JORDAN
amman - dead sea - petra - wadi rum
amman
I didn’t know much about this side of the world so when we were invited to a wedding in Jordan, I thought it was a perfect time to explore.
The first night we stayed in the capital city, Amman.
We stayed at “By the Lemon Tree” which is a guest house in one of the oldest and trendiest districts. The owner Guido is an excellent host and lives there with his family.
bythelemontree.com
1 Hafeth Ibrahim Street, Jabel Webdeh
When we woke up it was Friday, the Sunday for Muslims, and there was no breakfast being served at the B&B. We went around the corner and found Rumi Café. A fantastic alternative with espresso, yoghurt, cereal and toast.
14 Kulliyat Al Sharee'Ah Street
All of the shops were closed but fortunately there’s always something to eat. The Jordanian culture is intimately connected with food because that means spending time with the family.
dead sea
Evason Ma'in Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa
We spent two nights at the luxurious Six Senses Evanson Hotel, which is beautifully situated, surrounded by mountains, and is a half hour drive from the Dead Sea
sixsenses.com
We left the Dead Sea on a bus headed towards Petra,
a long ride through a barren landscape. This gave the impression of desolation.
JORDAN
amman - dead sea - petra - wadi rum
JORDAN
amman - dead sea - on the road to petra - wadi rum
Six Senses Spa
Nearby is one of the finest spas in Jordan. It is like an oasis hidden between the mountains and a natural waterfall that opens into an outdoor pool.
The spa utilizes the natural properties of the mineral-rich waters in its therapies,
all of which include scrubs, wraps, massages and facials.
JORDAN
amman - dead sea - petra - wadi rum
petra
Petra is one of the seven wonders of the world, and is one of the most famous archaeological sites. It lies 240km south of the capital Amman.
The town lies in a gorge and was cut out of large parts of rocks mostly by hand. Petra is also known as the ‘pink city’ because of the pink glow that comes off of the rocks.
This wonder of the world is half built into and half carved out of the rock. It is a small desert valley covered by towering sandstone cliffs on the edge of the Wadi Araba desert.
www.visitpetra.jo
The most famous landmark in Petra is the funerary temple ‘the Khazneh’ (the treasury of the Pharaoh).
The title is a bit misleading because the treasury served as a tomb for the most important people of the city and was not used to store treasures.
But in addition to these famous 'treasure chest' the other temples are definitely worth visiting.
To admire the whole city in one day is almost impossible, it is so big. If you want there is an opportunity to stay overnight. You can sleep under the stars. It is the best to arrange a visit in advance and make you well informed.
The day we visited Petra there were very few tourists. This certainly had to do with the unrest in the Middle East. It was truly a gift to be able to admire this city with so few people around.
In Wadi Rum we stayed in one of many tents. We found the camp to be a little disappointing, although staying in the emptiness of the desert was an experience in and of itself.
JORDAN
amman - dead sea - petra - wadi rum
wadi rum
Wadi Rum is also known as Moon Desert and is the largest desert in Jordan. It is a valley consisting of rock walls made of sandstone and granite and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site for a couple of years now.
The silence and emptiness of the immense landscape leaves a strong impression.
We explored the countryside on foot, and by jeep safari
At the end of the day we climbed the rocks to watch the sunset.
