We landed in Jordan pretty early in the morning (we flew from Cairo). You can buy a Jordanian visa when you enter (and thankfully pay with your credit card). Jordan is an expensive place to visit since the country has a stronger currency than the US dollar. I should have ordered currency, and brought it with me instead of using the ATM at the airport (I was hit with a lot of fees). We did not take a tour there, but decided to do it alone since we only had a few days, and had researched that Jordan was much safer than Egypt for women to travel. My sister rented a car at the airport, and we had a three hour drive to our hotel in Ma’an where Petra is located. Since we only had a few days in Jordan, we were only able to spend a day at Petra. Our two other days were at a Dead Sea resort. Even though we were so exhausted, we pushed ourselves to go to Petra the same day we arrived in the country. We wanted to leave in the morning since we had another long drive back up north.
When we got to Petra there was a large celebration going in since the site had over a million visitors that same year. My sister and I decided to hire a guide since we had limited time there so we wanted to make the most of it. Plus as women, we wanted to have a male escort (we had a lot of negative experiences with men in Egypt). Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and took us on a two and a half mile hike, advising on the best views and giving us the history of the settlement.
The area where Petra is located has been inhabited since 7000 BC, while the Nabataeans settled around 400 BC (the people that built Petra). Petra was the capital of their kingdom. The structures at Petra were carved from sandstone hills and mountains. The site was a major trading hub, which gained the Nabataeans wealth. By the first century, it became a Roman client state and eventually incorporated into the Roman Empire. The city declined in importance as sea trade routes were established, and then there was a major earthquake. The city became abandoned by the early Islamic era. It was rediscovered by 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, and later became a major tourist attraction. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and considered one of the New7Wonders of the World.
The hike to the site is lovely, and when you pass a narrow gorge, it gives you a peak of the Treasury, the most famous site at Petra. The Treasury was hewn into a sandstone cliff. As you go further on the trail, there is a massive theater that was cut from a hillside, where you will see of view of tombs. The Royal Tomb is incredible. The tombs were cut into the mountains, made from sandstone that is rose colored and captures different colors. The valley opens up with a beautiful view of the ancient site. We walked up to Hadrian Gate where you can see columns that are still standing from the Great Temple. The Bedouin are waiting to offer you refreshment if you get parched. They are a group of nomadic Arab people that are at Petra selling their goods, drinks, snacks, and will take you on camels or mules around the place. They will even do your eyeliner in the style they wear. They make pretty purses and fun camel souvenirs (unfortunately I had no time to shop).
My sister and I stayed past sunset then had to leave since the place was closing. You can also visit Petra at night where candles will guide you. I’m sure it is also very beautiful. When we got to our hotel we had a beer on the rooftop and watched the fireworks at Petra. It was a great way to end an amazing day that was full of wonder. The pictures do not do Petra justice; it is amazing! I can see why it is considered one of the wonders of the world, and definitely recommend you visit.
The next day we checked out of our hotel after breakfast, and were off to the Hilton Dead Sea Resort. We only stopped for gas since we were uncomfortable as female solo travelers. We were so happy to arrive at the resort since it is out of a dream. Security was pretty intense to get inside so it made us feel safe to be in this protected bubble for a couple of days. The pool area is beautiful and looks out into the Dead Sea. We were happy to just be in the pool and unwind after such a busy vacation. The resort was our couple days to relax before heading home, and back to the real world. The pool had a bar where we were able to get tropical drinks. We ate at an Italian restaurant later, and then went back to room to watch Disney movies (the only movies we could find in English) since we were exhausted after the long drive.
The next day we went to swim in the Dead Sea since we wanted to see how it felt to float in it. We even took our book in the water to show that you just float along, and relax without any flotation devices. After some fun in the sea, we went back to the pool since it was heated. Breakfast was epically amazing with such a wide variety of food that we weren’t hungry until dinner time. We had burgers by the pool with some wine, enjoying watching the cats run around. I do recommend you bring bug spray with a higher concentration of DEET since the insect repellent I bought in Egypt would not keep the flies away (they were a big nuisance and why I would not give the place full stars). They do not spray for bugs there, so you will be bombarded by flies. Otherwise, the food, scenery, and pool area were all amazing, and a much needed place to relax.
The next morning we checked out early since we had to return the car first at the airport. We were stopped by police at a checkpoint, but the officer let us go since he didn’t speak English (it was pretty scary). The security to get into the hotel was intense, and we had to wait to even leave. At the airport, our bags were searched by security, but our line was much shorter since we went through as US citizens. We had enough time to eat breakfast at a café. However, we were upset since we could not take water we bought at the airport on the plane. In order to go to our gate there was another checkpoint that you could not leave (no bathrooms there either). We wanted to buy water since we took Royal Jordanian, and they did not pass out water on our way to Egypt so we figured we would bring our own. The flight back was direct but thirteen hours. It seemed like forever. I was so grateful to get home and have someone pick us up. I was pooped, and just wanted to go to bed!
This was such an amazing trip, and I feel such a sense of gratitude that I was able to visit Egypt and Jordan. The world is in a scary place right now, and I’m sad that I cannot plan any trips. I hope this changes, but I understand that precautions must be made. This really was the trip of a lifetime, and writing these posts has helped me while I’ve had to stay indoors due to social distancing. Writing has also helped me relive happy memories, and be hopeful that happier times will return.
If you like my Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.
