Whether you yearn for adventure, a sense of the past, the loveliness of nature or spiritual self discovery, you will be sure to unearth your perfect getaway in the Kingdom of Treasures; The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Jordan is a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts, from the Jordan Valley, fertile, ever changing, to the remote desert canyons, enormous and tranquil. You can explore grand desert castles, gaze in awe at the haunting wilderness of Wadi Rum, bathe in the restful waters of the Red Sea, be spiritually bowled-over by Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site at Bethany or be enthralled by the buoyancy of the Dead Sea.
Jordan had always fascinated me and when I had the opportunity to visit Jordan, I grabbed it with both hands. I have highlighted briefly about the places that were visited by us; but surely no amount of descriptive prose can do justice to the splendor and beauty of Jordan. You have to be there to experience it all.
There are many more places to visit and treasure; but sadly you have little time and you can be at one place only at a time. Wish you enjoy what I have tried to portray; and if you can, do make a trip to Jordan to revere in the exquisiteness and grandeur of Jordan, which will be an experience you will remember for ever.
Bethany
Bethany, Beyond the Jordan, is where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized in the early 1st century A.D. It is a revered site, as it is here that Jesus traveled across the Jordan river to be baptized by John the Baptist.
The spot where Jesus was baptized
Elijah?s Hill
This is the place where Prophet Elijah was taken into heaven in a chariot of fire.
The Church of Arch (John Paul II)
This church was built during the 5th and 6th centuries AD. It has a mosaic floor with cross decorations and arches supporting the roof. This church was renamed after His Holiness Pope John Paul II to commemorate his visit and blessing of the site in March 2000.
John the Baptist Church
At the Jordan River, the ruins of a Byzantine Monastry is found. It is located at the traditional site where the baptism of Jesus is said to have taken place. This site is officially recognized by the Vatican as the place of Jesus Christ baptism.
The New orthodox church ?opened to the public in September 2004. It is said that the domes of the church are of gold.
River Jordan
Path where John the Baptist walked towards the river Jordan, is lined with Tamyrus Trees
The Dead Sea
Deep in the Jordan Valley is the Dead Sea. A visit to the dead sea is a memorable experience and a must-do for a visit to Jordan. As you drive towards the Dead Sea, and descend lower and lower down the mountains, your ears get blocked and you feel you are on an airplane. The Dead Sea is about 410 meters below sea level and is said to be the lowest point on the earth?s surface. You can float like a cork in waters of the Dead Sea. The buoyancy is caused due to high salinity of the water. This endorheic body of water is the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.
The mineral content of the water, the low content of pollen, and high atmospheric pressure at this depth, each have a special health effect. The waters and mud of the Dead Sea are said to have certain curative powers, and you have many spas and natural treatment centers sprouting close-by. I got a few Dead Sea bath-salts for some of my friends.
The history of the Dead Sea goes all the way back to remote antiquity. Jericho is located north of the dead sea. The cities of Sodom and Gomorra, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, are said to be somewhere beneath the Dead Sea. Herod, Jesus and John the Baptist were closely linked with the Dead Sea and its surroundings. Aristotle had written about the Dead Sea.
PETRA
Petra, an ancient Nabatean city, is indisputably the most famous attraction of Jordan. It is one of the great archaeological treasures in the world. Petra was the capital of the Nabateans-Arabs, who dominated the lands of Jordan during pre-Roman times. The Victorian traveler and poet Dean Burgon, gave Petra its apt description “A rose-red city, half as old as time”.
Petra?s charm comes from its awesome, multicoloured sandstone high mountains; steep rocky slopes, towering mountain tops and high cliffs, into which most of the celebrated tombs, facades, theatres and stairways are carved. Nature and architecture harmonize into conferring a mythical aura to Petra. You need at least 3 days to have a full exploratory coverage of Petra. The entrance fee to this site is JD 21/- per person. Just to cover the preliminary part of Petra (by foot) took us 10 hours.
Along the route, you can hire a donkey, a horse or a camel, to aid you in your trek; which will give it that extra special feel:
AS-SIQ
Main entrance to Petra, A 1200 M long, deep and narrow gorge. It is hemmed by cliffs soaring upto 80 meters. Its stunning natural beauty enthralls you.
Al-Khazneh (Treasury)
This is one of the most beautiful monument in Petra. It is situated at the end of the As-Siq and just when you think you have seen enough dazzling sights in the Siq, emerging from it you come face to face with the Al-Khazneh. The upper order consists of a central kiosk flanked by dancing Amazons and victories. The kiosk is crowned by a capital supporting a funerary urn that was supposed to conceal Pharaoh?s treasures according to the local tradition. You feel dwarfed by the huge size of the fa?ade (30 M wide and 43 M high). It was carved in the 1st century B.C. as a tomb and later used as a temple.
Street of Facades and the Theatre
The Street of Facades, rows of Nabataean tombs and intricate carvings are noticed just after the Al-Khazneh. There is a theatre which looks Roman and was executed by the Nabataeans in the 1st Century AD. It is carved in solid rock and can seat about 7000 people.
Royal Tombs
Ad-Deir (Monastery)
Colonnaded Street
A flight of 800 stairs cut into the rock takes you up the mountain, where you see the Monastery (Ad-Deir). All along the way you see beautiful marvelous mountains scenes. It is a test of your endurance skills as your trudge slowly up the mountains, which takes you at least 2 hours, but once you reach the top you feel it was well worth the effort. It dates back to early 2nd century AD.
The old marble pavement is still visible today.
To be continued….
Author: Judith Serrao- UAE