Jordan
We spent only about three days in Jordan, but saw some spectacular sights. We crossed the border between Israel and Jordan twice, going from Israel to Jordan in the north of both countries, and from Jordan to Israel in the south at the Red Sea port of Aqaba. Although the two countries signed a peace treaty years ago, the border crossings were tense affairs. We had to change buses at both borders. In Aqaba we had to walk only in a narrow area to avoid minefields. None of the border guards on either side were very friendly or happy to see us. Our Jordanian bus included an armed guard as a protection for us American tourists. All of the hotels in Jordan where we stayed had been previously bombed, and we had to go through metal detectors to enter them. Nevertheless, we had a fabulous time in Jordan and learned a lot.
Schlepping luggage from our Israeli bus to our Jordanian bus.
Once over the border our first stop was at Jerash, the remains of a large Roman city, in northern Jordan.
This was probably a temple. These columns have been standing upright for many centuries.
An impressive colonnade with the modern city in the background.
This beautiful amphitheater is extremely well preserved. I couldn’t resist climbing to the top.
Among our Houston group was a young woman who was an enthusiastic amateur photographer. She was always climbing up onto something for a better shooting angle, as here at Jerash. When the group got together back at home for a post trip party, she produced for us a wonderful digital slide show of her photographs of the trip.
Heading south on a high road from Amman, looking west toward Israel.
We stopped on Mount Nebo, where there is a Franciscan facility at the site where God allowed Moses to see the Promised Land, even though Moses had been forbidden to enter it.
Moses’ view of the Promised Land, obscured by a horde of American tourists.
We drove all day, arriving at dusk at a hotel near the entrance to Petra. This is the view from our hotel at sunset.
Our drop off point for the tour of Petra. The large portraits are of King Hussein on the left and his son Prince Abdullah on the right. These portraits were ubiquitous every place we stopped throughout our stay in Jordan. Hussein has since died, and the prince, a fighter pilot in the Jordanian Air Force at the time of our trip, is now Abdullah II, King of Jordan. Abdullah is an impressive guy. I have read his book about politics in the Middle East, The Last Best Chance, and thought it was excellent.
All tourist attractions require souvenirs, snacks and cold drinks.
I expected the Indiana Jones hats and baseball caps, but the belly dancing outfits were a surprise. They are pretty, aren’t they?
There’s a half mile or so walk from the drop off area to Petra (downhill in, uphill out), so taxis are available for the infirm or the out-of-shape.
Most decide to walk. Heat will be the real enemy as the day wears on.
The trail leads to a dramatic passageway between tall rock cliffs.
Inside the chasm, out come the cameras. It’s impossible not to gawk.
The sun reaches into the canyon at a few places.
The walls grow taller as you walk farther in.
Our first glimpse of the ancient city through the canyon walls.
An absolutely astonishing sight.
And there it is! We are all Indiana Jones! The direct sunlight of late morning puts the magnificent architecture into bold relief.
The building you encounter as you first enter Petra is called the Treasury, probably the tomb of a king. This photograph was taken in the beautiful subdued light of late afternoon shadow.
Well look at that! Somebody took the cab.
Once inside the city there is much to see.
Petra was a city of Nabataeans, an ancient Semitic people It was located on a trade route between Asia and Europe well before the time of Christ, and was very prosperous.
Most of their buildings were carved into the cliffs—homes, shops, places of worship, tombs. This is a large amphitheater.
Inside the rooms, the rock walls provided their own beautiful decor.
Inside a room with a decorative niche in the wall.
Eventually the Romans found their way to Petra and added their own architecture to the already impressive city. These are the remains of a Roman temple.
The city’s reach was quite large. There are a number of widely scattered archeological sites within walking distance of the main city.
These must be the suburbs.
A wider view of the outlying area.
Although this is very stark, very dry country, Petra’s water supply was adequate. There are nine natural springs nearby, and the Nabataeans developed a system for retaining water from the flooding that occasionally occurs from heavy rains in this mountainous region.
Nabataean taxi stand.
Nabataean souvenir shop.
You can never have too many souvenirs.
Time to leave. One last look at the awesome and beautiful Treasury.
Heading home after an unforgettable day.
Again, I will close the gallery with a few black and white photographs. The way in and out.
The Treasury.
Downtown Petra.
Heading into town.
If only we could see Petra in its prime! What a wonder!