Three Days in Jordan

Author: 100kflyer
Date of Trip: November 2010

We tacked on 3 days in Jordan after spending 2 weeks in Egypt mainly to see Petra. We flew from Cairo to Amman and were met by a representative of Explore Jordan Tours. After converting USD to Jordanian Dinars, he expedited our visa process and we proceeded to pick up out one checked bag ( we had left 2 bags at the Iberotel Hotel near Cairo airport).

We left the airport with our driver/guide Ziyad just before 11 am and our first stop was Madaba to see the ancient mosaic on the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Then a quick stop at a mosaic factory to see how them make them. Our next stop was Mount Nebo. With renovations going on, there was not much to see.

We rushed down hill to the Dead Sea. It was great to float in the water. It was rather oily and very salty. It was difficult to stand up from the floating position. After buying some cosmetics we left around 2 pm for the secenic ride through the mountains to Petra. Our timing was perfect as we stopped in Dana just in time for a spectacular sunset.

We recahed our Movenpick Resort Hotel in Petra around 6 pm or so, checked in and ordered room service.

Our local guide met us in the hotel lobby and we proceeded on horseback to the entrance of the Siq. We walked a lot, took in the magnificent sights, took pictures and videos, and found our way back to the hotel around 1 pm. Too tired to go out to lunch, we ate some bananas acquired at breakfast and rested until 3 pm when we were picked up for a very refreshing Turkish bath.

Once again it was room service, relax, and recharge camera batteries.

Ziyad picked us up at 8 am for the drive to Wadi Rum where we took a 2 hour ride in the desert inan old jeep with a bedouin driver.

Then the long drive up the desert road to Amman airport for the flight back to Cairo. We had to wait in the entrance hall at the airport for an hour before Egypt Air counter was open. We had enough time in the Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge for a snack and internet access.

All in all a short and sweet trip. Ziyad was very friendly and drove well and gave us some information. The trip organized by Explore Jordan was great witha nice car and a lovely hotel. It was a great way to end our Middle East vacation!