On the same trip as Egypt, we crossed the Red Sea to Aqaba, Jordan. The custom clearance was hassle free, and most nationalities got free travel visa for up to 15 days(But the Jordanian embassy in Malaysia told us that visa is required and charged us around RM80!). Just across the border from Egypt, things are so different in Jordan. People are nice, no harassment from street vendors, places are clean but of course cost of living is much higher too.

From Aqaba and along the dead sea, you can see Israel just across the sea. It is amazing to see how near Israel is, and yet the Jordanian people are not allowed to step into Israel! Along Kings highway, there are several checkpoints where the police will check our passports to see if we have been to Israel. And yes, US passports were often being frowned upon.

Jordan, to me, is under-rated. Travelers often give it a skip and head straight for its more significant neighbours. From the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, from natural wonders in the Wadi Rum desert to roman ruins in Jerash, and that jewel hidden in the valley of the crescent moon Petra, Jordan has so much to offer that it deserves much more attention than now.