Jordan
Famous for its warm hospitality, Jordan is a joy to visit, aside from the fascinating splendours on offer to the visitor. Jordan offers everything from pine forests in the North, through deserts, and eventually to the beautiful coral reefs of the Red Sea at Aquaba in the South. Lawrence of Arabia's desert can be found here, and no one should make a trip to the Middle East without visiting the rose-red city of Petra.
Aquaba
The coast south of Aquaba down to the Saudi border (about 18 km) is one of the world's greatest dive spots. Here, with usually incredible visability, divers can enjoy watching the 1000+ species of fish that the Red Sea boasts.
As well as diving, Aquaba offers a full compliment of hotels, restaurants, cafes, markets, beaches and even archeological sites. Unlike many of the Middle East's diving resorts, Aquaba has quite a great history of its own; it has, on and off, been a maritime trading centre since pre-Roman times.
Diving
All the reefs in and around Aquaba are fringing so can be easily reached by shore. To add to your convenience, most of the centres will offer boat dives as well. Usually divers will be collected from their hotel in the morning and offered two dives in the day with the option of a night dive several times a week.
Famous dive sites here include the "Saudi Border" - a fantastic drift dive, and home to prolific marine life such as Turtles, Rays, Tuna, Jack and even the occasional shark, as well as caverns and large plate corals, and the "Cedar Pride", a Lebanese freighter deliberately sunk in 1986 for the pleasure of divers. She lies 80m long by 20m wide, on her port side in a depth of 12-27m. Living on board are a variety of corals and fish. This has been described as one of the best wreck dives in the world.
Other Attractions
Even the keenest diver in the world should miss a day under the beautiful Red Sea in order to visit Petra; it is, quite simply, spectacular. If you can spend two days there even better, as there is quite a lot to cover. Horses and donkeys are available to make your trip easier - looked after by vets and farriers trained by the Brooke Hospital for Animals.
The Nabateans built the 'Rose Red City of Petra' in the 3rd century BC, carefully located on the trade route between Damascus and Arabia. All carved out of the rock face, this incredible city boasts palaces, temples, tombs and even stables. The most famous of the monuments are the Khazneh (Treasury), appearing in all its splendour at the end of the 2km long siq (leading from the entrance), and also the Monastery - quite an uphill struggle (or donkey ride) but worth it for the view, as well as for the monument itself.
Also in easy reach of Aquaba is Wadi Rum. This awe-inspiring desert is where T.E.Lawrence spent much of his time, and where a lot of the film was made. Visitors can come on foot, 4WD (available to hire) or, of course, on camel.
General Info
Visas
All foreigners need a visa to enter - these are available at all ports of entry and are valid for 2 weeks (easily extendable to 3 months if required).
Currency
Jordanian dinar (JD)
Health risks
No vaccinations essential but it would be advisable to be up to date on hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, tetanus and diphtheria
Time
GMT +2
Weather
Summer baking; winter freezing in the North, pleasant on the Red Sea (cold at night)
Water temp
27°C in September (peak) to a minimum of 18° around Feb
Visibility
35 - 40 metres unless during a late spring plankton bloom (usually only a few days in April - May)
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