Jordan Feb 2019

Hadrian's Arch at Jerash

The Temple of Artemis at Jerash

Our trip started in Amman and our first stop was the 3^rd century Greco-Roman ruins at Jerash, an important stop on the incense and spice trade route to the Mediterranean. Much of the city was still intact, especially its soaring Corinthian columns. It was amazing that these structures had survived this long. We also toured Citadel Hill, which overlooks Amman, before heading to Petra. 

Pat in the Siq

Petra is the main reason most travelers come to Jordan - it is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and a World Heritage Site. The City was carved into the shear rock face over 2,000 years ago. It was a major trading city on the silk and spice caravan routes. The Nabataeans were early water resource engineers and they harvested rainwater and constructed tunnels to create a pseudo oasis in an arid area that supported over two thousand people.

View at the end of the Siq

The city is isolated by a ¾ mile long narrow entrance passage called the Siq. At the end of the Siq, you get the first glimpse of the Treasury, the most photographed structure in Jordan. Much of the city was destroyed by an earthquake, but many tombs remain, along with a temple, church, monastery and a 4000 seat Amphitheater carved into the stone walls. We spent a full day exploring the various structures.

Obelisk tomb

The Royal Tombs

The Treasury

The Promised Land from Mt Nemo

On our return trip to Amman we stopped at Shobek to see the Crusader Castle from 1115. At Mount Nemo we view the Promised Land as Moses once did. At St George’s Church in Madaba we saw the world’s largest mosaic map. The map covers the Middle East with details of the Holy Land and Jerusalem.

The Brazen Serpent

Madaba's Mosaic Map

The next day we had an early flight to London. We had tickets to see “The Book of Mormon” but Pat was still ill so we rested at the airport hotel and flew back to VA the next day. When we arrived in Laurel, MD, Pat went to the urgent care center and they sent her to hospital because they were afraid she might have a PE. It turned out to be Pneumonia, which Pat has finally recovered from.