We spent only a few days in Jordan. The first two were touring around Amman before moving on to Wadi Musa for two days of touring Petra. After settling into our rooms at the Signia by Hilton we dined on seafood at the 962 Bistro and enjoyed the Jordanian JR Chardonnay, not so much the JR Crispy White.
Our touring around Amman began with the Citadel, the Jordan Archeology Museum, and the Roman theater followed by the Jordan Museum of Popular Tradition. The first three provided some history and architecture of the area while the latter focused on the culture.
Clockwise from top left:
- Statue from Ain Ghazal. Made of lime plaster and reeds and considered among the earliest representations of the human form (Pre-Pottery 8000 to 4000 BCE)
- Ruins of the Temple of Hercules at the Citadel
- Umayyad Palace mosque dome at the Citadel
- Ivory fragments with carved figures and hieroglyphs at the Jordan Archaeological Museum (possibly Bronze Age)
- Roman bronze oil lamp, likely dating to the 2nd century AD, found in Jerash. The lamp features a handle sculpted into an animal shape and a lid shaped like a shell.
- Roman Theatre. Dates back to the 2nd century AD and designed to seat approximately 6,000 spectators. It is known for its excellent acoustics and is one of the best surviving examples of Roman architecture in the world..
- Miniature model of ornate dome of the bath complex at Hisham's Palace (Khirbat al-Mafjar), an important early Islamic archaeological site near Jericho.
- A very ancient instrument the oud is a stringed instrument found all over the Middle East. It plays a significant role in Arabic music and is often referred to as the "sultan" or "king" of Arab instruments.
- Desert patrol uniform
- Traditional Jordanian and Palestinian items
- A mannequin wearing a traditional Palestinian or Jordanian costume. Different regions have distinct motifs and colors. The outfit includes an embroidered dress, a wide belt, and a sheer head covering
- Traditional Jordanian masks or face coverings. The items feature intricate embroidery and numerous silver or metal coin decorations. The items were worn by both Bedouin (nomadic) and sedentary peoples in the region
We next went to nearby Jarash. Lunch at Lebanese House included a Jordan River Shiraz accompanying a collection of appetizers, a mixed grill and dessert. Good meal.
After our lunch we visited the Greco-Roman city of Jerash with remains from Neolithic (7000 to 1700 BCE), Greek (500 to 31 BCE), Roman (27 BCE to 476 CE), Byzantine (330 to 1430 CE) and Umayyad (first Islamic dynasty / second caliphate 661 to 750 CE) eras.
In the evening we selected a JR Cabernet Sauvignon and Gamay blend with our snacks at Kyra Pool Bar & Grill.
Next morning we were driven to Petra and dropped at our hotel, the Moevenpick Resort, located across the street from the entrance to the site.
- Entrance Gate
- Rock-cut tombs or dwellings
- Elephant rock formation
- Pat walking through the Siq, the main entrance to the ancient city
- Entry to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, specifically the narrow gorge called the Siq, leading to the iconic Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)
- Bill in a narrow part of the Siq
- The Petra Theater
- Pat in front of the Treasury
- Camels resting near the Treasury
- The Urn Tomb, one of the most prominent of the Royal Tombs. The tomb is believed to be the final resting place of King Malchus II. The tomb was converted into a Byzantine church in 447 AD.
- Royal Tombs complex with elaborate structures carved into the eastern cliff face of Jabal al-Khubtha. The tombs date back to the 1st century AD and are likely the final resting places for Nabataean royalty and elite.
In the evening we returned by golf cart for the Petra at Night Sound and Light show which is displayed on the front of the Treasury.
The Monastery is the second most recognized landmark of Petra. We saved it for day 2 and accessed it via the back entry through Little Petra. While we waited for the transportation to the start of the hike we visited Little Petra. On the hike to the monastery we were constantly urged to take the easy route, riding a donkey, camel or horse.
Clockwise from top left:
- Bedouin tents near the entrance to Little Petra
- Bedouin on Camel looking for a paid rider
- Rock-carved structure (temple) at Little Petra. Located a short distance north of the main Petra site, Little Petra is a smaller version featuring similar facades and chambers carved from sandstone cliffs. It is believed to have been a residential suburb of the larger Petra, possibly housing visiting traders traveling the ancient trade routes.
- A tangle of a tree growing in the stone
- Steps cut into the rock formation
- View over the black mountains into Israel
- An early view of the Monastery
- Detailed work on the center dome
- Pat & Bill in front of the Monastery
- High cliffs around the path down
- A market on the path down
- Donkey, transportation for some tourists
- Ruins of the Great Temple at the bottom of the steps
As planned we got a cart for the first segment of our return. But when our guide went to buy tix for the second route, he was told that we would have to walk. Don't ask. We don't understand. But we four somewhat hardy seniors buckled down for a long, slow, hot walk back to the hotel.
We barely made it. And were grateful to sit down for lunch. The seafood lunch was very tasty but very late in the afternoon and did not allow enough recovery time to really enjoy the "chef's table experience" later that evening.
During the "experience" we helped make three salads and watched the preparation of the upside down rice dish. The wine was very good, a St George Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
Our return to Amman included a stop at Mount Nebo, where Moses was given a view of the Promised Land before his death.
- The location, with it's lovely tile floor, is a popular pilgrimage site .
- Brazen Serpent Monument (also known as the Nehushtan).The monument serves as a reminder of the biblical passage where God instructed Moses to erect a bronze serpent on a pole; those who looked upon it were saved from a plague of venomous snakes.
- Sign noting the importance of the site
- With good eyesight and weather conditions, you can see the Dead Sea.
We continued on to Madaba for lunch at Haret Jdoudna. Good food. Good wine (a St George Pinot Noir). Good shopping. The shop had fine tile work. We couldn't resist a piece...but we had to ship it. (For the record it was early October. The piece arrived in San Miguel on December 16. There were lots of hang-ups. Let's not dwell on that.)
After lunch we took a short walk through the lovely town to the Church of St George which is famous for its historic mosaic map of the Holy Land.
We returned to Amman and began packing for return to Mexico via Istanbul. TheTurkish Air lounge facilities helped pass the time in Istanbul.
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