The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

A land of untold treasures, the best of which is it's people.

Prior to leaving for a trip to the Middle-East, people had asked 'Why are you going to Jordan?' I had no real considered response except that it was there and three countries would be as cheap as two. However I am overwhelmed by my reaction to this land and its people. By far the most honestly approachable people in the area. I was truly impressed by the places that I saw and the easiness of the people I had met. To discover places like the vast burial ruins, theatre, temples and markets of ancient Petra is inspiring; to travel across the wadi Rum Desert past the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Bedouin camps; to look across valleys from the heights of Crusader Castles or the sanctuary of Moses' death on Mt Nebo; to explore ancient churches; these are memorable experiences. But to eat and drink with fellow travellers and meet the generous and loveable hotel staff and guides will remain one of my great and treasured images.

The only worry I had was the devotion they appeared to have to the late King Hussein. I had admired this man for a long time but the number of photographs of him verged on the fanatical, or so I thought until I have since seen and learned more of how this man virtually created this small country, influenced his people to be some of the most relaxed in the region and produced a pride that leaves Jordan clean, ordered, comfortable and relaxed. The apparent love and respect for this man was far from unjustified and it was the entire world that showed that same unprecedented respect at his death. Jordanians are truly blessed that his son King Abdullah is also a remarkable man of insight.

Me doing Indiana Jones                              From the Treasury                                                Bedouin Woman

Camels - Theatre and caves at Petra - Some young Palestinian girls (sitting on the ledge of the cave) were singing some joyous celebration which echoed throughout the valley

Burial Caves in Petra                                  The Treasury Petra                           Coloured Rock in Petra

Different coloured rock Petra                                             Donkeys Petra                                                          Desert rock cleft

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom                                  Chimes                                                           Wadi Rum Desert            

                  View of Jordan from Highway                                                                          and another rocky view

Clefts                                                                           Tomb Petra                                                                           Tomb Petra

Mount Nebo. Moses is possibly buried there        Oldest Map of Holy Land Mosaic                     Inside rebuilt ancient Church Mt Nebo

A   Crusader Castle

   < King Hussein Hashemite Site      < Kimg Abdullah Official Site

Israel

Neither Moses, Jesus nor Mohamed would have wished the beautiful gardens and deserts of this land to be as fractured as it is.

Understandably a country created in a region that has been the crossroads of world civilisations, migrations and religions for hundreds of thousands of years, Israel is far from the most relaxed place on earth. Suspicions, bitterness and both cultural and religious memories like no others on the planet have created a tension that is tangible but creative. Whether one is a Jew, a Muslim a Christian or an agnostic one would have to be strong to live in Israel. Why this largely harsh and desert land was promised to anyone remains a mystery to me. The minute but expanding areas of fertility are no foundation on which to create a tribe of flourishing survivors. But miracles do happen and the land  blooms. It must be both a joy and a battle to create a life in and be part of this historic land.

Synagogue at Capernaum                                                 Haifa                                                       The Wall of the Temple

Every town in Israel or areas that  may one day be Palestine is familiar to many of us. Some small towns bustle with ordinary daily life woven around stone buildings that have historic stories that the excavations before you make tangible. Is that the Wall of Jerico? Did Saint Peter's Mother in Law live there? Is that the spot where Christ died under that alter? Was he buried in this tiny grotto? Is King David under that blue velvet cloth beyond the grill? Can I see the spot where Christ was born through that small hole? Is that trickle of water the great Jordan river? Surely not much could have happened in this overgrown spot. Is this the cave under a rock where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, with the woman at prayer at my feet where Mohammed conversed with Moses? A Roman theatre and avenue that I remembered from the film of Jesus Christ Superstar and the frightening cable car to high up Masada. I may not be able to walk on the Sea of Galilee but I can at least float on the Dead Sea. Of course there is windows by Chagall, the Bahai Gardens, more Crusader Fortresses and markets that sell every religious icon you could ever need including 2000 year old rocks from the time of Christ (I always thought that most rocks were millions of years old). Teenagers with rifles slung over their shoulders was a disturbing sight, but one becomes familiar with this, which is a pity. Yes I returned laden with olive wood carvings, trinkets, presents and memories.

Window in Room of the Last Supper                                           Dome of the Rock                                                           Shopping in Jerusalem

Mosaics  in an ancient Synagogue                                     Chamsa                              Roman Bath House from hot to cold

The guardian of Israel to ward off the evil eye.  

          Roman City & tree from 'Superstar '                                           Jericho Wall                      The first cave of Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran

    The alter of the Crucifixion                               The top and looking down from   Masada                                 Roman Cardo   

The Temple Wall                                             Israel  the symbol                     The lid on the Dead Sea Scroll Museum

               The Temple  in miniature old Jerusalem                    Tree of the Spirit               One of the Stations on the Via Dolorosa  

 Updated April 23, 2007