Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Lilslysapper t1_j3us94p wrote

Jordan is such a cool and historic place. I’m glad the military took me there, and I’m hopeful I can go back someday to do more sightseeing. One of the things that stuck out to me was seeing some random Roman-style ruins on the side of the highway. Not a tourist spot, no signs saying what it was, just an ancient settlement lost to time.

254

ElMachoGrande t1_j3vg8ju wrote

I agree. I lived and worked there for a couple of years, and has visited several times since, and will go back again.

Not only is it some amazing geography and history and snorkling, the people are great as well. I've never been to a country (and I've been in 30+ countries) which made me feel so adopted. If I for some reason ever choose to leave Sweden, Jordan will be the place I go to.

My dream is to travel Jordan and revisit all the sites on a motorcycle, and, of course, King's Highway would be a must. I don't know about the legal status of motorcycles there now, though. When I lived there, only government and companies could have motorcycles (an old leftover from the civil war).

Sadly, they miss a lot of tourists. People tend to see the middle east as one place, and don't understand that Jordan is calm, even if there are conflicts in other parts of the middle east. I was in Petra a couple of years after the WTC incident, and there was almost no tourists there. I think I saw less than 10 tourists in an entire day, and before you would see thousands.

I thoroughly recommend visiting. Amman, Petra, Karak, Jerash, King's Highway, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Aqaba. You can see all that in 2 weeks, and it is so much worth it.

98

doylej0011 t1_j3ws50v wrote

Literally did everywhere you listed, tho could go back. No photos online to the immense scale of Petra any justice, I walked around the site for 8+ hours and could have done another whole Day

The most friendly locals of anywhere I've traveled (30+ countries). Great weather, incredible history, good food and super easy to get around. I rented a car and it wasn't to expensive and the roads where better then at home (UK) tho the is a lack of signs for speed bumps, that are just black lumps of tarmac.

Ps. Did see a local on a sport bike on the outskirts of Amman when coming back from Jerash. Tho didn't see any rental motorbikes

21

ElMachoGrande t1_j3wtdjg wrote

> No photos online to the immense scale of Petra any justice, I walked around the site for 8+ hours and could have done another whole Day

I think I've been to Petra 8 times, several of them two days. Still takes my breath away every time.

> I rented a car and it wasn't to expensive and the roads where better then at home (UK) tho the is a lack of signs for speed bumps, that are just black lumps of tarmac.

Highway traffic is simple, but be prepared for tight traffic in Amman. You need to know where you have the corners of your car at all times...

8

doylej0011 t1_j3wzp46 wrote

Agree with the tight traffic in Amman but I rented a small Kia Picanto, pretty similar to the size of car I drive in the UK. Hardest thing was learning to drive with a gear stick on the other side, and a clutch that is so low (mine is on its way out)

I was advised to only drive in and out of Amman by other travelers but found it no where near as headache as they made it out to be. Even got caught in rush hour on my back, just reminded me of UK stop start traffic.

Also the full coverage for my car was pretty reasonable so got it, though didn't need it.

2

ElMachoGrande t1_j3xc8u6 wrote

I find the roundabouts during rush hour the worst.

Then again, taxi is cheap, honest and plenty, so there is little need for a car in Amman.

2

A_Melting_Snowman t1_j3vflcg wrote

You didn't happen to go to Jordan in 2014 with the USMC did you?

6