Amman
We arrived in Amman at 4 am after an overnight flight from Barcelona via Istanbul. First impressions – the look-alike desert sand coloured houses covering the 7 hills of Amman and friendliness of the “Welcome to Jordan” people.
Amman has a long history of occupation by many great civilizations but these are 20th century houses
The Temple of Hercules in the Amman Citadel, one of the world’s oldest continuously occupied places
Amman’s 2nd century 6,000 seat Roman Theatre
King Abdullah I Mosque – note the cross on the smaller minaret
These three always packed restaurants have been serving the same delicious food for 50 years
A variety of sweets; Kunafeh (sweet runny cheese in pastry); humus and falafel
Yes, you can find beer and wine in Amman
Mount Nebo
Moving on to Mount Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land.
Then to Madaba, with the world’s oldest map of the Holy Lands. The Madaba Mosaic Map was made in the 6th century. Originally it measured 21 by 7 m and contained over two million of stone.
“Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab. There the Lord showed him the whole land.”
View that Moses had of the Promised Land (on a hazy day)
Madaba Mosaic Map showing the River Jordan on the top and 6th century Jerusalem on the bottom
Dana
We spent the night at the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature’s Guest House at Dana village, our room jutting out over a 1000m drop to valley below. Spectacular and slightly disturbing. From here we started the walk to Petra.
Araba Valley at sunset from the Dana Guest House