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Lilslysapper t1_j3us94p wrote

Jordan is such a cool and historic place. I’m glad the military took me there, and I’m hopeful I can go back someday to do more sightseeing. One of the things that stuck out to me was seeing some random Roman-style ruins on the side of the highway. Not a tourist spot, no signs saying what it was, just an ancient settlement lost to time.

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ElMachoGrande t1_j3vg8ju wrote

I agree. I lived and worked there for a couple of years, and has visited several times since, and will go back again.

Not only is it some amazing geography and history and snorkling, the people are great as well. I've never been to a country (and I've been in 30+ countries) which made me feel so adopted. If I for some reason ever choose to leave Sweden, Jordan will be the place I go to.

My dream is to travel Jordan and revisit all the sites on a motorcycle, and, of course, King's Highway would be a must. I don't know about the legal status of motorcycles there now, though. When I lived there, only government and companies could have motorcycles (an old leftover from the civil war).

Sadly, they miss a lot of tourists. People tend to see the middle east as one place, and don't understand that Jordan is calm, even if there are conflicts in other parts of the middle east. I was in Petra a couple of years after the WTC incident, and there was almost no tourists there. I think I saw less than 10 tourists in an entire day, and before you would see thousands.

I thoroughly recommend visiting. Amman, Petra, Karak, Jerash, King's Highway, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Aqaba. You can see all that in 2 weeks, and it is so much worth it.

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doylej0011 t1_j3ws50v wrote

Literally did everywhere you listed, tho could go back. No photos online to the immense scale of Petra any justice, I walked around the site for 8+ hours and could have done another whole Day

The most friendly locals of anywhere I've traveled (30+ countries). Great weather, incredible history, good food and super easy to get around. I rented a car and it wasn't to expensive and the roads where better then at home (UK) tho the is a lack of signs for speed bumps, that are just black lumps of tarmac.

Ps. Did see a local on a sport bike on the outskirts of Amman when coming back from Jerash. Tho didn't see any rental motorbikes

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ElMachoGrande t1_j3wtdjg wrote

> No photos online to the immense scale of Petra any justice, I walked around the site for 8+ hours and could have done another whole Day

I think I've been to Petra 8 times, several of them two days. Still takes my breath away every time.

> I rented a car and it wasn't to expensive and the roads where better then at home (UK) tho the is a lack of signs for speed bumps, that are just black lumps of tarmac.

Highway traffic is simple, but be prepared for tight traffic in Amman. You need to know where you have the corners of your car at all times...

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doylej0011 t1_j3wzp46 wrote

Agree with the tight traffic in Amman but I rented a small Kia Picanto, pretty similar to the size of car I drive in the UK. Hardest thing was learning to drive with a gear stick on the other side, and a clutch that is so low (mine is on its way out)

I was advised to only drive in and out of Amman by other travelers but found it no where near as headache as they made it out to be. Even got caught in rush hour on my back, just reminded me of UK stop start traffic.

Also the full coverage for my car was pretty reasonable so got it, though didn't need it.

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ElMachoGrande t1_j3xc8u6 wrote

I find the roundabouts during rush hour the worst.

Then again, taxi is cheap, honest and plenty, so there is little need for a car in Amman.

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A_Melting_Snowman t1_j3vflcg wrote

You didn't happen to go to Jordan in 2014 with the USMC did you?

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Toxicseagull t1_j3utp1m wrote

A wonderful country to visit (although easier as a guy given the culture). I've driven this road and greatly enjoyed it. One of my favourite experiences.

Kerak castle is fun to explore as well

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doylej0011 t1_j3wt76v wrote

Traveled there last year and met a few women traveling, either with friends male and female or solo. They had no issues, and most of the time didn't have to cover up. Saw plenty of tourists in shorts and shoulders showing. Depending on where you go maybe be a little more mindful of what your wareing but tourists in Petra, Aquaba, Jerash and wadi rum where dressed just like any tourist spot I've been to in the world.

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ElMachoGrande t1_j3wug7d wrote

Yep, Jordan is very safe. You can walk around anywhere in Amman, at any time, and the only reason someone would approach you would be to ask if you needed assistance, and they would mean it. I've had a car drive in front of my taxi to guide it, halfway across Amman, when the taxi driver was unclear of where I wanted to go, and the car driver didn't even accept compensation from me...

Shorts are OK, but expect a few odd looks outside Aqaba and the tourist sites. Not because they are immodest, but because they are kind of seen as children's clothes or sports clothes.

Apart from that, T-shirt will work just fun (but watch out for the sun).

If you enter a mosque, you should of course cover up as a sign of respect, just like you would in a cathedral.

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Toxicseagull t1_j3wv8fl wrote

Depends where you go yes but I wasn't talking about dress codes. I know one friend who was severely hassled in some places and 2 who were actually assaulted and were lucky to not be injured by a crowd of armed men whilst hiking the Jordan trail. They cancelled the rest of the hike and came home and had to go for therapy.

I actually met my last gf there, who was solo travelling as well but I'm not going to suggest guys have the same experience or safety concerns as women there. I love the place and I've travelled all over the wider area but I'm not blind.

It's not India/Pakistan or Egypt levels but it's still something to be aware of.

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carlod95 t1_j3v6aqt wrote

I’m so happy, I’m traveling right now in Jordan along the Kings highway and I’m currently in Madaba! Can confirm that it is really an awesome and extremely welcoming place!

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Severax t1_j3wt6tj wrote

I was there this time last month! I enjoyed my time in Jordan and would not mind visiting again, but it's very middle-of-the-pack on my list of countries to re-visit

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nanoH2O t1_j3xnqxk wrote

What's your top 3?

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Severax t1_j3ybltq wrote

####TL;DR, to re-visit and barring large countries: Argentina, Morocco, and Portugal

Top 3 in general or to re-visit?

For example, Iceland is one of the top for sightseeing nature but it's not high on my list to re-visit as I've already been thrice (once was before it blew up on social media so it was empty of tourists but the infrastructure wasn't nearly as good as now). My proximity to places visited also factors into how low it is placed in places to re-visit. EG., I love theme and amusement parks but Florida (more on this vs. US later) won't necessarily be high on the list since it's in relatively close proximity.

Additionally, everyone travels differently. Some go primarily for natural beauty, others for history, to party, for relaxation, etc.

Then how would you even rank them? The amount of breathtaking sights and experiences is the first to come to mind. If that's the metric, I think it's unfair for the large countries such as Canada/China/US as they have such a wide variety of diverse landscapes (and in the case of old civilizations like China, history) but are clearly infeasible to see it all unless you take months off work. As such, I like to separate the provinces/states into their own "country" since, as a more extreme example, the province of Québec can fit France, Spain, Germany, and Belgium within it. Otherwise the top 3 in general would probably be...Canada, China, and US lol if I had unlimited time and funds.

Anyways, back on topic and with my country restrictions. These three countries I've only ever visited once, have very distinct atmospheres, stayed between 1-2 weeks in each, loved my entire time in them, and would not hesitate to go again if asked (in alphabetical order as I'm sure you can tell by now): Argentina, Morocco, and Portugal

Edit: Yes, Canada and US also has history but in terms of structures, there's something different between standing in front of the 2,000+ year old Al-Khazneh and the 137 year old Statue of Liberty

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