The Lights of Israel at Night!

Hi everyone, this week marked the projected half way point for my projects, which we really want to meet our goals because if we do then we get bonuses and a week extra paid vacation with the option to use any of the hotels in the world that the company has nights with. We found out on Thursday afternoon that we were going to end up getting a three day weekend because Sunday turns out to be a Muslim Holiday therefore all of our meetings that we had scheduled got canceled. Had I known sooner I would have planned a trip to Egypt or to the Red Sea. But what we ended up doing was as good if not better. We got invited by the general manager to come spend the night at the new Kempinski Dead Sea Hotel, this was the same hotel that we went to the first time we went to the dead sea (link at http://www.kempinski.com/en/hotel/index.htm ). It is so nice to have such a great spot to go and relax just about 45 minutes from downtown Amman.

Anyways they take security very seriously here at this hotel, not just for like terrorists stuff but to keep non-hotel guests out of the hotel property. The entire hotel isn’t finished yet but the lower level of where all of the suites are down by the sea is finished. The main building up next to the entrance is still not finished it will also house, a movie theatre, bowling alley, and two first for Jordan the largest night club in Jordan as well as a 10,000 sq meter spa which once complete will be the largest in the Middle East.

So they stop you at the main gate and check to see if you are on the list and then they come by in golf carts that are waiting for you to the main entrance of course they take care of the car and the luggage. Then they pull up to the main building that has two huge wooden doors that are at least 2 or 3 stories tall that they pen into a long hall that is covered with tables of fresh orchids looking out to the dead sea. We were immediately greeted by the chief butler who we had met on our first visit to the hotel. They seated us at a waiting area and came around offering an assortment of fresh exotic juices (mango, etc. a lot of which I had never tasted before). Then the General Manager came up and invited us out on this round terrace over looking the sea, as well as the “property” with him pointing out the many amenities such as the zillion pools, restaurants, and large suites. It was funny because the guy was half Irish and spent most of his time around the world managing and opening luxury hotels put he said that he actually grew up in Detroit, who would have thought?

They then escorted us to our rooms on one of the many golf carts where we were shown to our complex of suites which there was a main entrance with different wings each having one of the three suites that was ours. We decided after checking out the rooms, and since this was the same company that built and manages the Emirates Palace (the one in the UAE that was so amazing) I had to compare the two. This one was very minimalist trying to be very chic not over the top like the palace which was kind of refreshing but at the same time I am not going to say that I don’t prefer the 80 inch plasma TV over the topness that is Emirates Palace.

Anyways we decided to go swimming in one of the infinity pools that is next to the room. Where we got to experience night time at the Dead Sea which is nothing less then spectacular. Because of the amazing view looking out at Israel – Jerusalem, Jericho etc. across the sea in the rolling mountains in the distance. There were a lot of people at the pool still at this time. I meet a little girl that reminded me of Erin (although Erin is not that little) anyways she said that she was Jordanian but lives in London and that she was 10 years old. And when I asked her which she preferred. She said that she likes, Jordan but prefers London’s shopping. I couldn’t believe it the girl was 10 years old and talking about preferring London’s shopping, this was a quick reminder of the type of clientele that the hotel serves.

We decided to eat at the Bar B Que that the GM had talked up so much that night it was right next to the upper infinity pool which is one of the coolest I have seen. It is huge and in a shape of a circle gradually getting deeper at the center but the coolest part about it at night there are hundreds of fiber optic lights throughout that change colors almost looking like a solar system the pours into the dead sea with the lights of Israel in the distance. We were actually sat right next to the table where the GM, his wife and two kids were sitting. It makes me wonder what it would be like growing up living in a 5 star hotel on the dead sea.

The wine list was extraordinary with numerous labels from Rothchild in France with a couple Robert Mondavis Opus mixed in. Lets just say that the Kempenski knows how to throw a Bar B Que. The first station is grilled vegetables every type you can image. Then was the main event the grilling station, fillet mignot, swordfish, salmon, sirloin and then at least 1 pound T Bone steaks all grilled to order. Then the salad bar with all the traditional Arabic and American things but some great smoked Salmon and an interesting Sushi Sea Bass dish that was worth noting along with Gazpacho. Then there was a Tempura station with mushrooms, squid, and other vegetables, and finally the Leg of lamb carver.

During dinner the Assistant General Manager just happened to stop by the table to tell us how glad he was to have us as guests and if there was anything else that he could bring for us to let him know. Colleen said a couple of the masseurs from the Spa and he said as you wish. She said that she was kidding, but I thought about pushing it but was satisfied with the meal at hand to. We stayed there at the table dragging it out for almost three hours enjoying the food, drink, and dessert presentations.

Of course we sleep in, but then it was time for the show that they put on by the pool and sea. They fixed us up a couple of chairs with umbrellas and then started pampering us with chilled towels, Evian water misters, fruit injections (which were fruits pureed and put into a syringe looking thing) the service never stopped. We decided that we wanted to have lunch next to the pool and when they brought around the menus I noticed that they didn’t have the sea food lasagna that I loved so much last time, the waiter went and asked and said that he chef would love to make it for me.

We decided that we had to go then to the Dead Sea and get all lathered up in the Dead Sea Mud that is supposed to be so good for your skin, and the guy insisted that you are supposed to let it dry before you get into the water with it on. It was amazing how hot it got as it dried on your skin, then we ended up just getting in anyways. The water was unbelievably flat and when you would moved it seemed to send a ripple all the way to the coast of Israel. After returning to the pool the service continued, they brought over chocolate baby scoops of ice cream, then the spa staff come over and gave five minute minny massages (they actually imported Thais to come in to run their spa and do the massages) and then finished us off with frozen cucumber slices for the eyes. I must say that they get the best rating for poll service and luxury that I have ever experienced or heard of. Although I am sure that it doesn’t hurt to have the GM come by about every hour and a half checking to make sure that everything is ok. We enjoyed the sunset as it soaked away into the mountain line of Israel. Then we made our way back into Amman for the evening. Where we meet up with Chase (who is also working on a different project for the same company) and several of his friends who are random expats from around the world.

Yesterday, we made our way to the Turkish Spa for our massages, it was excellent again in relaxing away the stress from the work week that had past and the stress for the future week to come. This was turning out pretty good though two massages in two days not a bad role. We also got our copies of the local newspaper who featured a half page article on our project here, with a big picture of us getting interviewed so that was pretty exciting. They drag the posting onto the internet for one week, so when it comes up I will post the link to the article. Pretty exciting having my first work interview for the papers with hopefully more to come. In other exciting news the company comes out with the rankings from all of the teams across the world for the top three for each month, and out team is ranked number two in sales for the entire company for August so that is extremely exciting since this was my first full month with sales since I have started with company. Hopefully we will be able to get some more large sales and bounce up to number one!

All for now I will post pics and the link to the newspaper article soon.

Chad