One of the things a lot of tourists don’t end up seeing is the absolutely beautiful city of As-Salt that sits nearby as basically a suburb of the larger Amman. What even fewer realize is that As-Salt was actually the first capital and probably one of the most beautiful cities in all of Jordan. So I wanted to share a few of the photos and … [Read more...]
Category: Asia
Indian Visa Process: BLS International
I get a lot of emails for support on getting a Indian Visa, and a lot of notes about my difficulty from before. So I figured I would try to pull together some tips and a guide for getting the Visa to help avoid some of the issues. These steps focus on a Tourist Visa applied for in USA, since that is where I have the experience. I have … [Read more...]
First Time Travelers Guide to Tokyo Japan
I start to realize that after having been to the city several times there are many things I had to learn along the way to make the most of my stay and help prevent from getting lost or in trouble. I was also recently running off a list of things to some coworkers who are heading there recently on how to get by and maybe it would help some other … [Read more...]
Getting a Indian Visa with BLS International
-- 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...]
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...]
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...]