Nabataean “Rome”: Jordan

Jordan

Whether Jordan's consumption level is high or not is a matter of opinion. The local currency is quite valuable, and the prices of various travel packages are not cheap. But apart from that, you basically don’t have to spend any money, so Jordan can be regarded as a relatively easy country to plan a travel budget.

The currency in circulation in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar, with the currency code JOD. The denominations of the banknotes are 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1. Coins are 1/2 dinar, 1/4 dinar, 10 cents (Piastre), 5 cents (Piastre), 1 cent (Piastre).

Coffee – 3 dinars (Regular Cappuccino)

Bottled water – 0.3 dinar (330ml small bottle)

Beer – 5 dinars (330ml bottle)

Lunch – 6 dinars (Falafel sandwich set)

Dinner – 35 dinars (appetizer+main course+dessert+wine)

Taxi – 20 dinars (Amman Queen Alia International Airport to city center)

Big Mac Set – 5 dinars (cheap + full)

Economy – AUD 100 per person per day (brunch, light restaurant, dinner, public transport and 1 attraction)

Normal – 140 Australian dollars per person per day (simple breakfast, ordinary restaurant for lunch and dinner, taxi fare and 1 attraction fee)

Deluxe – AUD 200 per person per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner at ordinary restaurant, taxi fare and 1-2 attraction fees)

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference only. Sydney Currency Services summarizes the "average daily consumption price" information through the Internet and has been committed to ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of the information. Specific prices, services and specific information may change and cause deviations. "Travel budget per person" is an estimate and does not include air tickets and accommodation costs. Actual expenditures may vary depending on the consumption location, time, and specific content. Sydney Currency Services does not assume any responsibility or loss arising from the discrepancy between the above information and the actual situation.

The first time I learned about the country Jordan was from the junior high school Chinese text "The Dead Sea".

This country is located in western Asia. In the middle of the Great Rift Valley on the border with Israel and Palestine, there is an "ocean" where no aquatic animals swim and there is no grass on the shore, but people can float freely.

The Dead Sea is located in the desert area of ​​Jordan. Due to the hot and arid climate and terrain, the sea level of the Dead Sea is 422 meters lower than the global sea level. The Dead Sea is the deepest point on Earth and is nicknamed the "belly button" of the Earth.

Although the stories in the Bible give the Dead Sea a more legendary account. But in fact, we all know that the Dead Sea is actually an inland saltwater lake.

The mineral content of the Dead Sea water exceeds 30%. After years of sedimentation, the ultra-high mineral content has caused the Dead Sea to be extremely dense. Humans can easily float on the water without sinking. The Dead Sea mud formed by deposited minerals is said to have outstanding beautifying and sterilizing effects. Therefore, it also attracts countless tourists from all over the world to come and enjoy the Dead Sea SPA.

From Google Maps, the Dead Sea is divided into two parts: north and south. The large body of water to the north is the true Dead Sea. And the artificially developed “New Dead Sea” in the south. Both north and south, there are various resort hotels along the Dead Sea. You can choose to stay in your favorite hotel based on your needs and budget.

You ask whylive here? that is because:

There are three treasures in the Dead Sea: sunrise, moonlight and floating.

The sunrise over the DeadSea rises along the eastern mountains. The red morning light illuminates the mountains in the eastern part of the Dead Sea into a silhouette, reflecting the peace and tranquility of the rising sun. From far to near, the water surface shows unique lavender and indigo blue. As the fog dissipates, the mountains on the line between the sea and the sky gradually become clearer, and the clear water waves beat on the shore with the wind. This beautiful sight seems to show infinite hope in the desperate situation of the Dead Sea.

When night falls, the moon rises above the treetops , and the Dead Sea returns to silence. Affected by its geographical location, even though it is located in a desert, the wind blowing along the Great Rift Valley will still break the calmness of the water. Under the quiet night, there are no clouds in the sky, and the bright moonlight shines on the mirror-level sea. The breeze blows, and the mirror-like sea surface filled with light fresh water mist is broken, sparkling waves appear, and the reflections of the moon and stars become lively on the undulating water surface. The poignant and picturesque scenery arouses endless reverie.

Going to the Dead Sea to experience floating for yourself is an item that friends who choose to travel to Jordan cannot refuse. However, due to the unique formation of the Dead Sea, friends who go floating in the Dead Sea are reminded that there are a few essential items that must be included:

1. hand Machine or camera, responsible for taking pictures;

2. Newspaper or magazine, responsible for posing;

3. Sunglasses and sunscreen are responsible for protecting your fragile eyes and skin from the sun;

4. Diving shoes, after all, it still hurts to step barefoot on the shore full of large sea salt crystals.

Of course, swimming in the Dead Sea must be done in moderation, otherwise after a long time, it will be basically the same as salted fish.

Finally, a friendly reminder: Never be unable to contain your excitement and "jump" directly into the Dead Sea. The salinity of the Dead Sea is 8-10 times that of ordinary seawater. If you accidentally splash it into your eyes, it will sting strongly. If there are wounds on the body, it is basically no different from being executed.

If you accidentally take a sip, do you know the bitter taste of eating too much salt?

On July 7, 2007, the Jordanian city of Petra was destroyed together with the Great Wall of China, the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, the Statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in ancient Rome in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India. People around the world selected it as the new 7 wonders of the world.

The ancient city of Petra, known as the "Lost City" and the "Rose Red City", is located in the desert of southern Jordan. Like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, when visiting Petra, you must do your homework in advance.

Come on, we're all ready.

The prosperity and decline of the city of Petra contains the historical changes of the Nabatean Kingdom. The ancient city was built in the 6th century BC and flourished during the reign of King Arates III in the 1st century BC. The territory of the kingdom once extended to Damascus. Its geographical location is at the transit point between Asia, Africa and Europe, and it is a resting place for countless business travel groups. Various products from Arab countries, India, China and Egypt are continuously transported to Damascus and Gaza.

Until the 3rd century AD, with the rise of the Roman Empire and Greek navigation technology, the importance of Petra gradually declined. Although the Kingdom of Jerusalem was established during the Crusades in the 11th century AD, it still regarded the city of Petra as a strategic fortress and ruled it for more than a century. But the clarion call of the Age of Discovery sounded in the 12th century AD. The city of Petra, which once connected the East and the West, was slowly forgotten in history due to the prosperity of maritime transportation, and gradually became a dead city.

Time flies, from the 12th to the 19th century, the nomadic Bedouins protected this legendary ancient city alone and persistently, completely isolating it from the Western world for hundreds of years. It was not until 1812 that the Swiss archaeologist Johann Ludwig Burckhart finally got a glimpse of the ancient city after several twists and turns, and then he unveiled the cultural relics that had been hidden for many years and brought the ancient city of Petra to the world. Revealed to the world again.

Due to historical factors, the architectural styles of Petra are diverse and deeply influenced by Greece and Rome. It also incorporates various elements such as Assyrian culture, Mesopotamian culture and Egyptian culture. The clever Nabateans combined design inspiration from various empires and almost created this great building that has stood for thousands of years.

The most famous thing about the ancient city of Petra is the Siq Snake Path, the Al-Khazneh Temple (Al-Khazneh) at the end of the snake path, and the spectacular ruins of Deir Monastery (Ad-Deir Monastery).

Only when you set foot on the snake path , which is about 1.5 kilometers in length, can you truly stand on the road that entered the ancient city more than 2,000 years ago. The winding snake path is lined with rock walls that have lasted for thousands of years. They have been eroded by wind and rain, forming a spectacle with each step. The rocks on the snake path will change with the lighting at different times and seasons, showing different colors. There are truly different perceptions at different times and from different angles.

At the end of the snake path, what suddenly comes into view is the Kazni Temple of this lost country (according to research, this is both a treasure house and the tomb of the Nabataean King Aretes III). The temple carved into the rock wall reflects the sunlight and forms a unique rose red color - this is also the origin of "Rose Red City" .

Say goodbye to Al-Kazni Temple and continue moving forward. The mysterious Deir Monastery is located on the top of the mountain on the other side and needs to pass through the center of the ancient city of Petra. Climbing up more than 800 stone steps, the full view of Dyer Abbey is finally revealed. This huge building integrated into the mountain rock has gone through more than 2,000 years of wind and rain, and it is still amazing. Compared with the exquisiteness and mystery of the Al-Kazni Temple, the location of the Deir Monastery has a wide view and sharp edges, which makes people admire the creativity of the Nabateans.

Today, the city of Petra has developed more than 800 attractions from the excavated areas (including more than 500 ancient tombs), and there are many routes to explore. There are many ways for tourists to visit the ancient city: hiking, or hire horses and carriages (remember to bargain), etc.

Since the scenic spots are scattered and far apart, in the hot and dry climate of the desert, friends must wear sun protection and bring enough water and food (of course, there are also many Bedouins doing business in the scenic area).

As early as 30 years ago in 1990, a science fiction movie "Total Recall" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone created a realistic Martian landscape for science fiction fans around the world.

Although traveling to Mars is still out of reach today, it is still very easy to "make the most of it" and visit the real-life shooting location of Mark Damon's "The Martian" (except that no one actually grows potatoes here).

The Wadi Rum (Wadi Rum) Red Desert in southern Jordan is a pure sand desert. It is so vast that there are almost no traces of humans. The magnificent miracles are carved by the natural climate and wind and sand. The beauty here feels desolate and majestic. The huge rocks, cliffs, arch bridges and cliff canyons formed over hundreds of millions of years not only attract many extreme enthusiasts, but can also satisfy the dreams of all science fiction fans. The Wadi Rum Desert is also listed as a world natural and cultural heritage because of its unique landforms and cultural background.

Even if you have traveled to Taklimakan or traveled through the Sahara, please do not dismiss this virgin land. The sand and gravel here are rich in iron , and under the sunlight, they appear boundless burgundy red. With the angle of sunlight, the color of the sand sea also changes magically in the early morning and evening.

However, I would like to remind adventurous friends that the geological environment here is really not suitable for ordinary cars to drive in depth. In order to protect this original ecology, the development of resorts and hotels around Wadi Rum has been banned. So do as the Romans do, stay in a tent and watch the stars like other travelers. Just leave the matter of traveling deep into the desert to a local professional desert tour group.

If you want to have an all-round "Mars" experience, please book Wadi Rum night luxury camp (note: this is a hotel that requires reservation at least three months in advance). The “bubble” tents with a sense of technology are arranged in an orderly manner. If it were not for the four-wheel drive vehicles parked around the camp and the air-conditioned hosts behind each bubble, it would be enough to make people forget that this is Jordan and this is the earth.

The most famous and spectacular place in the Wadi Rum Desert is Moon Valley. It got its name from the peaceful and silent landscape that looks like the surface of the moon.

The best way to get around here is:

Three treasures of Moon Valley: camel, jeep and hot air balloon

Camel is not called the "Ship of the Desert" for a reason. For thousands of years, the Bedouin still rely on camels to travel across this vast desert. As the number of tourists increases, locals naturally find ways to make money. If you like to slowly appreciate this amazing workmanship, then following in the footsteps of the "Desert Boat" will definitely be an unforgettable memory.

Jeep Sandbathing is a game for the brave. The four-wheel drive vehicle rides in the desert, with ups and downs just like on the sea. The surrounding sand mountains and boulders of various shapes make people's imagination endless. The colorful sand dunes rise and fall, as if welcoming guests, waiting for friends coming from afar. Climbing high and looking into the distance, you can have a panoramic view of the vast expanse of land. If you can't help but sing a song, then please use all your strength to release your inner cry.

Taking a hot air balloon overlooking the Valley of the Moon in Wadi Rum is also an unforgettable way. Follow the rising sun in the early morning and slowly rise into the sky in a huge colorful hot air balloon, giving you a panoramic view of the boundless beauty. However, due to seasonal influences, hot air balloon activities are only available from April to June and September to December each year, and each hot air balloon can accommodate up to 8 people.

Therefore, make your reservation early.

Um? You said not only "The Martian" was filmed in Wadi Rum? That's right, let's count which movies have been filmed in this desert, shall we?

The list is always growing, so why not give it a try?