Jordan
In November 2024 we visited Jordan with a group travel organised by Djoser. Jordan was already a long time on our radar and in summer we decided to book the trip which had all the highlights we had in mind when thinking of Jordan.
During the months leading up to our trip we kept a close eye on travel recommendations for Jordan. Some tour operators cancelled trips and also in early October the airspace was closed for a short period of time. Friends and family were also hesitant about our travel plan. We were safe at all times and met plenty of very friendly Jordan people who were extremely happy to see at least some tourists. They suffer heavily as they depend very much on tourism. We did see some tourists, but this in a very limited amount of them.
The Dead Sea
Floating in the Dead Sea was number 28 on my bucket list, which got ticked off during this trip. We headed to the O Beach resort where we had a nice combination of an infinity pool and access to The Dead Sea in a nice environment. I was so curious about the feeling of floating in the Dead Sea. It’s advised to bring water shoes as there are rocks in the water. You also shouldn’t run into the water but go gently in till your knies are under water. Then turn around, and gently go lie on your back. You will just float, incredible! Don’t splash around as you don’t want the water to get into your eyes. If you do get water in your eyes, do not rub them!
On the internet I had seen statements that you even could read a book while floating in the water, so obviously I wanted to verify that one and I can confirm you can do it. I wouldn’t recommend taking your favorite book, as while navigating in the water the book could easily get in the water 😉
Petra
Petra, probably THE reason why we went to Jordan, as it’s one of the seven new Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra was since quite some time on our travel wish list and we finally could tick it off. You can read all about Petra in our blog post on how to get the most out of one day in Petra.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan. We stayed overnight in the Eco Harb camp, where we were the only tourists. Upon arrival we got a delicious lunch and then we started our excursion with 4 jeeps through the dessert. We had several stops like the “Titantic of Jordan”, Giant tock bridge, bedouin camp, … With our guide we also stopped for 5 minutes of complete silence. An intense feeling in such unique environment and taking the time only with your own thoughts. We ended our jeep ride with an awesome sunset once again in complete silence and isolation. A magical moment.
For dinner we had Zarb, which is a traditional Bedouin style of cooking where marinated meat and vegetables are buried in an oven dug in sandy ground. This method allows the food to slow-cook in its juices, resulting in tender, flavorful meat and perfectly cooked vegetables. After this delicious dish we gather around a camp fire followed by a short walk into the dessert admiring the Milky Way. It was the third time we could see this phenomenon, although it was a lighter variant than previous times.
In the morning there was an option to have a camel ride, but we skipped this one. In spring and summer there is an option to have a hot air balloon ride, but as it was November, this wasn’t offered. A pity as we would have opted in for this experience which must have been awesome. But we’ll keep this one for a next time.
Snorkeling in the Red Sea
We embarked on a boat for a snorkel trip on the Red Sea. It was quite a nice and big boat where everyone of our group could easily find a place to either sit in the shade or lie on a comfortable mattress enjoying the sun while heading for the snorkel spots. It was about an hour to our first spot. The waves were acceptable however the current was not to be underestimated. After some snorkling and spotting some fishes we headed to a second snorkel environment. On both places there was quite some coral and plenty of fishes. It was a pity to see that also a lot of coral had died and was on the bottom on the sea. During the second snorkelling session the crew of the boat was preparing a delicious BBQ which we could enjoy on the upper deck of the boat. With the wind, you might think twice to take too much salad on top of your plate 😉
When we were all set, we headed back to the harbour. We played some music and some people started to dance. It was a great experience, we only missed maybe a drink. It was surreal to get close to the harbour and see on the one side a military boat of Jordan and on the other side a military boat of Israel. Both equipped to be ready. We were in a safe area, but this was one of the moments when the war felt really close by.
Jerash
Jerash is a short drive away from Amman and is known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa just outside the modern city. There are a few very impressive ruins present like the Oval and the Southern Theatre. Here you can find a link to A nice digital map of Jerash. It will take you easily an hour and a half to explore the entire city.
Saraya Beach Club
The last day of our Jordan trip we spent in Saraya Beach Club which you can visit with a day pass. During the situation in the region, the place was almost empty and we had all facilities for ourselves. The staff was still present and did their outmost best to make sure we had a good time. They did such a great job and I wonder how long such club can survive without visitors. As of noon there was a DJ who played great music which brought an awesome vibe over the place. We enjoyed the sun, did some reading in our cabana and had lunch at the pool side. We ended our day in style with a delicious cocktail on the terrace while seeing the sun go down.
Various
During our trip with the bus there were several stops to make the bus trip more enjoyable. A first stop was at Mt. Nebo, where Moses overlooked the “promised land” before he died upon the mountain top. The views are remarkable and you can also visit the memorial Church of Moses, where several mosaics can be seen. In that area you have a lot of handicraft centers where people make mosaics. We visited a centre where disabled people were making mosaics and most of the earnings go to the people themselves.
Another stop was in Madaba, where you can visit the Madaba Mosaic Map, a floor mosaic in the early Byzantine church of Saint George. The mosaic contains the oldest surviving original cartographic depiction of the Holy Land and especially Jerusalem. The map dates to the sixth century AD.
We also briefly stopped at Moses Spring. It is said that Moses passed in Wadi Musa (“Valley of Moses”) and struck water from the rock for his followers at the site of Ain Musa.
