If you've read along for awhile, you may remember that Wadi Dana, and particularly the Dana Nature Reserve, is our family's favorite spot it Jordan. We share many memories of fellowship, adventure, and beauty in this place, and our annual springtime camping trip with friends is one of the things my children miss most about Jordan. Even though it was cold, and even though the reserve where we camp is closed for the winter, we decided to visit Wadi Dana for the day, soak in the beauty of the scenery, and check out one of those local hotels in the partially revitalized old Dana village. But first, a look into the reserve and a gaze at the campground. I'm so glad that Active Son was able to share some of the Wadi Dana experience and the family lore surrounding our adventures there with Bride-To-Be.
Thankfully the skies cleared and the WARM sun came out for awhile before dinner, so we sauntered in and around the village, soaking up the winter beauty.
So vibrant was the color of the sun that it cast this red reflection onto his west-facing mountainside opposite the sunset. And when something is this beautiful, you run around the village calling out to your loved ones, making sure they see it too. It was a two theatre production.
The cold and drizzle returned as we headed back to the hotel for dinner, which was a delicious buffet. After dinner we huddled around the heater for awhile and then headed to bed early. I didn't get cold dressing for bed because I didn't. I went to bed fully clothed and used my down coat as an extra blanket. Wadi Dana in winter: Cold and beautiful. Always beautiful.
After a very short hike around the perimeter of the camp--it was cold and drizzly--we headed over Dana village to settle into our rooms at the Dana Tower Hotel. It's business card boasts, "Our Hotel Not 5 Star, But 1 Million Star 1 Moon Hotel". No, it certainly wasn't a five star hotel, but it did receive the best rating of any Dana hotel on Trip Advisor and we were encouraged to see a number of well-heeled European tourists hanging around.
The outer door of our suite:
"Gate To Paradise of Love"
Here is the sitting room for our suite. Fancy. We never actually sat in there as the temperature was about 45 degrees F/8 degrees C. We had one gas heater to share so we all hung out in the large bedroom when we weren't actually sleeping.
Artist Son with his sketchbook
Dear Husband and I discovered the most beautiful lone olive tree, perched on the edge of the valley.
As we headed back to the hotel we were treated to a sunset which filled the sky and valley with layers of color.
So vibrant was the color of the sun that it cast this red reflection onto his west-facing mountainside opposite the sunset. And when something is this beautiful, you run around the village calling out to your loved ones, making sure they see it too. It was a two theatre production.
The cold and drizzle returned as we headed back to the hotel for dinner, which was a delicious buffet. After dinner we huddled around the heater for awhile and then headed to bed early. I didn't get cold dressing for bed because I didn't. I went to bed fully clothed and used my down coat as an extra blanket. Wadi Dana in winter: Cold and beautiful. Always beautiful.
