Category: Middle East

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Jordan Middle East Morocco United Arab Emirates

Beautiful Places to Visit in the Middle East

Istanbul Fatih Yuru/Unsplash

I love travelling in the Middle East.  There is always a warm welcome there.  In this post I pick the 10 Most Beautiful Places in the Middle East. By the way, these are some of my most favourite places in the world.  The Middle East is a cradle of human civilization and the birthplace of major monotheisms. It beckons with a rich tapestry of world-famous attractions. From medieval bazaars and historic mosques to untamed deserts and remote oases, the region preserves its cosmopolitan and history-laden past. In this selection of the most beautiful places in the Middle East, we traverse the depths of antiquity to the futuristic skyscrapers.

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Middle East Morocco

ESSAOUIRA, MOROCCO

Essaouira Morocco

The trip from Marrakech to Essaouira was an interesting one.  I had tried to take a bus to Essaouira but found there were no available seats for another two weeks.  So I took a shared taxi with another five Moroccans. It was quite squashed but pleasant enough.

Essaouira, located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, is a charming port town known for its ancient ramparts, traditional architecture, and laid-back vibe. It offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of larger cities, making it an ideal destination for tourists looking to explore Morocco’s unique blend of African and European influences. 

One of the reasons I wanted to visit Essaouira was because Jimi Hendrix spent some time there in the 70s.  I actually searched out the Riad that Hendrix stayed at.  So I booked in and had a wonderful stay.  The name of the accommodation is Riad Al Madina and it was charming with a beautiful courtyard.  The other benefit of visiting Essaouira is that it’s a little cooler than Marrakech so I enjoyed that aspect as well.

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Middle East Morocco

Things to do in Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, located in the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, is one of the country’s most vibrant and exotic cities. Known for its stunning architecture, bustling markets, and rich cultural heritage, Marrakech attracts millions of tourists every year. From exploring the winding streets of the old town to relaxing in one of the city’s many luxurious riads, there is something for everyone in Marrakech.

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Middle East United Arab Emirates

Out & about (and up) in Dubai

You can’t help but notice the Burj Khalifa when you are in Dubai. By the way Burj means tower in Arabic. At around 830 metres high it’s not far off being a kilometre into the air. It dominates the skyline and dwarfs all other buildings.

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the right
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the right

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Jordan Middle East

Petra, Jordan

Petra is extraordinary.

The Treasury, Petra, Jordan
The Treasury, Petra, Jordan

A Swiss chap named Burckhardt rediscovered Petra in 1812 and we are so glad he did.  The first sighting of The Treasury as you reach the end of the Siq is just breathtaking.  The spectacle of the whole site is just wonderful.  When you stop to think of the engineering involved in building such a city built into rock faces and that this occurred around the 3rd century BC it is even more amazing.

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Jordan Middle East

Jordan, November 2015

Floor tile at the Citadel, Amman, Jordan
Floor tile at the Citadel, Amman, Jordan

I was in Jordan during the 2nd week of November 2015. As I was travelling around it became apparent that tourist numbers were down. On enquiring about this I was told that this was their high season but this year it was like a low season in terms of tourist numbers. I asked what their next real low season would be like

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Jordan Middle East

Amman, Jordan

Amman was originally built on seven hills but has now extended to nineteen. It is hard work getting up and down those hills so, depending where you’re heading, you may want to take a taxi. Taxis in Jordan are expensive. There are no train networks in Jordan only taxis, buses and rental cars. From what I have heard rental cars are reasonably priced but you do take your life into your own hands. The driving is pretty crazy. Nobody sticks to lanes. It’s not unusual to see three cars astride in a two lane highway. I have been white knuckled a few times in the taxi with some of their antics. Having said that their system seems to work.

Today I decided to hang out in the downtown area of Amman. I started at the Citadel which sits on the highest jabal (hill) in Amman called Jabal al-Qal’a. Aside from some great sites such as the Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine Church, the Mosque and the Monumental Gateway/Entrance Hall, there were fabulous views of the city.

Temple of Hercules, the Citadel, Amman, Jordan
Temple of Hercules, the Citadel, Amman, Jordan

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Jordan Middle East

Visiting a Bedouin house in Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

On the way to Salman’s house he became very quiet and then said ‘I want to ask you personal question’. I said that this was ok. ‘In Australia’, he began, ‘Is it tradition for woman to marry?’ I indicated that most women, yes, do marry, but not all. ‘You are not married’. This was pretty much a statement and because he seemed worried about this I was a little naughty and said that my husband had died. I feel very guilty about this now. At the time I felt that in Jordan it was hard for many people (especially in rural areas) to  understand the concept of not getting married. For me to say that I don’t want to get married seemed to worry them. I can understand this as it simply is not part of their culture.

Goats wandering around in Wadi Rum
Goats wandering around in Wadi Rum

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Jordan Middle East

Wadi Rum Part 2

Early morning in Wadi Rum, Aqaba Province, Jordan
Early morning in Wadi Rum, Aqaba Province, Jordan

I was woken by the sound of farm animals (roosters and goats) making their morning sounds and got up at about 5.30am to go for a walk. It was still very cold but walking warmed me a little. I couldn’t actually see the sunrise as it was on the other side of the mountain and would have taken me hours to climb over or walk around the mountain. Everywhere there is soft sand that you sink into making walking for me a slow affair. It was wonderful though to watch the sun hit some of the surrounding mountains and then make its way down those mountains as the sun rose.

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Jordan Middle East

Wadi Rum, Jordan Part 1

I had contacted Wild Wadi Rum Desert Adventure website by email and ended up corresponding with a young Bedouin man called Salman. I remember saying at work

‘Guess what I just did at lunchtime?’

No answer.

‘Emailed a Bedouin!’

‘What’s a Bedouin?’, was the answer.

I caught a taxi from Wadi Musa (Petra) to the visitor’s centre at Wadi Rum (it cost JD40 = AUD80) and met Salman who turned out to be a 22 year old Bedouin whose family lived in the Wadi Rum Village. He informed me that the Bedouins don’t really live in Wadi Rum anymore as they have all moved into the village. He was very enthusiastic and told me he had studied at university to become a primary school teacher but had not found work yet.  As we drove out into the wadi (valley) my jaw started to drop. It was both immense and beautiful.

Welcome to Wadi Rum!
Welcome to Wadi Rum!

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