By Ann-Marie Adams
JORDAN — Jordan is a study in contrast. You’ll notice this when you wander out of the cosmopolitan capital city of Amman and into other areas, especially the ancient city of Petra.
Sure. The Middle East evokes images of Arabian horses galloping across the vast desert that is surrounded by huge boulders and mountains almost touching the cloudless sky. Those images, among others, are hard to let go, even when you’re in the midst of the sight, sounds and smell of Jordan’s antiquity and modernity.
That’s because Jordan simultaneously captivates and confuses the senses. The first sight, capable of overwhelming any sophisticated traveler, is that of Amman at night: lights dot tiered hills that stretch out for miles across the city. The “Great Seven-hill metropolis” is enough to make this visitor tingle with excitement.
Amman is a city appended with all of life’s modernity: posh hotels, trendy bars and hip singles. But it also has traces of antiquity buried amidst limestone houses and asphalt roads lined with kebab stalls. Sightseeing trips in the city can include a visit to the ornate and towering Abu Darwwish Mosque, or the Citadel, also called Jabal al-Qal’ah. The Citadel is a hill with an elongated summit. It once served as a military and religious strategic site in ancient times. Today, this spot, which looms over the 6,000-seat Roman theater and dates back to 170AD, is still used to host events for Jordanians.
A 60-minute drive out of the bustling city brings you close to the eight wonder of the world: Petra, the city of red rocks. It is an ancient and romantic place that captivates and is one of the most visited sites in Jordan. This Rose-Red city is a magnificent sight. But you have to endure a long, rugged journey to see the ancient city that’s carved out of red stone.
The main entrance, called a Siq, was created by nature. The Siq’s walls, which consist of sandstones, were carved over time by water and now serves as a shade from the blistering sun. The passage way is wide at the mouth and narrows as you move closer to “The Treasury of the Pharaoh,” also called El Khazneh. Some choose to get there on foot; others choose to get there on donkeys or camels.
After an arduous trek through the red dessert to Petra, Aqaba will serve as a magical respite for the weary traveler. Aqaba is at the southern tip of Jordan overlooking Egypt and Israel and has its geographic charms: mountains that change colors, crystal clear waters to dive and swim, exotic atmosphere of antiquity renders a magical experience.There, you can stand on a window balcony and gaze at the bright stars or look out at an eclectic city awash with lights. During the day, frolic in the clear, crystal water; dive into the warm, calm sea, or make a small trek down the beach to float in the Dead Sea.
Afterward, consider traveling from Aqaba on a ferry to Egypt Israel or to Saudi Arabia by land. All are within close proximity and can be seen from the coast of Aqaba. Away from the tourist attractions, you can also immerse yourself in the rich culture by mingling with locals in duty-free shops. Overall, this makes for a fantastic experience worth every dime.
Other sites to enjoy are:
The Dead Sea: This is the lowest point of the earth and the most saline sea. The salt content is well over 20 percent and eight times that of most of the world’s ocean. You can float effortlessly in the water or use the mud on its banks to get a face and body treatment. It also has the spiritual legacy of being one of the five biblical centers: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zebouin and Zoar. Wadi Rum. Known as “The valley of the Moon”, the vast landscape is barren, isolated and filled with granite cliffs amidst miles of red desert sand. It is breathtaking.
Mount Nebo: This mountain rises 800 meters at its apex and has been inhabited since the earliest of times. According to legends, Moses stood there after God forbade him to enter the Promised Land. A symbol marks this spot: a snake curled around a cross fashioned from iron and overlooks the vast valley of Jordan.
