CỰC CĂNG VƯỢT BIÊN AI CẬP ĐẾN JORDAN | WADIRUM - PETRA - BIỂN CHẾT - AMMAN - NƠI CHÚA LÀM PHÉP RỬA

Jordan Travel Guide: Visa-Free Entry, Petra, Dead Sea & Amman

Key Concepts:

• Visa-free entry to Aqaba (special economic zone)
• Petra (ancient Nabataean city)
• Wadi Rum (desert landscape)
• Dead Sea (hypersaline lake)
• Amman (capital city)
• Jordan River (baptism site)

1. Getting to Jordan and Visa-Free Entry to Aqaba

• Journey from Egypt: The traveler journeyed from Cairo, Egypt, to Jordan by road to save money, a trip exceeding 12 hours. The route involved crossing the Suez Canal and traversing the Sinai Peninsula.
• Sinai Peninsula Security: The Sinai Peninsula, bordering the Gaza Strip, has strict security measures, including frequent stops and luggage checks by the army.
• Jett Bus Alternative: The Jett bus, a Jordanian company, only runs twice a week, necessitating the use of GoBus to reach the border.
• Ferry to Aqaba: From the border, a ferry (AB Maritme ship) from Taba, Egypt, to Aqaba, Jordan, costs $70. Tickets can be booked online.
• Visa-Free Aqaba: Aqaba is a special economic zone in Jordan that allows visa-free entry for up to 30 days. This applies to travelers arriving by land or sea from Egypt or Saudi Arabia.
• Geolocation Issues: Geolocation services in Aqaba are unreliable due to signal blocking by Israel, causing inaccurate positioning on Google Maps.

2. Wadi Rum Desert Experience

• Location and Access: Wadi Rum is a remote desert located approximately 60km from Aqaba and 100km from Petra.
• Entrance Fee: The entrance fee to Wadi Rum is about 250,000 VND per person.
• Accommodation: Luxurious tents are available for overnight stays in the desert, offering a fully equipped experience. Reservations should be made in advance.
• Bedouin Culture: Wadi Rum is inhabited by Bedouins, nomadic Arab herders who have lived in the desert for thousands of years.
• Desert Climate: The desert experiences cold temperatures at night, especially during the low season (winter).
• Meals: Meals, including Jordanian specialties like stir-fried rice with chicken, are provided as part of the desert experience.
• Cost: Accommodation in Wadi Rum can cost around 40 Jordanian Dinar (approximately 1.4 million VND).

3. Exploring Petra: The Ancient Nabataean City

• Location and Access: Petra is an ancient city of the Nabataean people. Buses are available from Wadi Rum.
• Ticket Price: The entrance ticket to Petra costs nearly 1,700,000 VND.
• Back Gate Strategy: The traveler recommends entering through the back gate to save time and avoid retracing the same route.
• Nabataean Kingdom: Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom around the second century BC, existing for about 300 years.
• Roman Influence: The Romans occupied the area around the first century AD, leaving behind Roman architectural influences.
• Tombs and Royal Tombs: Petra features numerous tombs carved into cliffs, including royal tombs designed like palaces.
• Red Rose City: Petra is known as the "city of Red Roses" due to its red sandstone carvings.
• Earthquake and Abandonment: An earthquake around the 3rd century AD led to the city's abandonment for approximately 500 years.
• Rediscovery: A Swiss person rediscovered Petra, leading to its fame.
• Canyons and Temple: The site includes scenic canyons and a well-preserved temple, often referred to as Petra's treasure.
• Photography: Camel photography is a popular activity at the temple, costing around 200,000 VND.
• Night Visit: Petra offers night visits on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, featuring candlelit pathways and stargazing.
• Nabataean Wealth: The Nabataean people were wealthy due to trading medicinal herbs, incense, agarwood, fabrics, and water.

4. Religious Sites: Jordan River and Dead Sea

• Jordan River Baptism Site: The Jordan River is a holy site for Catholics and Jews, believed to be the location where Jesus performed the purification ritual.
• Border Location: The Jordan River divides Israel and Jordan.
• Monuments: The site features numerous monuments built by Greek Orthodoxy.
• Dead Sea Location: The Dead Sea is located between Jordan, Israel, and Palestine.
• Hypersalinity: The Dead Sea is a closed salt lake with the highest salinity in the world, approximately 10 times saltier than the ocean.
• Floating Experience: The high salt content allows people to float effortlessly in the Dead Sea.
• Mineral Accumulation: Salt and minerals accumulate over time due to water evaporation.
• Amman Beach: Amman Beach is a popular spot on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea.
• Hot Springs: Hot spring lakes are located about 15-20km from the Dead Sea, offering a warm bathing experience.

5. Amman: The Capital City

• Cityscape: Amman is characterized by slopes and high-rise buildings.
• Roman Relics: The city features relics from the Roman era.
• Fruit Market: The central fruit market in Amman is clean and well-maintained.
• Pricing: Prices in Amman are comparable to those in Europe.
• Charity Restaurant: A charity restaurant near the Cathedral offers free meals.
• Meeting a Vietnamese Expatriate: The traveler met a Vietnamese expatriate named Le Minh Chau (Yusuf), who has lived in Jordan since 1976 and is married to a mixed-race woman.

6. Conclusion

Jordan offers a diverse range of experiences, from the visa-free entry to Aqaba, the historical wonders of Petra, the unique landscape of Wadi Rum, the religious significance of the Jordan River, and the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. Despite the high prices and regional instability, Jordan leaves a lasting impression with its people, scenery, and heritage.