Dana to Petra 7th to 9th

 And so we start our three day hike with a Bedouin guide, Sulaman. Down to the Wadi from Dana to a camp at Feynan then onto Ras El faidh continuing to the outskirts of Petra.

Temps were 27 to 30C so challenging to say the least. Countryside very rough and bone dry. Wide range of herb scrub...thyme, wormwood, juniper which our guide explained the use of by the Bedouin. Even a plant called goat shampoo used to treat lice. We walked near the family camp and had tea with his mother...sugar boiled over the fire then tea leaves added with water and boiled some more. An acquired taste.

Wadi otherwise known as a valley. We started at the top and walked through to the other end then turned left.

Donkeys are used for stock and general cartage

Sulaman very keen on tea stops also for prayer 3 

 times a day.

Tended to follow Bedouin trails or herding paths or good old fashioned clamoring 

And in amongst this desperate landscape  autumn crocus appear.

Sulaman's cousin appeared to set the camp and cook vegetarian for us much to their dismay as goat meat a favorite 

We slept in the pup tent while our Bedouin guide slept on bedrolls outside. Grateful for the privacy.

Bedouin trim the branches for tent poles and their goats nibble any foliage hence near barren landscape. Also two very dry years

We and climbed up from behind  the escarpment in the centre to the walk across the front

Goats walking home when they get thirsty as no water source here. Either a donkey or a dog ...to protect the kids....run with them

Phew after 45km we were elated to have endured the heat, climbing, hiking together. Learnt so much from our guide over the three days and saw astoundingly raw countryside.

Madaba 4th Oct

 Today was the archeological wonders of Madaba. Bus loads of Europeans decented on the town...Italians ignoring dress protocols as ever.

We managed to go to places either before or were to difficult for them ie narrow climbing stairs up towers or long walks in 35C. See some unusual sights. Nothing is off limits.

Stunning mosaics from the 6th century built on top of previous civilisations. 

A Christian church...quite acceptable...all religions seem to rub along...Greek orthodox also except Sharia Islam.

The local mosque...one has to be careful not to be run down at the call to prayers as cars arrive at pace and oark haphazardly.

Bunny ears on your tee shirt anyone

Nightwear

From the top of the  church a view of Madaba 

Then coup de gras was purchasing Jordan carpet weave and a boudian carpet from 76 yr old Ziad

The Dead Sea 3rd Oct

 At 420m below sea level quite the experience. The trick is to buy a day pass at a 5 star hotel to use their private beach, showers, pools and restaurants. Movenpick charges NZD$500+ per night to stay so day pass more the Sewell budget.

Amazing feeling in the sea 31C..... surreal. Then spread the mud and salt on the body. Once rinsed off after the obligatory 10mins your skin feels like a babies. Drop in years unfortunately did not work. No Benjamin Button experience much laughter with the attendants.

The infinity pool was to die for so we spent a happy day not doing much.

Drive back to Madabar again over Mt Nebo. Stark to say the least.

We found a super place for dinner Haret Jdoudna. Aubergine with sesame, goats cheese and thyme very yummy. We are not eating meat as is our std Middle East practice.  Although there is nothing wrong with pan, falafel and hummus daily.

30th Sept to 2nd Oct nth Jordan

 First day driving in Amman as we left the city heading north to Jerash, Aljoun the Irbid. Being Friday very quiet on the road thankfully as we negotiated driving on the otherside of the road. 

Hadrian Arch in Jerash was stunning at 22m high. Some if the hippodrome was salvaged and many other remnants of what had been a large city in Roman times.

What was the hippodrome 

The chariot and cart ruts in the colonnade street

were very visible.

Tiny mosaics make fascinating pictures of what once roamed.

Next was Ajloun was mostly black basalt and the reserve amounted to stunted evergreen oaks.

Was enthralled to catch a glimpse of the sea of Galilee which the Jordan River originates from.

At a place called Umm Quais gives a  view of the Golan Heights, Israel across the Jordan Valley.

Sea of Galilee.

Black basalt doors would have weighed a tonne.

Bomb proof coffins

View across the verdant Jordan Valley.  Growing figs, citrus, pomegranate, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine etc. Israel is on the other side.

Only stopped a couple of times by Jordanian soldiers to see passports...no English or know where NZ is so no worries.

Tomatoes marketed at their best.

Chickens 

The market in Pella was all go although would not want to be a chicken. A feast of orange tomatoes and pan bread for us. Young lad throwing the pan bread going flat out in the 35C heat of the day.

An unusual retail display in Irbid where we stayed. The 5 being 5 Jordanian dinars roughly   NZD $12.

Kids play in the streets amongst the litter. The Suni Islamic religion allows men to have up to 4 wives so multiple kids everywhere. 

Everywhere is litter. Similar to other Middle East countries we have been to. Throughout the countryside, in the street piled up. Men keep the roads clear only.

Walking on the footpaths can be hazardous.

Pan bread ready for sale.

Guys in the bakery. Food regulations non existent but all works fine.

Bedouin camping and date palms

Bougainvillea nursery Jordan Valley.

Quite a drive up to Mt Nebo where supposedly Moses saw the promised land in the distance.

Jerusalem...the promised land.

Mt Nebo view point

Sone of the description boards indecipherable if at all for a country that relies on tourism is odd to say the least.