Our driver and friend in Jordan - Bashar
May 21st, 2010, 11:59 AM
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Our driver and friend in Jordan - Bashar
We have recently returned from a 6-day trip to Jordan and we are very pleased to recommend the services of Bashar Herzallah as a driver: [email protected] He is very professional, he has many years of experience in his line of work and in dealing with international customers, and he would certainly assist you in making your visit to Jordan a memorable one.
We are two independent professionals in our mid-50’s who travel extensively and regularly for business and pleasure. Our travel interests are eclectic and include cultural, historical, adventure and relaxation activities. Prior to our trip to Jordan, we had done our research and readings of the places we wanted to visit, so we only needed to hire the services of local guides in Jerash and Petra for any additional information we might’ve missed ourselves. The other locations were easy to visit on our own and didn’t require a guide. We had read about Bashar in other forums so we decided to request and were granted his services for our trip. This arrangement worked really well for us.
To our surprise, Bashar turned out to be more than just a regular driver. In addition to being very professional, reliable, fluent in English and a very skilled driver – who’s always punctual and gets you to your destination through the most efficient venues, he is simply a happy person and has a great sense of humor. His sense of pride for his country and culture is very evident in his conversations, and he was always willing to answer any questions we had about Jordan, its people and its culture - you will certainly learn a lot. He is clear to specify that he is not a guide, but his insight and contribution in making the trip enjoyable and interesting turned out to be even better than having a guide. The facts and figures of a country can be researched and read in books and travel guides, but getting the real insight from the locals and interacting with them is what makes the difference between a regular and a special trip. His recommendations ranged from a particular mountain to climb in the middle of the desert (he even accompanied us), a restaurant to have a delicious Jordanian meal, the perfect place to get free internet connection, a highway that would provide a better view and ride to our next destination and even the right steps for a Bedouin dance!
Our decision to have a driver and a car available for us in Jordan was one of the best ones we had made. Bashar made us our visit stress-free and he made us feel that we were more his friends than his customers. With his assistance, we not only maximized our time navigating efficiently throughout the different sites we had targeted, but we did it in a very fun way.
If you plan to visit Jordan and wish to get to know the country and its people from the perspective of one of its happiest local citizens, I would highly recommend contacting Bashar Herzallah directly at: [email protected] … you won’t be disappointed.
We are two independent professionals in our mid-50’s who travel extensively and regularly for business and pleasure. Our travel interests are eclectic and include cultural, historical, adventure and relaxation activities. Prior to our trip to Jordan, we had done our research and readings of the places we wanted to visit, so we only needed to hire the services of local guides in Jerash and Petra for any additional information we might’ve missed ourselves. The other locations were easy to visit on our own and didn’t require a guide. We had read about Bashar in other forums so we decided to request and were granted his services for our trip. This arrangement worked really well for us.
To our surprise, Bashar turned out to be more than just a regular driver. In addition to being very professional, reliable, fluent in English and a very skilled driver – who’s always punctual and gets you to your destination through the most efficient venues, he is simply a happy person and has a great sense of humor. His sense of pride for his country and culture is very evident in his conversations, and he was always willing to answer any questions we had about Jordan, its people and its culture - you will certainly learn a lot. He is clear to specify that he is not a guide, but his insight and contribution in making the trip enjoyable and interesting turned out to be even better than having a guide. The facts and figures of a country can be researched and read in books and travel guides, but getting the real insight from the locals and interacting with them is what makes the difference between a regular and a special trip. His recommendations ranged from a particular mountain to climb in the middle of the desert (he even accompanied us), a restaurant to have a delicious Jordanian meal, the perfect place to get free internet connection, a highway that would provide a better view and ride to our next destination and even the right steps for a Bedouin dance!
Our decision to have a driver and a car available for us in Jordan was one of the best ones we had made. Bashar made us our visit stress-free and he made us feel that we were more his friends than his customers. With his assistance, we not only maximized our time navigating efficiently throughout the different sites we had targeted, but we did it in a very fun way.
If you plan to visit Jordan and wish to get to know the country and its people from the perspective of one of its happiest local citizens, I would highly recommend contacting Bashar Herzallah directly at: [email protected] … you won’t be disappointed.
May 21st, 2010, 12:22 PM
#2
So glad you enjoyed meeting Bashar - we had an equally wonderful time with Bashar in January 2008 - here is a picture of him!
http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/p...3/dsc09481.jpg
http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/p...3/dsc09481.jpg
May 23rd, 2010, 12:11 PM
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kokoybebe
A couple of weeks ago I posted my repor on Jordan and Syria and I couldn't praise Bashar enough; we were very lucky that he was our driver too... I agree with you and Elizabeth about Bashar. He sure made a huge difference on our trip to Jordan and he gave us a great insite about the country and the people.
Great that you posted his e-mail address since I just forgot to di it.
A couple of weeks ago I posted my repor on Jordan and Syria and I couldn't praise Bashar enough; we were very lucky that he was our driver too... I agree with you and Elizabeth about Bashar. He sure made a huge difference on our trip to Jordan and he gave us a great insite about the country and the people.
Great that you posted his e-mail address since I just forgot to di it.
May 31st, 2010, 02:09 PM
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Did you guys book your own plane tickets and hotels in Jordan and then use Bashar as your means of transportation around Jordan? I'm thinking about visiting Petra in the fall and am not sure if I want to do it through an agency at this point. Thanks.
Jun 1st, 2010, 12:26 PM
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Nov 8th, 2010, 12:52 PM
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I arrived in Jordan two days ago. When I was introduced to my driver, I immediately recognized him from this pictures posted on fodors. I asked him if he knew about the fodors web site, and if he knows that he's on it. He said he does and immediately brought up the name Elizabeth 
Nov 27th, 2010, 07:04 PM
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I will also give Bashar praises. I had seen his info from Elizabeths report and our guide who did all our Egypt/Jordan trip arranged Bashar for us.(Ahmed Hamed Yousif) arranged all-except international flights. Hotels-guides-drivers and Bashar in Jordan.
Bashar was knowledgable-friendly-kind. More like a friend showing us around.
In fact while we were on our Nile cruise our table mates said they had just been to Jordan-we said we would be going there in about 2 weeks-I told them our guides name-they had the same one & said to say hi from Lori & Bill. I am so glad he is busy as he a hard worker. Wish I would have seen this sooner as I would have had you say hi from Don & Chris
Bashar was knowledgable-friendly-kind. More like a friend showing us around.
In fact while we were on our Nile cruise our table mates said they had just been to Jordan-we said we would be going there in about 2 weeks-I told them our guides name-they had the same one & said to say hi from Lori & Bill. I am so glad he is busy as he a hard worker. Wish I would have seen this sooner as I would have had you say hi from Don & Chris
Jan 3rd, 2011, 06:43 PM
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BEWARE Bashar's bait and switch! We just returned from my 3rd trip to Jordan, my husband's first. I wanted him to really appreciate his Jordan experience so, on the basis of these recommendations, I contacted Bashar by email, outlined our itinerary and asked if he would be available. His reply was prompt and affirmative. I exchanged several additional messages with him, including a confirmation on the day of our departure. Imagine my surprise when we arrived in Jordan and found someone very different waiting for us at the airport. This young man said that Bashar was sick but wanted to speak with me. He then called Bashar who told me he had "a cold and flu--you know it's the season" and said that he would be ill the whole week! The replacement driver was prompt and reliable but his English and knowledge were both limited. For this we paid top JD (our original driver booking was 15JD less per day than the price charged by Bashar). I would have canceled on the spot had the logistics of securing a replacement been less complicated. What a disappointment!
Jan 6th, 2011, 06:27 AM
#16
And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
I have corresponded with at least 18 travelers who have hired Bashar; all of whom have been delighted and never has there been a last minute substitution. I think the reasonable assumption here is he was actually sick - it happens to all of us. (although the think the OP should have sought a discount, due to the differing language/knowledge skills of the replacement - that would have been perfectly reasonable)
I have corresponded with at least 18 travelers who have hired Bashar; all of whom have been delighted and never has there been a last minute substitution. I think the reasonable assumption here is he was actually sick - it happens to all of us. (although the think the OP should have sought a discount, due to the differing language/knowledge skills of the replacement - that would have been perfectly reasonable)
Jan 14th, 2011, 04:55 PM
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OH my gosh! I can't imagine a trip to Jordan without Bashar 
I'm sorry that you weren't able to do your trip with him, but after spending time with him I can say that I do honestly believe he was sick. I really trust him!
And as I mentioned in my trip report on Egypt, I was travelling under some unique circumstances, and Bashar was so caring and helpful the entire time. In fact he went out of his way to make sure we were having a wonderful experience despite our difficult situation. I believe our entire time would have been ruined if we had not had someone as wonderful as Bashar to guide us. And yes, as the original poster said- he was very honest about not being a "guide" in the normal sense of having a historian with you, but his contributions were perhaps even more meaningful because we always felt we were getting the inside view. In short, I look at him as a friend and I can't wait to go back and see more of the Middle East with him!
I'm sorry that you weren't able to do your trip with him, but after spending time with him I can say that I do honestly believe he was sick. I really trust him! And as I mentioned in my trip report on Egypt, I was travelling under some unique circumstances, and Bashar was so caring and helpful the entire time. In fact he went out of his way to make sure we were having a wonderful experience despite our difficult situation. I believe our entire time would have been ruined if we had not had someone as wonderful as Bashar to guide us. And yes, as the original poster said- he was very honest about not being a "guide" in the normal sense of having a historian with you, but his contributions were perhaps even more meaningful because we always felt we were getting the inside view. In short, I look at him as a friend and I can't wait to go back and see more of the Middle East with him!
Jan 22nd, 2011, 09:01 PM
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I too am sorry that Bashar was sick and couldn't attend to you. He made our trip. In fact after I got home I had wished I had purchased more of these sand-blown wine glasses. He went to the store-found out how much I wired him the funds and he had the store ship them. You cannot ask for better customer service.Chris
Jan 24th, 2011, 08:20 PM
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What to do now???? I thought I had reserved Bashar for April 30 to take my husband and I and 4 other cruise passengers from Aquaba to Petra and back to the ship. Everything was set, I thought....but today he emails me and says he may not make the journey with my group..."this is his business..we will be safe with his friend..etc."
I have been communicating with him about plans for several weeks and now, I don't know what to do.
HELP...Please.
I have been communicating with him about plans for several weeks and now, I don't know what to do.
HELP...Please.
