The Amazing Jordan

by MatchaMe - June 29, 2017

Every country in this universe has its own uniqueness that can attract people to visit, one of them is Jordan. Furthemore, every country has its own history to be remembered. So does Jordan. A brief history you should know before visit Jordan, following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the Leagued of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s. The area ganied its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashmite Kingdom of Jordan. The country ‘s long-time ruler, King Hussein (1953-99), successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), Varios Arab states, Israel, and a large internal palestinian populations. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. King Hussein in 1988 permanently relinquieshed Jordanian claims to the Wast Bank, in 1994 he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King Abdallah II, King Hussein’s eldest son, assumed the throne following his father death in 1999. He implemented modest political and economic reforms, but in the wake of the 2011 “Arab Revolution” across the Middle East, Jordanians continue to press for further political liberalization, government reforms, and economic improvements. Jordan held a nonpermanent seat on the UN security Council for the 2014-2015 term.

Located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, Jordan is an Arab kingdom in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Iraq to the north-east, Syiria to the north, Israel, Palestine and the Dead Sea to the west and Red Sea in its extreme south-west. Its capital, Amman, is Jordan’s most populous city as well as the country’s economic, political, and cultural centre. As its place located strategically, there some reason reason why you should visit Jordan.

First, the best reason to visit Jordan is without no doubt the most well known. To tour the incredible city of Petra. When you decide to do the Petra night tour, hundreds of candles illuminating the mile through the siq, culminating with a fully lit up treasury definitely goes down in history. However, there’s so much more. You can easily spend a week hiking through Petra. If you exeperience this, you will say Jordan is amazing over and over again.

Second, the amazing Jordanians. You must be meet nice people wherever you go, but both times you visit Jordan, you will be impressed with the extreme kindness and generosity of the Jordanians. There are few places around the world where the citizens are as warm and hospitable as they are here. Without exaggeration, everyone you meet will first try to feed you and then try to help make sure you are enjoying yourself as much as possible.

Third, Wadi Rum. One of the highlights of any trip to Jordan is spending time in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage recognized desert of Wadi Rum. This area has been used for thousands of years, from ancient traders to Lawrence of Arabia. Today tourists are the ones following the ancient paths through the bright orange sand, to marvel at the bizarrely beautiful landscapes found around the region. Wadi Rum is often used in movies as a stand in for the moon or Mars and with good reason, the landscape is decidedly alien. The best way to experience Wadi Rum is by staying at one of the luxury tented Bedouin camps and then joining them for daily activities in the desert. The camp is a big part of the experience and there’s nothing like sitting by the fire, enjoying a delicious meal and listening to beautiful Bedouin ballads being played by expert musicians. With a canopy of stars overhead, there’s nothing better.

Fourth, Dana Biosphere Reserve and the Feynan Ecolodge. You might be surprised to learn that Jordan is home to one of the top ecolodges in the world, the Feynan Ecolodge. Built in the massive and gorgeous Dana Biosphere Reserve, the resort is completely off the grid and generates its own power for everything from hot water to nightlights. Getting there is half the fun though and many guests elect to hike a strenuous 16-kilometer trail through the reserve to Feynan. It’s one of those things everyone should try once and is the perfect introduction to the philosophy behind Feynan itself.

Fifth, Experience the sensation of floating in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water on Earth. It’s also the lowest point on Earth. If this information is not enough to get you excited about visiting, how about the fact that because of its extremely high salt content when you get in the water you actually float. Actually, that is how it got its name. There are so much salt, nothing can live in the water, hence the name, the Dead Sea. However, you should experience this when you visit Jordan.

Sixth, get as close to Mars as possible on Earth. Have you ever wonder what it would feel like to walk on the surface of Mars? I’m pretty sure it would be alot like walking through the desert canyons of Wadi Rum. One important information on this part is that almost any movies that you have seen about Mars had at least some of its scenes filmed in this region of Jordan as i told you in the third reason. You can imagine what it would be like to fall from the sky over a ginat red rock that is completely different from anything you have seen in the states. That is what you will able to do. If you consider to visit, try this and you will not regret.

Seventh, world class street cafes. As I told before that Amman, the capital city of Jordan, is the centre of many aspects. Amman will not dissapoint you, the first thing you can do after arriving in Amman is pop into a street side cafes. In waiters of the cafes are so friendly. Sitting in street cafes is one of the best ways you can do to see what a city is all about. Whether it’s talking with people around you or simply watching the routines and tranditions of those around you. Here, you can find spot to hangout for an hour and simply enjoy your surroundings.

Ninth, experiences the Middle East without the danger. Some of us might hear on the news about how dangerous it is in Jordan. But, do you know the reality? It is pretty dangerous over some places in Middle East, but it’s not in Jordan. Jordan is a bit safe from the violence that news spread out about. Jordan is on friendly terms with everyone that surrounds them, making it the safest destination to travel to in Middle East. Tourists who experienced there will say that they never feel unsafe, and in fact they feel much more comfortable. So, if this has been a concern for you and your reason why you have not ventured out into that part of the world, you should definetely reconsider your reason.

Jordan is truly one of amazing countries on Earth. It has its own uniqueness which obviously can attract people to come and visit. So many reasons why you should visit Jordan. Once you visit and experience all the little things in Jordan, you will not regret and want to come back over and over again.