About Matt Long
Who am I? I am a typical Gen-Xer and recovering cubicle-dweller who has a passion for all things travel. My site brings a unique perspective that is hard to find online. I am not a backpacker, nor am I...
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Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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jordan Archive
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Ancient Ruins of Jerash in Jordan
Posted on March 24, 2013 | No Comments -
Qasr al-Amra – One of Jordan’s So-Called Desert Castles
Posted on March 4, 2013 | No Comments -
Elephant Rock Formation at Entrance to Petra, the Siq
Posted on October 31, 2012 | 1 Comment -
Desert Road Sign in Jordan
Posted on July 2, 2012 | No CommentsDesert Road Sign in Jordan -
Middle of Nowhere – Exploring Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan
Posted on June 11, 2012 | 3 CommentsWadi Rum -
Rethinking an Old Friend – Chocolate and Hummus for Dessert?
Posted on June 6, 2012 | 4 CommentsA few weeks ago I announced that the food company Sabra and I had formed a partnership born of a mutual love of that wonderful chickpea concoction – hummus. A few days ago I had the great opportunity to visit their plant to learn more... -
Young Camel Relaxing in Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan
Posted on April 3, 2012 | No Comments -
Paradise on the Dead Sea, Jordan
Posted on March 19, 2012 | 2 CommentsDead Sea Resort, Jordan -
Monastery on the Mount of Temptation, Palestinian Authority
Posted on March 17, 2012 | 2 Comments -
The Treasury at Petra, Jordan
Posted on March 6, 2012 | 1 CommentThe Treasury at Petra, Jordan -
Desert Moonscape in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Posted on February 28, 2012 | No Comments -
Five Reasons to Visit Jordan
Posted on January 24, 2012 | 14 Comments1. Safe and stable so far - The reverberations of the 2011 Arab Spring have been felt throughout the Middle East, and they’re not over yet. The instability in Egypt especially has had a lasting impact on tourism not only in that country, but surrounding... -
Reflections on a Petra Dog
Posted on January 22, 2012 | No CommentsI took this photo in Petra, Jordan, while on a 10-hour exploration of the ancient site. It was hot, scorching really, and every living thing was seeking shade of some sort, including this little guy. Dogs traditionally are not well cared for in certain... -
2011 Favorite Travel Experience of the Year
Posted on December 28, 2011 | 3 CommentsTravel has many faces and there are many factors which, when combined, create the perfect trip. Ultimately though it’s all about the experiences, what you see, do and enjoy while on your trip that is most important. I’ve been very fortunate this year to have... -
42 Things I Love About Jordan
Posted on December 1, 2011 | 19 CommentsIf you’re a frequent visitor to LandLopers, then you know that I didn’t just enjoy my trip to Jordan earlier this year, I loved it. I’ve been looking through photos of the trip and reflecting on key moments, so I thought I would assemble a... -
Exploring the Roots of Christianity in Jordan
Posted on November 17, 2011 | 1 CommentWhen most people think of Jordan, they probably don’t consider its importance in the formation of the Christian religion. Jordan’s location in the Middle East though has put in the crossroads of several civilizations and religions for millennia, especially Christianity. I’m not a religious person,... -
Jordan – Final Impressions
Posted on November 8, 2011 | 13 CommentsEarlier this year I visited Jordan at the kind invitation of the Jordan Tourism Board. Since then I’ve written a lot about my experiences there, and I still have more to write. But I thought it was an appropriate time to reflect on my trip... -
Hidden Treasure of Petra – The Monastery Trail
Posted on October 12, 2011 | 5 CommentsOne of the nice things about having someone else plan a travel itinerary for you is that a lot of the stress goes away. One of the downsides I learned though is that I personally don’t do as much trip prep as I should, especially... -
Looking for Aqaba
Posted on October 4, 2011 | No CommentsI didn’t know anything about Aqaba before we pulled into the resort town a little before noon. I’d heard of it before, but probably could not have placed it on a map and definitely couldn’t have told you that it was in Jordan. Yet there... -
One of the Greatest Roman Cities You’ve Probably Never Heard Of – Jerash
Posted on September 12, 2011 | 4 CommentsMy trip to Jordan lasted only eight days, but by the 5th or 6th day I had overdosed on ancient ruins. I love antiquity, don’t get me wrong. The thought of exploring long forgotten civilizations is exciting and usually gets my travels juices flowing. But,... -
Travel Photo – Petra Camel Caravan, Jordan
Posted on September 5, 2011 | No Comments -
Learning to Love the Spa – A Global Journey Through Thermal Springs and Pools
Posted on August 25, 2011 | 1 CommentBeing American as I am, I always thought the term ‘spa’ referred to a place where people go to receive massage treatments, facials and pedicures. Once in a while I would notice people calling their Jacuzzi a ‘spa’ but I quickly dismissed it. It wasn’t... -
When Good Ideas Go Bad – Petra by Night Experience
Posted on August 22, 2011 | 15 CommentsWe meandered on the way to Petra, stopping at Karak castle and the Dana Biosphere Reserve before finally reaching Petra in the late afternoon. I knew that the following day would be spent exploring the great wonder of the world, but I was excited for... -
Travel Photo – Hercules and the Amman Citadel
Posted on August 21, 2011 | 1 CommentThe Amman Citadel rises high above the city providing an amazing 360 degree view of Jordan’s capital. The site is an ancient one and there’s evidence of a variety of civilizations still in full sight today. One of the post impressive is Hercules’ hand, one... -
Exploring the Mosaic Map of Madaba
Posted on August 11, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe Madaba Map in Jordan It was hard leaving the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba, one of Jordan’s great cities, but I knew we had to keep moving. I was on a whirlwind trip of the country and eager to head back north... -
There’s No Decaf in Jordan – Bedouin Coffee Culture
Posted on August 4, 2011 | 6 CommentsI noticed them on my first day in Jordan. There they were, in the middle of traffic circles on the way to the Desert Castles east of Amman, giant decorative coffee urns. At the time I didn’t realize that’s what they were, I thought they... -
Travel Photo – Oldest Mosaic Map of Jerusalem, Madaba
Posted on August 3, 2011 | No CommentsJerusalem Map Located just 30 kilometers from Jordan’s capital, Amman, is Madaba, home of the famous Mosaic Map. Covering the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, the map dates from the 6th century and is the oldest surviving mosaic map of the... -
A Review of Every Marriott in Jordan
Posted on August 2, 2011 | No CommentsJordan Marriott Marriott didn’t pay for this post, not really. I stayed with them while on a blog trip sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board, so I guess indirectly they sort of did pay for this post. Unbeknownst to them, I’m alarmingly honest and... -
Travel Photo – Sunset Over Wadi Rum Desert
Posted on July 28, 2011 | No CommentsDesert Sunset -
World’s Best Entrance – Exploring the Siq at Petra
Posted on July 19, 2011 | 5 CommentsThe most visited site in Jordan is Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and perhaps best known for its cameo in Indiana Jones. I wrote briefly about the city and how, even though I expected it to amazing, it far surpassed... -
Jordan’s Sweet Treat – Knafeh
Posted on July 19, 2011 | 1 CommentWhen I visited Jordan, it didn’t take me long to realize that the culinary aspect of the experience was going to be very important. Some countries don’t have many unique dishes, others have en embarrassment of food riches. Jordan definitely falls into the later category.... -
Travel Spotlight – Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan
Posted on July 10, 2011 | No CommentsOn the drive from the Crusader castle at Karak to the Nabatean city of Petra, we stopped by one of Jordan’s greatest natural wonders, the Dana Biosphere Reserve. My first introduction to Dana was at a scenic overlook along the highway, home to a Jordanian... -
Picking the New Seven Wonders of Nature
Posted on July 7, 2011 | 9 CommentsA few years ago, there was an international contest to name the New 7 Wonders of the World. It was completely subjective and not based on any kind of qualified judgment, but was still a fascinating exercise in crowd sourcing. Ultimately, the 7 Wonders, as... -
Snorkeling in the Red Sea with Video
Posted on June 26, 2011 | 1 CommentI’ve written many times about my love of the water, and activities in, on or around it are some of my favorite. When I had the chance to visit Jordan, as the guest of the Jordan Tourism Board, I knew I had to visit the... -
King of Recipes – Mansaf Experience in Jordan
Posted on June 23, 2011 | 2 CommentsTowards the end of my trip to Jordan, sponsored by Jordan Tourism Board, I was yearning to get away from the prescribed restaurants and try something a little more homey. I’m not always in the mood for fancy food, in fact home cooked or even... -
Five Favorite Moments in Jordan
Posted on June 20, 2011 | 5 CommentsMy trip to Jordan was at the kind invitation of the Jordan Tourism Board, and they made sure I had plenty of time to do everything on my wish list. The experience was an amazing one and fostered an instant and intense love for this... -
Learning to Make Foul – One of Jordan’s Oldest and Most Important Dishes
Posted on June 16, 2011 | 10 CommentsMy first day in Jordan, as part of a trip sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board, was a whirlwind. I was tired, but didn’t want to waste a single moment while exploring Jordan. At last, we sat down for a simple lunch and I was... -
Love Affair with Jordanian Food
Posted on June 8, 2011 | 10 CommentsFood is a important part of any travel experience, and one that I always look forward to investigating. Rather than seek out the fancy, five-star dining, I’m always looking for local cuisine. Not only is this simple food cheaper, it’s almost always better than the... -
Ancient Ruins Overload and How Petra Saved Me
Posted on June 7, 2011 | 5 CommentsWhen I first saw my schedule from the Jordan Tourism Board, I got very excited. They were kind enough to invite me to explore their country, and I couldn’t wait. I love history and I knew that Jordan’s influence in the region and in world... -
Travel Spotlight: Desert Castles of Jordan – Qasr al-Amra
Posted on June 6, 2011 | 2 CommentsLocated in the desert east of Amman are a serious of curious structures, dotting the landscape almost randomly. These are the famous Desert Castles of Jordan, a remnant of the once dominant Umayyad empire. Built more than 1,200 years ago, these so-called castles didn’t have... -
Video Experience – Floating in the Dead Sea
Posted on June 5, 2011 | 3 CommentsA must-do experience for anyone visiting Jordan is a swim in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is unique because it is eight times saltier than the ocean, thanks to the unique geography of the area. This high salt content means that life is absent... -
Cute Overload – Baby Camels of Jordan
Posted on June 2, 2011 | 13 CommentsI love animals, a lot. Throw in baby animals and my heart melts and I lose all control. While in Jordan, I was lucky enough to spend some time in the desert where, to my great joy, there had been a camel baby boom. Here... -
Ultimate Street Food Experience – Best Summertime Snack in Jordan
Posted on June 1, 2011 | 10 CommentsOn the first day of touring Jordan, we drove past a roadside stand selling bright green watermelons when the driver, Mahmoud, made a comment that marked the beginning of an epic food quest. He said that one of his favorite things to do is to... -
Wadi Rum Desert Camp – The Facts and the Experience
Posted on May 31, 2011 | 6 CommentsIt had been a long day, but then again I was getting used to it during my trip to Jordan. There was a lot to do and see in the country, and the itinerary I requested from the Jordan Tourism Board had been ambitious. That... -
Jordan Tourism’s Petra Paradox
Posted on May 30, 2011 | 2 CommentsJordan is lucky when it comes to tourism, after all it is home to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. That alone is worth millions, if not more over time, in tourist revenue. But with this accolade has come a problem,... -
Madaba Mosaics, Moses’ Mt. Nebo and the Thermal Spas of Ma’In – Trekking Through Jordan
Posted on May 26, 2011 | 1 CommentMy amazing trip to Jordan is winding down and this morning we left Aqaba to journey north to the city of Madaba. Madaba is most famous for the mosaic floor found in St. George’s Church. This isn’t your average mosaic, the 6th century mosaic map... -
Adventures in Jordan: Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Aqaba and Red Sea Snorkeling
Posted on May 25, 2011 | 4 CommentsI was awakened this morning by some pigeons who apparently had a roost above my tent in the Wadi Rum desert camp. Since I was up early, I used my time to pay another visit to the baby camels and to explore the area. After... -
Crusader Castle, Dana Biosphere Reserve and Petra by Night – Trekking Through Jordan Highlights
Posted on May 23, 2011 | 2 CommentsOn my second day in Jordan we left Amman along the Desert Highway to the ancient city of Karak, home of an imposing Crusader-era castle. The castle looms high over the modern city of Karak in an eerie reminder of the city’s past. We then... -
Trekking Through Jordan Highlights – Amman and the Desert Castles
Posted on May 22, 2011 | 12 CommentsOn my first day in Jordan, I visited a few of the famous ‘desert castles’ found in the desert east of Amman. While not really castles, these centuries old buildings were used as retreats, baths and meeting places for Umayyad leaders. After spending the morning... -
Trekking Through Jordan – The Itinerary
Posted on May 12, 2011 | 8 CommentsA couple of months ago I received an unexpected email from the fine people at the Jordan Tourism Board. They asked several travel bloggers to visit Jordan at various times to experience the country and share it with the world. Lucky for me they...
