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Blogs from West, Jordan, Middle East - page 6
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Day 7: Across the Desert and Far Far Away
Published: April 4th 2009Middle East » Jordan » West » Dead Sea
April 3rd 2009
The night under canvas went very quickly - for me. Others complained at the noise coming from the dogs, the little train, the odd vehicle, snoring, but I heard nothing - apart from the occasional mosquito trying to get a quick bite. I heard nothing until 06h15 that is when Bassam wandered through camp urging everyone to get up. Breakfast was a simple affair - strong coffee, pitta bread dipped in olive oil and herbs and hard boiled eggs. By 07h00, the bus was packed and nine sleepy adventures headed for 5 hours across the Jordanian Desert back towards the north. To pass the time, we managed a group crossword, although next time I recommend that the person with the pen has some numeracy and language skills!!!! Coming off the Desert Highway, we joined the Dead ... read more
April 1st 2009
A different rythm and pace has settled over the last piece of my journey. No longer part of a group but travelling solo with my buddy Brooke means a fresh perspective. Independence suits both of us! We are similar in the sense of knowing exactly how and what we want to experience. Remote nature, village life, and culture - with some history for good measure. As soon as Brooke met me in Cairo we have set a cracking pace. We've decided we can sleep when we get home :). A revisit to the pyramids and a mooch around the main bazaar set the tone of the first day. Now just over 24 hours in Jordan we have crammed in alot but we feel peaceful and free. We agreed immediately that having a driver was the way ... read more
March 30th 2009
07h00 came surprisingly early. I know it happens at the same time each day but I'd once again found it difficult to sleep on the small mountain that purported to be a pillow. Clearly though, after having got rid of the pillow, I must have slept as the alarm clock was waking me up. After taking a shower and dressing, I packed my rucksack and headed down to breakfast. Not good - again. This time, the bread rolls were like bullets, but still, I dined on orange juice, coffee and bread - but drew a line at warm milk on the cereal! Returning to my room, I packed my washing kit and headed down to reception to checkout. At 08h15, we climbed into the bus and headed off for the first stop of the day. Mosaics ... read more
The Dead Sea and some Christian Stuff
Published: March 20th 2009Middle East » Jordan » West » Dead Sea
February 9th 2009
Started our day with a Second Cup coffee! Hell yeh, been a while! Even had a Canada flag in the window. Made our way out of Amman, bound for Mt Nebo. Holy place where Christians believe Moses is said to have seen the promised land. He then died there at age 120. Old guy! He was buried here and churches were built on top of the hill. Totally cloudy, windy, and hazy so could not see a thing. Apparently you can see all the way to Jerusalem. Also went on to River Jordan and Bethany Beyond The Jordan. That means it is where Christians say Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, also where the 1st 5 Apostles met, and Elijah ascended to heaven on a chariot. Of course! Was big Military area as was border ... read more
JORDAN LETTERS 5. El Mar Muerto -- The Dead Sea
Published: January 21st 2009Middle East » Jordan » West » Dead Sea
January 21st 2009
See letter in English below Amman, 18/01/07 ¡Hola Lou! Como te comentaba ayer, he ido hoy al Mar Muerto con Eric y con Félix. Al grupo se ha sumado Jim, un chino de Hong Kong que se hospedaba en el hostal y que se ha interesado en nuestro viaje. Hemos ido en autobús hasta un pueblo (Al-Janubya o algo así) para tomar allí un taxi hasta el maniantal de Herodes. Me ha resultado bastante curioso como en un control de policía ya cerca de este pueblo, que linda con la frontera con Palestina, a nosotros por ser guiris no nos han pedido la documentación. En vez de eso nos han sonreído y dicho: "sahlan, welcome to Jordan". En el taxi, ya llegando al mar Muerto, hemos tenido otro control policial, y de nuevo lo mismo, sonrisas ... read more
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January 17th 2009
See letter in English below Amman 17/01/07 ¡Hola Lou! Hoy casi no me podía levantar. Porque había quedado con Félix, que si no me habría quedado más tiempo en la cama. He tenido el mismo desayuno de siempre: tortita con miel, pan con mermelada, huevo duro y té negro. Hemos ido a Madaba en autobús, desde Abdali, que nos ha dejado un poco apartados del centro. De camino al centro nos hemos cruzado con unos chavales muy simpáticos que nos han preguntado de dónde éramos. Madaba es conocida como la ciudad de los mosaicos, por los muchos que se encuentran de la época omeya y bizantina (les dio por hacer muchas iglesias y decorarlas con mosaicos). Algunos parece que guardaban mucho polvo. Aún hoy en día la población cristiana de Madaba es muy elevada y ronda ... read more
January 11th 2009
My last day of touring was a trip to the city of Karak to see the Castle. This was a one hour bus trip from Jordan's southern bus station. The castles was originally built in 1140AD and is a natural strong point in the area. Since then, this site has been key for any power that wants control of the area. Sieges where the common way of taking the Castle, with the majority of them lasting months of years, with in habitants eating everything inside and selling wives and children to prolong supplies. Much of the interior has been excavated with numerous halls, churches, kitchens, quarters etc. This concludes my blogs for the moment, as I head home tomorrow. Thanks to all for taking the time out to check these entries out and providing comments and ... read more
January 10th 2009
The ancient city of Madaba offers the largest and best preserved range of mosaics in Jordan. A short one hour mini-bus trip from Jordan's northern bus station, this city is setup well to stroll around to each of the sites. These included the the Madaba Archaeological Park, St Georges Church, Madaba Museum and Church of the Apostles. The Archaeological Park contains a number of original floors in the Church of the Virgin and the Hippolytus Hall, as well as a studio and workshop to learn and continue the art of mosaics. St Georges church has what remains of the floor, which was originally a very detailed decorative map of the greater Jordan Valley area. It also has many new mosaics and paintings, all very impressive. The Church of the Apostles has the very impressive "Personification of ... read more
January 2nd 2009
An extra bolt on was an excursion to the Mt Nebu and the Dead Sea. Mt Nebu is where Moses eyed the holy land, Jerusalem, across the Jordan river valley and he spend his last years. A quick stop at Mt Nebu to enjoy the small museum and great views. Some of the buildings of Jerusalem could just be seen in the very far distance. We travelled down to below sea level for a buffet lunch followed by a dip in the buoyant saline waters of the dead sea. Fun was had by all, the sun came out for us, enough to then cover ourselves in the “therapeutic” Dead Sea mud.... read more
January 1st 2009
Scott and I headed out of London after a busy 2008. We were heading for Jordan on an 8 day whirl-wind tour; a few days of culture, a few hiking, a few by the sea and of course a visit to Petra. We arrived late Christmas Eve into Amman, we were lucky enough to finish the bottle of red wine on the plane, not sure anyone else was really drinking! Our ‘hotel’ was in down town Amman, right in the thick of things. We awoke to a raining grey Christmas Eve and set off on a walking tour around the city. Down town was gritty, we went past the souks, mosques, fruit & veg markets, along to the Roman theatre, and after a bit of lunch up to the Citadel for wonderful views across the city. ... read more
