Wednesdays 10:00PM ET
Jordan
What's a few minor bombings when biblical history, archeological wonder and some of the most gorgeous natural scenery in the Middle East await? Jesus, Moses and Dr. Danger... all have trod the holy soil of Jordan. This week's full throttle adventure lets the doctor truly live out his Indiana Jones fantasies, when he visits the temple of the Holy Grail and bikes, hikes and treks the spectacular Jordanian countryside; all without encountering a single snake.
Currency: Jordan Dinars (JOD), US $1 equals 0.709000 JOD
Location: Amman
- Jordan's capital city and home to 2.1 million people.
- Large communities of Palestinians and Iraqis live in Amman, drawn to Jordan's relative political stability and Amman's lively cultural scene.
- Mentioned in the Bible as Rabbath Ammon.
- The National Archaeological Museum is located here, featuring a collection of antiquities and fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Tourists can pick up Bedouin-style embroidered clothing at several Amman's lively markets and grab Starbucks at one of the city's three locations.
Location: Petra
- Jordan's top tourist destination
- Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985
- Annexed by the Roman Empire in 106 AD and flourished as center for trade and commerce for over 600 years until an earthquake destroyed it.
- Abandoned from the 12th century until 1812, when the ruins of Petra were discovered by a Swiss explorer.
- Featured in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
- Named one of the New Wonders of the World in 1989.
Location: Wadi Rum
- Scenic desert valley in the southern area of Jordan
- Lawrence of Arabia dwelled in Wadi Rum from 1914-1918.
- The only permanent inhabitants are several thousand Bedouin nomads and a few villagers.
- Goat hair tents, a few concrete shops and houses and the fort headquarters of the Desert Patrol Corps are pretty much the only structures in an otherwise natural landscape.
- Best accessed by hiring a four wheel drive vehicle or a camel.