for are skiing and playing with Penguins.

It's hot in the Persian Gulf, but that didn't stop the Emiratis from enjoying some colder activities. Ski Dubai is the most famous indoor ski resort in the world. You can also go ice skating and there is the interactive Penguin habitat. Don't worry, you can also go to the movies and other things that you do in average malls.

Dubai has many active places. They have an aquarium where you can swim with dolphins. They have a Lego Land. They have a massive water park at Atlantis. It is an amazing place to visit.

Would you like to experience pure magic? Abu Dhabi has the Magic Gardens. Whether you see them during the day or at night, they are spectacular. These highly sculpted gardens are designed to transport you to a magical land, or at least give you that effect. They are huge, and will take some time to explore, so don't think that this is some half hour stop on a city tour.

Now, we've talked about some amazing things, and I am convinced that Dubai is a great vacation spot. It's like someone took Las Vegas and made it bigger, better, more fun.

But, this is a Middle Eastern Country. There are rules, and you should learn them before you go. Just because you are a tourist from America, doesn't mean you are exempt from their Sharia laws of behavior. When in Rome, and here they are Muslim. You can't show PDA. It's offensive. You should consider covering your head. It's out of respect. I wouldn't drink alcohol. Just be respectful. All of the public rules can be found on the country's website. They want you to visit. They just don't want you to be disrespectful.

Also, right now there are Covid-19 requirements. Check before you go. You will not be allowed in the country without a Covid-19 test. Check the rules before you go. Also, this country sits in the Middle of the Middle East. Check the State Department Website for recommendations on travel before you book a trip. Dubai is an amazing place, but don't forget, the neighborhood is tremendously unstable.

All that being said, I can't imagine not having a great time visiting Dubai and the UAE. The place is huge in more ways than one. It's a playground for the rich, but it's also a place that normal people can find a reasonably priced hotel room and go and see what all the wealth can build. There's history, activity, and very big things to see. The people speak English as a second language, so the language barrier is small. There are several local tour companies that can help you choose what you wish to do while you're there and help set it up for you. It's a country full of people who want you to have a good time. They welcome outsiders and love to learn about other cultures. They only ask that you respect their culture while you're visiting them.

So, whether you want to enjoy man made, nature, water, desert, wildlife, city life, or just really big things; Dubai, the UAE, and Abu Dhabi are a great place to visit and enjoy!

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https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/atlantis-aquaventure/aquaventure-waterpark

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https://www.cruisecritic.com/smart-deals/departureport-69/?suppressTabs=1&source=132659&taparam=ECCGoogleUS_Kkwd-79646302315288:loc-190_A1274334647860397&supai=&supsn=o&supmbl=&suppos=&supap1=347000206&supap2=1274334647860397&supdev=c&suprnd=&supmob=kwd-79646302315288:loc-190&suplp=&msclkid=f3dadfffb10b15cc670bbe9b1535691c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=132659_CC_Bing_US_Desktop_Ports_Exact_132659&utm_term=dubai%20tourism&utm_content=Dubai

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Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Taking Time out to Celebrate My Favorite Time of Year...Foliage Season!

My favorite time of year is here! I love fall. I love leaves at their best. I love taking drives to look at foliage. I love anything pumpkin except beer. I am one of those people who enjoy the last bastions of civilized weather before the winter comes crashing down, reducing my adventures to what I can find on TV and the internet. So, I have taken this opportunity to bring around some great options for leaf peeping.

New England, where I live, is famous for its foliage. People come here from all over the world to look at our leaves, drink our cider, and find out just how many food and drinks you can make from pumpkin. One of my favorite spots in the world is southern Vermont. During Columbus Day Weekend, you can't move there. Everywhere you look are guided tour buses full of tourists looking at the leaves. It's a popular sport in the fall in Vermont. Leaf peeping is one of the most popular sports in New England, second only to football.

If there's one thing I've learned in all my travels, it's that people overlook some great spots because they aren't famous as the best spot. Therefore, I'd like to mention some other fabulous spots to look at foliage across the lower 48.

Right here, in Connecticut are some of the prettiest views around. By the way, that's why I live here. We love the foliage in CT. We have all of our fairs in the fall, countless festivals, and special events; just to celebrate foliage season. We love everything fall. All of New England is beautiful during this season. It's starts out earlier in northern Maine, then it trickles down the coast. We pick up shortly after in northern New Hampshire and the White Mountains, and northern Vermont along the Canadian border. After that, we hit Massachusetts, then Rhode Island and Connecticut. New England in fall is gorgeous.

The surprise spot in New England is Cape Cod. The cape is long famous for its summers and its beach life. Provincetown is famous for its laid back attitude and diversity. But, in the fall, there are still tons of trees and the coastline comes alive with color. Along those shores you will find a special kind of sun that makes the skies a blue that you see no other time of year. It is a very special time to see Cape Cod.

Yosemite and Yellowstone. They are two of the most famous national parks on Earth. Yellowstone is the first one ever created. Once again, you hear about these parks for many reasons, but in the fall they come alive with fiery colors to go along with their dramatic sites. It may be a bit cold in these places, but you can't possibly imagine what all the yellows, reds and oranges do to a place like Yellowstone or Yosemite. And, don't forget most of northern California. The redwoods, the Sequoias, Big Sur. There are tons of foliage spots in the state and the Pacific Coast Highway as well.

The Pacific Northwest. It's covered so heavily in woods that people still argue the existence of Bigfoot. Oregon and Washington are home to the Cascade Mountains and some of the most magnificent waterfalls in the contiguous United States. There are tons of great foliage experiences in the area and so much to see and do. The bonus here is the raiinforest effect, and the fact that your elevation has everything to do with the weather and outdoor temperature.

The American Southwest isn't known for its foliage as a rule, but there are places where it comes alive in the fall. Around Taos, New Mexico are some of the best foliage drives. The forest in the area comes alive with color in the fall and the southern location makes the weather more temperate. Other places that you wouldn't normally think of the foliage are places like Indiana and Illinois and Ohio. These states are largely farmland and not much for woods. However, if you travel to the southern parts of these states along the Ohio River, you will see some amazing foliage and be truly amazed.

Michigan, home of most of the great lakes, motor vehicles, and about to become NFL quarterbacks is home of some of the best foliage anywhere. All along Lake Michigan are wooded areas combined with some of the largest sand dunes you'll ever see. You can stop in Hell and enjoy the foliage and some of the best events of the October season. Frankenmuth is home of german lifestyle and black forest style foliage. You can enjoy Oktoberfest, Christmas shopping and foliage all in the same place. And then, there's Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is one of the best places in the world to look at foliage. It's a can't and shouldn't miss. Michigan's Upper Peninsula connects directly to the heavily wooded state of Wisconsin. Whether you're a Green Bay Packer's fan or just a fan of woods and beautiful scenery; Wisconsin is a must see.

The Great Smoky Mountains are famous for their foliage. Everywhere from Cumberland to Chattanooga is amazing for leaf peeping. There are festivals, tours and maps for great drives all over the place. But, don't forget about southern Appalachia. The Carolinas, and Virginia, along with parts of Georgia and Alabama have amazing foliage. In West Virginia, they have the bridge festival in New River Gorge in the middle of October too. Beautiful foliage and people jumping off a bridge. Beat that.

Another extraordinary place that is overlooked in foliage season is the Ozarks. Based in Missouri, these mountains are beautiful in the fall. There are a lot of places that are beautiful in the fall. Remember, no matter where you are, there are places to go and look at the leaves. Just because you may live in farmland, doesn't mean that there isn't somewhere nearby to go and see the splendor of fall.

One of my favorite areas for foliage are Pennsylvania and New York State. Pennsylvania, despite its eastern location is wild and wooded across most of its area. There are so many great parks such as Bushkill and Rickett's Glen. The leaves are bright and beautiful in the fall. Northern New Jersey is amazing, as is most of the massive state of New York. The fire of fall is appreciated in these areas with festivals, fairs, cruises on the Hudson River, hot air balloons, and so much more. Everywhere you look there are farms, corn mazes, pumpkin picking and so much more to celebrate fall. So, if you're looking for somewhere to look at the leave besides the Kankamangus Highway, check out all the states. There are some great places to go leaf peeping that you've probably never heard of. Check out Brown County, Indiana; Taos, New Mexico; Metropolis, Illinois; the Wisconsin Dells; Mackinaw Island, Michigan; Asheville, North Carolina; Cherokee, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; Roseburg, Oregon; Telluride, Colorado; and so much more. The leaves are waiting, and winter is coming. Get out to see some leaves before they fall and enjoy!

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https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-mexico/high-road-to-taos-fall-foliage-nm/

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-mexico/early-fall-foliage-road-trip-nm/

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https://www.travel-mi.com/Michigan-Fall-Color.html

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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Back to the Bucket List of Miss Jenn With a Look at Petra, Jordan!

Petra, Jordan is one of the most misunderstood and enigmatic places in the world. It is also one of the most famous locations in the world, and one of the most famous abandoned cities in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World. It's a location that's been used in every adventure movie from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen.

So, with the inherent dangers of traveling the Middle East, why is it that Jordan and its mysterious city of Petra continue to enthrall us? History has the answer to that.

Petra is located in an isolated valley in the desert of Jordan. It's called the Valley of the Crescent Moon by most Indiana Jones fans. The only way to enter the valley is through the Siq; that long crack in the stone. There are no conventional roads in Petra; only the stone paths from centuries past. The entry alone is dramatic enough to burn itself into your memory for the rest of your life. As you enter the city, you see the Treasury first. It is one of the more dramatic buildings in the city. It is also not a treasury. It is a tomb for a Nabatean leader.

Nabateans, are the people who inhabited the city at its height. Petra sat right on a massive trade route, and the people of the city either helped or robbed the traveling traders. Whichever the case required at the time. There are many temples and tombs carved in the stone at Petra, and was at one point called the city of the dead because of it. There were once thousands of people living in the city which covers around 100 square miles in this secluded valley in Jordan.

Petra was inhabited and ruled by different peoples over the years. They were once part of the Egyptian Empire and once part of the Roman Empire. If you climb up 850 steps, you will reach what used to be a Christian Monastery high atop the edge of the gorge valley. The view alone is worth the hike.

Most of the people lived in the more subtle carved out buildings you will see. The tombs were the ornate buildings, but everything, including the stadium, was carved into the cliffs. It was a thriving city with great wealth and busy common areas. And then, one day, it was as though they disappeared.

In 363 There was an earthquake that rattled the area to its core. After that, the trade routes were already shifting, and the people just began to move on and die out. The city then became a place for the elusive Bedouins to camp at and claim as their own, until a Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhardt, rediscovered it in 1812. He put the place on the world map, and now it is Jordan's single most lucrative tourist location.

Now, we all know that Petra is an amazing place to visit, but how is that done? Jordan sits in the Middle East, just north of Israel. It is the home of one of the largest enclaves of Palestinians in the world. The refugees from Palestine are one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. Jordan is still ruled by a king, King Abdullah II. He does rule in tandem with an elected house in Parliament, but he still has the last word. Women are still treated as secondary citizens in most cases. They still cover their heads and faces quite often and rarely go out without a man. There are different castes in Jordan as well. Islam is the primary religion, even though there are Christians around. The language is Arabic, but everyone learns English in school. It is a unique country in the middle of a hotbed of conflict.

Strangely, one of the largest sources of tour companies that travel to Petra is Israel. The location is also associated with parts of the Bible and that makes Israel interested in travel in that area. It's wise to visit Petra with a tour so that you understand exactly what it is you're looking at. My advice is to always book a tour to a place like Petra with a local company. They live there. They know the country, the people and the history.

Bedouins, Bedouins, Bedouins. These are the people who inhabited the city when it was an abandoned secret, and they are the people who spend the most time there right now. I have heard visitors describe the phenomenon as shopping at a bazaar full of people dressed up like a Middle Eastern Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean. The men in particular wear eye shadow as a form of skin protection from the desert sun. Most of the Bedouin folk wear long sleeved clothes year round and head coverings. All are for protection from the ruthless desert sun.

Petra is the largest tourist attraction in Jordan, therefore, it will strike you as very touristy. There are tons of things to buy, eat, and drink. Everyone will try to sell you something. On the flip side of that, it is a great place to shop. Everything that you might want to buy in Jordan will probably be on sale in that one single location. Take advantage of it, but remember to haggle. Vendors will count on that.

Transportation is another thing that comes up at Petra. Not everyone wants to hike all day just to see the city. You can't take a car into the valley. It isn't possible. That being said, you can take a cart, donkey, or camel. You may arrive at the siq by bus or car, but the old ways take over from there. You can even take a donkey up to the monastery at the top of the 850 stairs. This makes it much easier for people of all ages and capabilities to see the city. Just remember, it will cost. The locals aren't going to give any services away for free.

Where to stay if you make the wise choice to not try to see the whole city in one day? Well, there are accommodations near by. Some of the local hotels in the Wadi Rum area are very exotic and will give you unique memories to last a lifetime. But, if you want the whole experience of Petra, you should make arrangements to stay in a Bedouin Camp. The Bedouin locals will show you how they stay in the desert overnight and give you that truly unique experience that you just can't get most other places.

If you stay in a camp, you will also have the opportunity to see the lantern show at the Treasury. This is an event that happens most nights, weather permitting, and is just beautiful. It's a great experience to attend the show, stay in the Bedouin Camp and have breakfast with the locals right in the valley. Then, you spend day two seeing what you missed of the enormous ancient city on day one.

Petra is a two tier trip. First, you will want to talk to a company about booking an arranged agenda to Jordan. It is in the Middle East. You will want to book with a company that knows how to get you to and from Jordan safely. Most people either fly with an airline out of Dubai or go by cruise ship. All things to consider before you go. When booking a trip to Petra itself, you should talk to a local Jordanian tour company who knows the country, the area, and the people. Do not take your first trip to Jordan without arranging guides, tours, and organized travel; probably as a group. It is not a place that you want to learn by winging it on your own.

That being said, Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East. It is one of the most stable and has its own military for protection. It is a wealthy country, so the amenities are great. The people there are friendly, and want you to have a good time. Tourism is a huge source of income to the people of Jordan. So, make sure you book your arrangements in advance and have them planned well. Make sure you plan to travel to Petra through a local company. Make sure you are prepared for the sun in the desert. Make sure you take full advantage of everything that Petra has to offer, such as overnight stays, and enjoy!

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