Jaw-dropping Jordan

There is life beyond the Dead Sea and the ancient city of Petra, writes Mrudula Prasad

Lost city of Petra. Credit: Mrudula Prasad.

Temple of Hercules. Credit: Mrudula Prasad.

Through the camel’s eyes. Credit: Mrudula Prasad.

Wadi Rum. Credit: Mrudula Prasad.

Jordan has so much character; it let me step back in time while I explored the Roman ruins, experienced a traditional desert life in a Bedouin camp, roamed the wilderness of Wadi Rum desert, dived into the Red Sea to see some of the finest corals and fishes and walked in the footsteps of Nabateans who dwelled in the ancient city of Petra, centuries ago.

The ancient city of Petra

My eyes sparkled with anticipation as I walked through the Siq, a narrow gorge naturally formed with twists and turns. With smelly horse-ridden carriages passing me by, I marvelled at the Nabateans (Arabian nomads) way of life back in 1st century B.C. A well-planned water channel, a merchant dressed in Egyptian styled clothing, leading camels, a shrine and a lot more etched into the Sandstone Mountains soaring high up into the sky.

Magic unfolded when I thought the gorge could not possibly take me any further. The facade of the Treasury, the most magnificent structure in all of Petra, was in plain sight.

Hidden high amongst the hills are tombs, façades, theatre, temples, a dam, the high place of sacrifice, and a monastery, which is one of the largest monuments in Petra. Beyond the monastery are stunning views overlooking Jordan and Israel. I marvelled at this man-made wonder on foot sipping a hot cup of tea or salivating on the best hand-pressed pomegranate juice.

Petra by night

Organised three times a week, Petra by Night is a short but quaint experience. I walked through the Siq one more time, on a candle-lit paper bag path. This time I only had the burning flames and stars for company. I heard a flute being played in the distance, so melodious that I thought it was a tribute to all the Nabateans who once lived in the ancient city. The facade revealed itself one more time, in darkness, but glowing so bright from the thousand candles burning below.

The Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum

After exploring Petra, I sat in an open-top 4x4, holding tightly, as we were entering the orange desert, aptly called Mars on earth. As we drove deep into the desert, I saw mere vastness, sandstone mountains soaring high up into the blue skies, naturally formed arches, canyons, an occasional sand dune and camels strolling in their natural habitat. It was one of the best cosmic views I have visited where the mountains seemed to go on forever, in all directions.

As dusk fell upon us, I sat with the Bedouins, listening to their music and fascinating stories, lying down under a starry sky. Shooting stars and the milky way also kept me company. One of my best travelling experiences.

Dead Sea, a Salt Lake, also the lowest point on earth is shaped beautifully with salt formations. No visit to Jordan is complete without floating in the Dead Sea. I watched the sun set on the other side while I floated effortlessly, coating myself with therapeutic Dead Sea mud.

Mesmerising Red Sea

Aqaba, an hour’s drive from Wadi Rum, is perched on the northeastern shores of the Red Sea. I hired a guide (can’t swim to save my life) who agreed to take me along snorkelling for an hour. As I held onto his arm, trusting him with my life, while he swam, I realised that it was going to be a mesmerising hour! I spotted a riot of colours underwater. The corals were as bright as its fishes, schools of fish swam across in a kaleidoscope of colours with vivid coral gardens hanging down from the caverns.

The Roman ruins of Jerash

An intriguing city, built using thousands of pillars, this is one of the best-preserved ruins in the world.

It is a classic display of Roman architecture which teleported me to an evening in the Roman empire. As I walked through Hadrian’s Arch, I got my first glimpse of how vast and extensive Jerash was back in the day. The seemingly endless array of columns, the oval-shaped plaza in the heart of the city, the Temple of Zeus, a Roman amphitheatre and much more.

As I explored the ancient city’s colonnade situated in the foreground and the modern city in the background, I wondered how this awe-inspiring ruin is Jordan’s most underrated sight.

Visit Jordan, it will leave you spellbound and in awe, as it did to me.