-- Note-- I added in a guide to getting the visa for those looking for help. It’s been several years since my last trip to India. In 2007 I made it an important goal to get to Hyderabad India to see my grandfather who was getting up in age. And I’m blessed to have had that opportunity since it was not soon afterwards that he had passed … [Read more...]
Category: Asia
Jordan Travel Guide: Travel Overview
Introduction When I tell people about Jordan, often they ask me, why would you want to go there? But once they learn all the beautiful places and of the hospitable people in the country they seem all the more inspired to visit there soon itself. For such a tumultuous region as well, Jordan appears to be a oasis almost completely unaffected … [Read more...]
7 Tips for Visiting the Desert Castles – Jordan
The Desert Castles and Eastern Desert was one of my most memorable trips I had taken during my stay in Jordan. It felt very remote, very beautiful in the stark landscape of the region. When we went we had no idea what we were doing, and we had prepared as best as we could through research, instinct, and dumb luck. Hopefully these … [Read more...]
Jordan Travel Guide: Jordan Visa Information
On Arrival Visas Many countries have single entry 30 day on arrival visas for Jordan, including USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and generally most western European countries. Some nationalities outside of these areas do need a visa prior to entry and you should consult the embassy for instructions. Visa cost is 40JD (~60 … [Read more...]
Into the Eastern Desert – Qasr-ain
In Arabic the word “Qasr” means palace. These were possibly palaces, although some were mere fortresses, and most were simply lodges and houses, which I guess could be seen as a palace. There were two famous examples on the outskirts of Azraq that see the most tourists (mostly from tour buses from the capital) and we opted to visit these before … [Read more...]
Weather and Wonder in Ajloun Jordan
I walked outside my apartment in the morning, fresh trash strewn on the street in front of my building. The sun was shining and it was already warming up nicely as spring was starting really show itself here in Jordan. I was feeling a bit weighed down by my coat as obviously the weather was only going to get warmer as the day rolled on. As … [Read more...]
Survival Guide for Taxis in Amman (with Language Guide)
"So how was your first day" - I asked L as he beamed a smile at me."Ahh it was great, I went downtown and it was cheap too, only cost 7JD to get there" he replied"7 JD! You got robbed! That's over twice the price" - I angrily retorted He looked quite dejected at having overpaid for something he had imagined he got a good price on. … [Read more...]
Into the Eastern Desert – The Oasis
One of these things doesn’t belong, one of these things is different. If you told me there was this huge Oasis and wetland out here in the eastern desert I would have thought it was an obvious lie. How could there be a wetland in this stark, desolate, black rock desert of Azraq. It seems to go against any normal obvious convention and … [Read more...]
Into the Eastern Desert – The Abandoned City
It is amazing how much there is to do out in the Eastern Desert even writing a lot for Part 1 and Part 2 I still had quite a bit left over for our final bit of time wandering the desert. It wasn’t 40 days but it was longer than any of us had done in the past... The Abandoned City It is amazing really what is out here in the … [Read more...]
Into the Eastern Desert – Part 2
Check out Part 1 here Timing is everything and the skies began to drop rain as we started to leave Burqu for the afternoon. I imagine that rain is perhaps a rare but welcome occurrence out here in the deserts. I don’t know how often they actually do see rain, but for my limited time in Jordan I’ve seen far more than I anticipated I would see. I … [Read more...]
Into the Eastern Desert – Part 1
We’ve been trying for weeks now, maybe even months depending on when you check the calendar, but constantly our plans to explore the eastern desert have been derailed. Lately it’s been constant illnesses but finally it seems that our attempts at herding cats may have paid off this weekend. This is generally the last chance to travel as a group … [Read more...]
Renting a Car in Amman Jordan
There are various ways to rent a car when you are traveling in Jordan. Overall, there is a right way, a wrong way, and a Jordanian way to renting a car in Amman Jordan. There is one I was used to previously, the western car company approach. All the big car companies exist here in Jordan (Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Thrifty) and it operates generally how … [Read more...]
