Jordan - a mosaic of incredible experiences

Isme Shaun.

A delicious Jordanian breakfast and then our first stop was Kerak castle. A massive Crusader castle built around the same as Showbak – but so much more remains today. Incredible views to the Dead Sea. A seemingly impregnable fortress just by virtue of its hill top location. There are a myriad of different store rooms, halls and accommodation rooms. Surely the Crusaders must have brought specialist castle architects with them, and hopefully obtained their DA and Construction certificate before proceeding!

And behold the light shone upon Isaac!

Onwards to the Dead Sea – which is surprisingly beautiful to behold. I had selected a ‘hike’ through a narrow canyon (‘Siq’) leading to a waterfall, which I thought would be the right level of dad-and-son challenge. It certainly was – a little beyond my comfort zone at times, but also extraordinarily beautiful. Unfortunately Isaac’s waterproof phone case didn’t live up to its name (and warranty) so I don’t have any photos to prove our adventure. But despite his phone no longer working, Isaac said ‘that was awesome’! It would have to be one of the best experiences of my life - especially to share it together. (For those who are concerned: hopefully Isaac's phone will feel better in the morning, if not we will read up on the case's warranty).

Next – we climbed the very steep hills up to Machaerus – the remote palace of Herod the Tetrarch, better known for the prisoner whom he kept there and then beheaded to satisfy the dancing daughter of his new wife – John the Baptist. Quite possibly John was held in one of the numerous caves nearby; Bedouin shepherds still live in them even today. 'Location, Location, Location' (if you like isolation) but the palace is today just a pile of ruins (even the pillar below had to be put back together for the tourists). The site reminded us that rulers rise and fall, but ‘since the time of John the Baptist the kingdom of God has been advancing forcibly.’

Finally we traveled on to Medaba for the night. Why Medaba you ask? Partly because its location fitted our plans, but also for it famous mosaics – especially at St George’s church, which has a mosaic map of the Middle East from the 6^th century. We knew our motel was called Pilgrims Guest House, but it didn’t occur to us that it might be the guest house of St George’s church – right next door. Location, location, location, and we enjoyed strolling the city and finding some delicious Jordanian food.

Excited for tomorrow – mosaics, Mt Nebo and crossing over to Jerusalem