One Month in Jordan From North to South (by bike)

So, after one failed attempt during Covid, husband and I came back to Jordan to cycle across the whole country.
I won't wary you with the technical details about the cycling part as it's more for bicycle-related subs, but cycling was probably more damaging for our Jordan experience than otherwise (apart from the very "slow travel" aspect). My feelings are quite bitter-sweet.

The itinerary was: Amman – Jerash – Ajloun – Umm Qays – Salt – Dead Sea – Madaba – Karak – Dana – Petra – Wadi Rum – Aqaba.

The highlights (not a rate):

  1. Definitely Petra. Mesmerizing place.
  2. Umm Quays and its green scenery.
  3. Friendly and helpful people (amazing at which lengths Jordanians go to get you help!)
  4. Food!! Although outside big cities it is mainly falafel sandwiches, I can live on this food forever. Vegetarian-friendly!
  5. Nature, of course. Including Wadi Rum. Nature in Jordan is much more various than what one can imagine!
  6. A huge presence of antic ruins — if it's your thing, you'll be happy.

The downsides:

  1. Extremely littered. Entering the sea meant crossing a barrier of cigarette-buts as an example. In Wadi Rum our guides left trash without any scrupule.
  2. Very few interactions with women (outside big cities) — I really missed women's presence during this month!
  3. Tactless questions about our absence of children going up to suggesting doctor contacts from perfectly random people.
  4. As a person with a username "mother of chickens" I had a hard time to see all shops with chickens stuffed in the cages before getting "prepared" for the customers.
  5. Road safety was meh. Constant honking was mildly infuriating, especially when you are on a bike...
  6. Because of the war tensions, a huge military presence and frequent check-points that were quite disturbing.

I realize how amazing Jordan is and what a diverse and interesting country it is to visit, still, I started appreciating it some time after going there.

If you have any questions, feel free!

The pics:
1-2: Amman
3: Umm Quays, view on Golan Heights
4: Jordan Valley
5: Salt
6-7: Dead Sea
8-9: Madaba
10: Wadi Mujib
11: Seen on the road :)
12-13: Dana Reserve
14-15: Petra
16-17: Wadi Rum
18: Aqaba

Author: motherofchickenskyiv