For my Jordan adventure, I share my personal experience of travelling alone in Jordan where I visited the Dead Sea and spent time in the capital, Amman.
Salam Amman
The capital, Amman
The city centre in Amman is actually quite small. You can walk around it in less than a day and see all of the sights on foot. The Turkish Mosque is a must-see, beautifully decorated, you cannot actually go inside but just gawp at its stunning design from the outskirts.
The pretty Turkish mosque
The Roman Theatre is a great architectural feat. Sit and observe how it must have been back in the Gladiator days. There's even a folklore museum where the lions used to be kept until released in the arena for battle.
The Roman Theatre
The Citadel sits on a hill above the city and is the perfect place for panoramic views of Amman. It's peaceful, historic and the best place to people-watch. The museum has artefacts dating back centuries and will take you back through the years, teaching you all about Islamic and Jordanian culture.
The Citadel
On The Verge of a Revolution?
The mood has changed. The tyres burning in the middle of the road are an indication of the unrest in the town. We all reach for our scarves and wrap them around our heads careful not to draw attention to ourselves. People line the street chanting and waving sticks. We drive past slowly, one of the party taking pictures from the window.
‘Put it away,' says another.
We drive through the small town in silence. None of us wanting to say anything. This is the second protest we have seen in less than an hour.
There are protests happening across the country of Jordan in reaction to the sudden increase in the price of fuel. The people are not happy with the decision and two cars have been set alight in my next port of call.
Flames block the road
Last night I received a call from the manager of the hotel I was staying at.
‘You cannot travel tomorrow,' he says. ‘It is too dangerous for a woman by herself. We cannot take you to Karak.'
I go to sleep and wonder how I going to get back to Amman when I wake. Luckily I am not alone, an American family I have been to Petra with is heading in the same direction. They give me a ride and I am so grateful that I am not alone.
As we approach Jordan's capital, the Foreign Office warns of protests in the city and all entry is blocked. I am invited to stay with the American family on the outskirts. The news is calling it the beginning of an uprising in the last neutral Arab state. How true this is, we do not know.
What happens tonight will reveal whether I have just witnessed the start of a revolution or just a day of angry protests.
Either way, I am glad that my Jordan adventure finishes tomorrow…
To read more: Protests Erupt in Jordan After Fuel Prices Rise
Roman ruins in Jerash
The Final Hours of My Jordan Adventure
Wow, what a day my final day in Jordan has been. Haven waked ready to leave this turbulent country, I am now sad to depart.
With only one day left I had to see as much as I could in my last remaining hours, and despite warnings from the foreign office to stay away from tourist areas, I hired a driver (who doubled up as my own personal tour guide) and did a ‘Challenge Anneka' around of the rest of Jordan, avoiding the main hotspots.
The black and white amphitheatre
My first stop on my Jordan adventure was Jerash – the second most popular tourist destination after Petra, known as a ‘Rome away from Rome' with its ancient Roman ruins.
But there was no time to stop and marvel at these ancient ruins as it was time to head further north through Mediterranean scenery to the ancient town of Umm Qais. Past olive groves, citrus fruits and banana plantations to an old Roman town 378 metres above sea level that used to serve as a key trading route from Syria to Palestine.
At one point we were only 30 minutes away from the Syrian border and less than 2 hours from its capital, Damascus.
The way to Syria
Umm Qais is 110km north of Amman and is the perfect viewpoint to see the surrounding borders; the Sea of Galilee in Israel, Syria and Lebanon. The old Decapolis city is made out of black basalt and is the only place that has a black-and-white amphitheatre and church.
For anyone visiting Jordan, this place is a must-see and shouldn't be overlooked.
Syria and Lebanon
Then we drove south through Jordan Valley to the creme de la creme – the Dead Sea! I was not going to go home without floating in that baby!
Ruins of the basalt church
With only 45 minutes until I had to leave for the airport, I threw myself straight into the lowest spot on Earth and bobbed about, smiling and laughing at the dead sea monsters entering the sea (careful not to swallow any salt). The Dead Sea is lined with luxurious 5-star hotels all cashing in on its natural health spa properties. Some even charge the equivalent of £50 for access to their private sections of the sea. As a backpacker, I chose Amman Beach, a private beach that is more suited to a traveller's budget of £15.
You may need a magnifying glass but I'm one waving
With the sun beating down and cooking my face, it was time to wash off my salty muddy mask before heading off to the airport. Just before I was in the safety of the airport, we passed the burnt-out embers of a car in the motorway – evidence of the protests the day before. Eight hours after my tour began, I left Jordan happy that I had accomplished my sightseeing mission and happy that I was still in one piece.
Do I look gorgeous yet?
Tours To Jordan
For my Jordan adventure, I travelled here independently but Jordan can be slightly challenging to get around by yourself so you may feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration. G Adventures is a responsible tour company which mainly caters towards budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your trip you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when you’re there.
Adventures start from a 4-day Explore Petra & Wadi Rum Independent Adventure, a G Adventures highlights of Jordan trip for 8 days starting and ending in Amman, to a 22-day G Adventures Egypt and Jordan trip including Israel. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female-friendly company.
* Check prices, dates and itineraries for Jordan tours
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