| As an avid traveller, there are five countries that | | | | without getting it wet. Again, don't plan on a flying |
| stand out in my experience as places you really | | | | visit, to do Jordan justice you should be thinking |
| ought to make an effort to visit if at all possible. | | | | of ten days. |
| Here they are, together with my reasons. | | | | 4. Hong Kong: An amazing, frenetic, bustling place |
| 1. Egypt: The Pyramids, of course, King | | | | that fortunately has been pretty much left as it |
| Tutenkhamens Tomb, The Valley of The Kings. | | | | was by the Chinese since the end of the British |
| Wonderful places in their own right, but it's not all | | | | lease in 1997. |
| about artefacts and spectacular buldings etc. The | | | | As everyone knows, Hong Kong is the place to |
| Egyptian people are generous, kind, and | | | | shop. Wander along Nathan Road and visit Temple |
| welcoming. Happy to share anything, even if they | | | | Street Market for some teriffic bargains. Don't |
| have very little themselves. | | | | forget that the asking price is a starting price, and |
| Try a trip on the Nile in a felucca (traditional | | | | haggling is the name of the game. You'll probably |
| wooden sailing boat). Late afternoon is best, when | | | | get to enjoy it, as the chinese do. |
| you can experience the setting sun. | | | | As well as being a hustling metropolis, there is a |
| 2. China: Not somewhere that immediately springs | | | | wealth of tradition in Hong Kong too. A trip to |
| to mind when planning a travelling trip, but you | | | | Victoria Peak is a must do, although the weather |
| really should, and it is becoming more popular as a | | | | does not always let you take advantage of the |
| destination, particularly since the Beijing olympics. | | | | spectacular views. But ever enterprising, you will |
| Plan for a minimum of 7 days, a fortnight would | | | | find locals at the top who will take your picture |
| be better. Take in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai (great | | | | and digitally impose a clear background of the |
| for shopping), and a Yangtze river cruise is a | | | | view at its best. |
| must. | | | | You can also take boat trips out to some of the |
| For the more adventurous, and a great | | | | surrounding Islands. Agreat way to chill out after |
| experience go to Guilin. The landscape is | | | | some hard shopping! |
| awe-inspiring. Not really mountainous as such, but | | | | 5. Thailand: Yes, I know, Thailand does have a |
| the peaks seem to rise almost vertically into the | | | | somewhat seedy reputation, especially in areas |
| sky. Take a ski lift to the top of one of the | | | | such as Bankok and Phuket. But away from |
| peaks and get a toboggan down the 3000 feet. | | | | those well known areas there is a remarkable |
| 3. Jordan: You could take in Jordan by combining it | | | | country of culture and the most warm, friendly |
| with a trip to Egypt. Cairo is only just over 300 | | | | people. |
| miles from Amman, the capital, a wonderful place | | | | There is one place you can go called the Thai |
| full of history, and one of the oldest continuously | | | | Tiger Temple at Kanchanaburi where you can |
| inhabited cities in the world. | | | | stroke live tigers, somewhat domesticated by the |
| Do also go to Petra. This archaeological site is | | | | monks. Whatever you may feel about that, it is |
| renowned for it's rock-cut architecture, and is one | | | | certainly an interesting experience. |
| of the new seven wonders of the world. | | | | Well, there you have it. Five countries you really |
| Of course no visit to Jordan would be complete | | | | should make an effort to visit. I hope that I have |
| without a visit to the Dead Sea, this has so much | | | | given you food for thought so that you may |
| concentration of salt and minerals in it that you | | | | raise the bar a little when you next plan a trip. |
| can actually sit in the sea and read a book | | | | |