Royal Jordan
Oh, Royal Jordan!
Aqaba, Jordan
I took a ‘private’ ferry from Nuweiba, Egypt to Aqaba, Jordan. I was advised by several people that the public ferry crossing to Jordon can take up to ten hours! Not entirely sure why the public ferry takes so much time…when a private ferry taking the same route only takes about 45min, it ıs beyond me! Aqaba, Jordon is the ONLY port of entry, there are no entry or exit points by water other than vıa The Red Sea in Aqaba. Jordan is 80% desert (as a result there is a water shortage, so if you vısıt, use the water sparrinly), the capital city ıs Amman (the original name was Philadelphiaıa). Jordon shares borders with Syria, Iraq and a natural border with Israel…the natural border being the Dead Sea. Jordon and Israel are the only two countries you can access the Dead Sea. I spent seven days in Jordan, I vısıted Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Wadi Musa, The Dead Sea, Madaba and Amman.
Aqaba, Jordan
Aqaba is the border town you ‘land’ in when you take a ferry from Nuweiba to Jordan. Aqaba is the nicest border town I have EVER come across ın my travels. Generally speaking (from my travels), border towns tend to be dirty and gritty! And as soon as you enter a border town you generally want to get out quickly…..but, not Aqaba! Aqaba has character, is clean and has good inexpensive food! Don’t get me wrong, Jordan is at least two times more expensive than Egypt…..for every dollar I exchanged I received .67 piastres, which is enough for cheap street food, such as a Felafel’s! However, if you would like to eat a proper meal, a person would have to pay about 8.00 Jordanian Dinars and don’t get me started on the prices of alcohol in Islamic countries (but if you do plan to make any alcohol purchases, Aqaba is the place to do it, it is a ‘free zone,’ which means you can buy alcohol without tax)!. It was a bit of a shock after coming from a Egypt where food and accommodations are half the price.
Wadi, Rum
From Aqaba I went to Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum is made up of about 700km of desert and within the desert are canyons, rock formations and mountains made of granite and sandstone. The ‘residents’ of Wadi Rum are Bedouin, Bedouins once led nomadic lives, following the water source, once it dried up they picked-up and moved to another location with water.
I took a 4WD Jeep through the desert area of Wadı Rum, climbed on many rocks, ate a tradıtional Bedouin dinner (they put the meat/potatoes under the sand and the heat from the sun cooks it…….yes, the sun is THAT HOT!). I danced with the Sheik of the village (and yes a Sheik wears white-see photo), watched the sunset and finished the evening off by falling asleep while watching the stars…..
Wadı Musa (town where Petra is located)
My main purpose for my trip to Jordan was to visit Petra. Petra was created and occupied by the Nabataeans over 2000 years ago. The Nabataeans, carved deep into the sandstone rocks; living quarters, burial ‘grounds’, Treasury, Monastery, obelisks, temples, sacrificial altars and colonnaded streets.. Petra can be explored for Days (I suggest a minumum of three), there is so much to see. I explored, hiked and sweat my way to the Ad-Deir Monastery (which takes 800 rock steps to reach), The Treasury (carved out of rock, which stands 30m wide and 43m high) and High Place of Sacrifice!
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a salt lake and is the second saltıest body of water. And due to it being so salty……you basically just float! Seriously! Because the water is so salty you have to take special care not to get the water in your eyes or mouth…..which can be diffıcult. Floating ın the Dead Sea was a peculiar experience, very. First, there are no fısh, only one form of bacteria. Second, if you have cuts, beware as it could be quite painful and ladies there are parts in the ‘private’ region that can start to burn after awhile…..don’t shave the day of! Also, while visiting The Dead Sea you have the option of having a ‘mud rub’. Basically, you can lube your body up with HOT mud, soak it up for thirty minutes and clean it off in the sea….it is very soothing, I highly suggest it. Oh, and the tempature of the Sea is quite warm, felt simalar to soaking in a hot tub!
