24
MIDDLE EAST: JORDAN
CRAVING THE
caravan route
tabouleh, kebabs, gorgeous stewed lamb
and baklava pastries smothered in honey
and nuts seemed to be everywhere, and it
was delicious. I also really recommend the
Arab bread, as freshly baked as possible.
One word of warning though – the coffee
Jordan is establishing itself as a popular,
can take some getting used to!
over 2000 years ago, and yet it appears so ■ Did you visit other parts of the
fascinating and safe location for travellers to well preserved. And the fact that the local Middle East? I travelled with my
the Middle East. We met one of them.
people don’t look in the slightest out of wife on Kumuka’s ‘Road to Damascus’
place here just demonstrates the timeless tour which also took in Egypt, giving
B
asking in a time of newfound the really hot weather, which can be nature of Jordan. us the chance to also visit the pyramids
peace and security, there has particularly challenging if you’re fair- ■ What else did you see while you of Giza, Cairo and even enjoy a little
never been a better time to visit skinned like me. It’s still really important were there? Amman, the capital of snorkelling in the Red Sea. For us this
the beautiful and historic Middle though to take protection from the sun Jordan, is certainly worth a couple of days was a great way to experience two similar
Eastern country of Jordan. For DANIEL in the form of a hat, sunglasses and sun of anybody’s time. There’s a fascinating cultures, although each with their own
ARCHER, a recent visit on a Kumuka ‘Road protection cream. mixture of the new and historic, surviving idiosyncrasies. I can’t wait to return and
to Damascus’ tour gave him the chance to ■ What were your fi rst impressions side by side in a unique harmony. It’s here maybe take in Turkey and Syria. ■
fulfi l a lifelong ambition. of Jordan? Just how welcoming the that you can also best see everyday life
■ Why did you travel to Jordan? people are. If you’ve not travelled much going on around you as you sit at a café and
It’s somewhere I’d always wanted to go. before, it can be quite a culture shock, enjoy the gorgeous pastries that seem to be TOP TIPS
I remember as a child reading about the but the people are so friendly, stopping on sale everywhere. ■ Take a sturdy pair of shoes
amazing ancient cities and ruins there, to shake your hand, invite you into I was also really keen to visit the Dead – nearly all the main attractions are
with these magnifi cent remains carved their homes and offer cups of tea. They Sea, another memory from childhood best viewed on foot.
from the sides of mountains, as well as are genuinely pleased to see foreigners books. You hear all the stories about it, that ■ If you’re bathing in the Dead Sea,
the romantic image of living in the desert. visiting their beautiful country and it adds it’s so tranquil and how good it is for your cover up any scratches or cuts as the
Then when I saw the city of Petra in the such a wonderful atmosphere to the place. skin. But it’s not until you take a dip that salt water can make them sting.
fi lm Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it ■ What were the highlights of your you really appreciate the place. It’s so warm ■ Take a bottle with you as the
just added an extra element of mystery and trip? The whole visit was a dream come and relaxing that you can’t help but love the hot weather can mean you’ll need
excitement to the place. true, but for me the city of Petra was the experience, and once you get out your skin plenty of moisture.
■ When did you visit? I’ve travelled real highlight. This has to be one of the feels amazing. ■ If a stranger offers you a cup of
quite a lot around Asia and South America, great remnants of the ancient world and ■ What is the food like? Fantastic! tea, accept it. It’s good manners
so I knew that picking the right time to nothing can really prepare you for its Most of the restaurants have a mixture and a great way to learn about the
visit a new location can make or break grandeur. It’s amazing to think that this of western and eastern cuisine, but for country from a local.
a trip. I chose to visit in April to avoid incredible place was carved out of rock me it had to be the local food. Humous,
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