FUN-travel: Holy Land – Amman to Petra, Jordan – Day 3
April 2, 2013 by Susan Clarke
The ABC’s of The Holy Land
A = Awesome
B = Bummer
C = Celebration
Trip Day 57 – Wednesday, March 27 – Amman to Petra, Jordan – cloudy, overcast turns to sun – high 60’s
- 6:30 – wake up
- 7:00 – good, hot cappuccino – huge breakfast buffet – take to-go box for picnic lunch
- 8:35 – depart – drive to …
- 1st stop – 9:45 – Madaba – home to world’s largest collection of ancient mosaics – restored Byzantine and Herodian mosaics in Archaeological Park, Apostles’ Church and Madaba Museum – Mt. Nebo, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land, take in view of Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho and (on a clear day, which we didn’t have) distant spires and domes of Mount of Olives
St. George Church
- 2nd stop 10:30 – St. George Church – famous 6th Century map of the Holy Land – contemporary church with display of mosaics from the succession of pilgrimage churches on this venerated spot – find great souvenir store (owner ready to make deal)
- 11:30 – drive south, zigzagging thru barren sandstone mountains w/sparse bushes
- 12:30 – tea break – Wadi Mujib – couch & chairs along road overlooking reservoir – Yassar (owner) very engaging – have tea & “fig newton” homemade by his wife (1 of 2) – buy coral bracelet (he was so nice)
- 3rd stop – 1:45 – Karek Crusader Castle – high on hill w/sheer drop on 3 sides – built 1142
Karek Castle
- 2:30 – lunch – typical tourist buffet – $15 pp – just so-so – depart 3:10
- 4th stop – 5:00 – Dhana Old Village – 500 yrs old perched on hill overlooking pristine, silent landscape of mountains & valleys – in process of being re-done – (US is paying for this project) – have tea in local hotel
- 6:45 – check in to Movenpick – 5* – very nice & right outside main gate to Petra
- B – have to hurry & eat to see Petra @ night
- 7:00 – dinner buffet – quite good
View From Mt. Nebo
- 8:20 – experience Petra @ night (cost almost $18 pp & read this in a magazine as a must see) – pathway lit with candles set in sand in paper bags, the darkness and twinkling lights give it a sense of intrigue you don’t see during the day
- A – full moon illuminates mountain (creates beautiful silhouettes)
- B – have to navigate walk over packed earth, huge cobble stone like rocks & sandy gravel path
- 8:55 – arrive The Treasury (best known & most beautiful temple)
- 9:15 – chanting starts, followed by flute player, followed by singing
- BB (big bummer) – sitting too close to candle bag, knock it, starts on fire & burns my coat
- Another BB – that’s all there is! – they don’t light up the Treasury – Chris is totally disappointed
- 10:30 – arrive back to hotel
Petra at Night
FF – (FUN-fact) – We’ve seen a lot of children on school field trips this week. They separate the boys and girls and on you see them on alternate days.
More FF – They still have pull tabs on the soda cans here.