I have been to Syria and Jordan many times whilst leading overland expeditions from the UK to Egypt and this time was no less interesting than the first. Every time I go I learn an interesting fact about a bygone era. This time though I was lucky enough to visit some of the Beautiful boutique hotels and guesthouses that used to be a family home but have now opened their doors to the discerning traveller eager to explore these fascinating countries.
Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern part of the Syrian Desert down to the Gulf of Aqaba.Jordan has a rich history, its location in the central Middle East has long made it a prized possession. During its long history, Jordan has seen numerous civilisations, including such ancient eastern civilisations as the Sumerian, Akkadian, Israelite, Babylonian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, and Persian empires. Jordan was for a time part of Pharaonic Egypt, and spawned the native Nabatean civilisation that left rich archaeological remains at Petra.
Syria was formerly a French mandate and attained independence in 1946, but can trace its roots to the Eblan civilization in the third millennium BC. Syria’s historic sites rival those of its Middle Eastern neighbours; it also lays claim to the oldest continuously occupied city (Damascus vies for the title with Aleppo), the Crusader castle (Crac des Chevaliers) and the best preserved Roman theatre in Bosra.
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About Richard Wende
Other articles by Richard Wende
I have pretty much spent the last 14 years travelling. In 1995 I felt it was time to explore the world and so I packed my brand new rucksack and headed off out the door. I started independently in New Zealand and Australia heading up towards Thailand and then via Cambodia to Vietnam before Laos and China, Tibet, Nepal and finally on to India. An incredible journey taking 5 years and me to sites such as Mount Everest, The home of the Dali Lama, The Killing Fields of Cambodia and the Great Wall Of China to name but a few.
This wasn’t enough I needed more. After returning home to see what reality was doing I was fortunate enough to be asked to join an Overland company where after being taught how to use a spanner and a hammer I headed back out in a large 18 tonne truck with some eager passengers ready to explore some more.
2000 – 2002 East and South Africa
I spent the next two years leading/driving expeditions through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa (east side via coast to Cape Town). These itineraries would include activities such as tracking the Gorillas in Uganda, leading, driving and coordinating game drives through all national parks (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Chobe, etc), and handling inter-relationships between clients and the indigenous people as well as the various tribes (Masai, Samburu etc).
2002 – 2004 Europe, Turkey Middle East and Central Asia
This time it was the UK departures fast tracking through Europe via Sicily to Tunisia and on by way of Libya to Cairo where I led a ten day programme of the pyramids, Valley of the Kings, down too Abu Simbel.
UK to Cairo via Turkey
Ten days through Europe to Istanbul. Crossing from Dover to France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Greece. Before picking up main group and journeying through Turkey via Goreme and the coast heading south into Syria and Jordan, taking in all the famous land marks en-route and finally to Egypt.
UK to Kyrgyzstan via Iran
An exploratory expedition with ten days in Iran before heading north to Georgia and on through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and finishing with a tour of Kyrgyzstan before heading back to the UK with a new group.
2004 – 2005 South America
Ten months traversing throughout Venezuela and Brazil from Caracas to Rio de Janeiro and vice versa including all major land marks and activities such as camping in the Amazon rain Forest, hiking to Angel Falls, dancing in Salvador and carnival in Rio. Rio to Quito three months co-leading through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Again organizing, booking and participating in all activities such as the Inca trail, the Salt Flats of Bolivia and crossing the Altiplano.
I still have and use that rucksack!
