thursdaysd

"I dont know yet what the plan is for lunch." - unless you like buffets plan to take lunch in with you - your hotel should be willing to pack lunch for you.

Sorry to hear about your foot! Do you travel with a stick? I have a collapsible hiking stick that just fits in my checked bag, and find it really helps - I had no trouble with the trek up to the monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice, although parts of the trail behind the Royal Tombs was difficult - bu i think we had strayed from the real path.

dutyfree

I strongly recommend the Rough Guide-Jordan as your guide for traveling around Jordan. The latest one came out in September 2009. The only thing that we found wrong with it was a recommendation that the"Jordan Museum was wonderful and a must see". The problem was it doesn't open till June 2010?(Real glad we spent cab money and time to go find it?)However, we got great info and restaurant recommendations from the guide that were much appreciated.

We spent two nights in Petra coming in late afternoon from Amman the first night. Our driver took us to Little Petra which was a great introduction that first night before dropping us at the hotel. We then had the whole day in Petra plus the second night. We left the next morning after breakfast for Wadi Rum where we had the jeep tour followed by a desert lunch. Seriously, after walking almost 8 hours in Petra the first day, our whole family agreed that they couldn't have walked the next day there and I had really athletic/fit "in their 20's kids" with me. We were all very exhausted.

LEANNA

Thursdaysd....I now travel w/ a folding cane that I zip out as needed.

But I think a walking stick would be a very very good idea and I will look into one. It would give better support than my cane I think!!!

Have to check out REI huh?

thursdaysd

"Have to check out REI huh?" - that's where mine came from. Very light weight, too.

loru100

Dutyfree, your story about the donkey's is heartbreaking. That's the one thing I hate about travelling...seeing the mistreatment of animals. I saw how poorly the horses/donkeys were treated in Egypt so I would expect no different in Jordan. We plan on going to Jordan this Fall, so I'll be sure and take your advice. I'll probably get myself into trouble because I can't keep my big yap shut when I see someone mistreating an animal!

dutyfree

It was beyond the usual "third world" mistreatment. In fact, between the litter in Wadi Rum and the horrifying treatment to the donkeys in Petra I have a half of mind to write Queen Noor and suggest some things to improve their tourism. I just finished her book "A Leap of Faith" so feel that she might be helpful?

loru100

It wouldn't hurt to try. I fully understand that animals are not viewed the same as they are in the Western world but what is the point of poking a donkey in the eye with a stick? Makes them feel like a big man to kick an animal? Like these poor creatures don't suffer enough? After we returned from India a few years ago I joined the World Society for the Protection of Animals. They build sanctuaries for dancing bears, circus animals, etc. and educate people on how to treat animals. They have gone into Egypt to educate people as well...sounds like they need to go to Jordan too.

thursdaysd

These days you might do better to write to Queen Rania.

dutyfree

I thought since Queen Noor is just a figurehead widow( and ex American) who seems to have more causes these days that she might be the starting point.

thursdaysd

But how much influence does she have in Jordan now? Remember that her son was removed from the succession.

alan43

Hi

Here we are again imposing the "American way" on local people. We stayed in Petra 3 nights and enjoyed it. We did not eat lunch at a buffet but rather a lunch in Wadi Musa. we also ate supper there at different restaurants eating Beduoin food. We ate lunch at our hotel once and not a buffet. Had the supper buffet once and the food was awful at the Movenpick, were we stayed. A great 5 star right at the entrance to Petra.

loru100

So trying to stop someone from beating a defenseless animal is "imposing the American way"? I would think that's just being a decent human being...

Axel2DP

Hello,

Can I get some ideas of how some of you travellers arranged your ride to Petra if you flew into Amman? Did you pre-arrange your itiniary with a travel agency like Lady Egypt prior to flying to Jordan? Did you arrange for a taxi and driver through your Amman's hotel, etc. ? Thanks.