Bethany Beyond the Jordan

We traveled a short distance from our hotel to the Israel/Jordan border to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas) - the proven site for the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.  It is located between Wadi Nimrin to the north and Wadi Gharaba to the south.  It is directly across from Jericho, Israel.  It is also associated with the ascension of the prophet Elijah to heaven.  According to our guide, the area was discovered by Mohammad Waheeb in 1988 but he was unable to obtain success in locating the actual site until late 1996.  UNESCO added it to the list of World Heritage sites in 2015.

                                            The baptismal place of Jesus (the flat stones mark the exact location - it is the cross-road)

                                        Again - showing the flat stones of the exact location

                                       The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese/St. John the Baptist Church, Jordan River.

                                        Sticking my feet in the Jordan River.  Can you see the cable in front of me?  That is the Jordan/Israel border.  The steps across from me is the Israel side of the river.

                                       A couple in our group baptizing themselves.  It was very touching.  They are both from Russia but now live in Chicago.  He is Orthodox and she is Catholic.

                                       Again, you can see the cable marking the Israel/Jordan border.

I hope you've enjoyed my adventure.  Now, I'm going to go float in the Dead Sea and swim for a bit.  Until next time.

A Day in the Desert

Our adventure today took us from Petra (Wadi Musa) to Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea.  We first stopped at Moses Spring.  It is believed to be an identical site where Moses struck the ground with this his staff and brought water to the people.

We then drove about an hour south to Wadi Rum, known as Valley of the Moon.  It's sandstone and granite and is the largest wadi (valley) in Jordan.  The name is Arabic for Roman Valley and is 5,741 feet above sea level.  It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.  There is one huge rock formation named the 7 Pillars of Wisdom, which was after T. E. Lawrence's book.

It is home to the Zalabia Bedouin people who earn a living by assisting trekkers and hikers in the valley.  Many movies have been filmed here - Lawrence of Arabia, Red Planet, Transformers-Revenge of the Fallen, the Martian and many more.

We then took a camel caravan to a Bedouin tent for tea

                                          My camel.  He was a little testy at first - making all kinds of noises.

We then headed to our lunch back in the 4x4s to have an authentic Bedouin lunch referred to as Zarb.  It is the entire meal cooked totally underground.  It was very, very good.

Sunset at the Dead Sea and a view from my room

Tomorrow is a half-day trip to Bethany Beyond the Jordan and then the rest of the day floating in the Dead Sea and the hotel pool.

It's coming to a close - it's been a great, tiring trip.

Magical Day at Petra

On the bus at 6:45am this morning to see the magical UNESCO World Heritage site - the Nabatean city of Petra.  We walked 800 meters to the entrance to the Siq (the curvy gorge entrance to the city) - the only entrance and exit to the place.  It's south of the Dead Sea.  It was the capital of the Nabateans-Arabs who dominated the lands of Jordan during pre-Roman times.  They carved all the temples, tombs and buildings out of solid rock.  For seven centuries Petra's existence was a guarded secret known only to the local Bedouin and Arab tradesman.  It was discovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.  Burckhardt disguised himself as a pilgrim seeking to make a sacrifice at the tomb of Aaron.  Archaeologists believe it has been inhabited from prehistoric times.

                                       Entrance to the Siq

  

     Seeing al-Khazneh (the Treasury) for the first time through the rocks of the Siq was amazing.

                                                    Al-Khazneh

                                                    A gentleman playing the Rababa.  He is a staple at Petra.

                                      Amphitheater

                                       Royal Tombs

                                        Street of Facades

                                        The Colonaded Street

Last, but not least, I climbed 850 steps up to see the al-Deir (The Monastery).  So, so glad I gave it a shot - was so worth the 45-minute hike up and same down.

Tomorrow we head toward the Dead Sea via Wadi Rum for a 4x4 Jeep ride through Wadi Rum and then have lunch with the Bedouin - and perhaps a camel caravan.  I can't believe this trip is coming to a close - it has gone to fast!!