Jordan

[Marvindodgers]

Ever since seeing Raiders Of The Lost Ark as a child I've wanted to visit Jordan and Petra in particular. I was thinking of going in October, but with things getting worse and worse in neighbouring Syria and Jordan being swamped with Syrian refugees, I'm beginning to think this might not be the best time to visit. Anyone been recently or have some advice on Middle East travel in general as it is an area of the world I've never been to?

[greenrat]

Marvindodgers said:

Ever since seeing Raiders Of The Lost Ark as a child I've wanted to visit Jordan and Petra in particular. I was thinking of going in October, but with things getting worse and worse in neighbouring Syria and Jordan being swamped with Syrian refugees, I'm beginning to think this might not be the best time to visit. Anyone been recently or have some advice on Middle East travel in general as it is an area of the world I've never been to?

I am based in Bahrain, but travel extensively. The region as a whole is...confused. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has placed the whole country on heightened alert due to the Iranian situation and the sunni / shi'ire troubles. However, the gulf states other than Bahrain appear to be in denial - UAE, Qatar and Oman seem to be business as usual. Even Yemen seems to have quitened down recently.So the usual personal security advice still applies region-wide. Watch your back, stick to the major tourist traps and avoid crowds. Other than that, it should be fine. I am flying back out next week from UK, and my wife is coming out in October.

Jordan is a little extra tense right now, as you can imagine. There is a significant Saudi presence there (Jordan has been invited to join the GCC and Peninsula Shield), and Iranian comments this week won't have eased the situation at all. I know that Jordanian security force members' leave has been cancelled in some instances. However, internally the Jordanians are well-versed in dealing with the regular influx of refugees - Palestinian, Iraqi and now Syrian. Their national resilience and generosity has to be admired. The UN has always been highly active there (it's the base for their operations in Palestine), and contingency plans are always in place. The Jordanians value their tourist trade and will ensure that the Dead Sea resorts,Petra, Jerash, Azraq, Karak and Aqaba are all well protected, along of course with Amman itself. Unless the FCO advice changes, I'd go.Have a pint in The Grenadier, Amman for me, and let me know if the pub quiz is still on a Friday.

[Marvindodgers]

Thanks for that, very informative. I reckon I'm going to go for it. It's one of those "bucket list" places and I like to tick them off every now and again!