Off Again

Saturday 9 February. Overcast, Cloudy and cold.

Check out at 7.15 and on our way to the Dead Sea. As we are waiting to board the bus Ann has a panic her Fitbit bracelet has come off. She retraces her steps and a waiter in the breakfast area has found it - crisis over.

On this part of our trip we a member of the Tourist police on board, our guide says this is normal? There is no threats and we have felt completely safe. Jordan relies a lot on tourism and our guide continually tells us how safe and hospitable the area is. We have found no reason to dispute this.

Our first stop is where Moses struck the rock to provide water for the Jews and I put my hand in the spring that is still running there. The water tastes clear and not cold as I expected. We are about 1000 metres above sea level and heading towards the Shobak Castle a crusader fort built in 1115. It is on a hill and looks difficult to attack. The castle has been destroyed inside but the walls remain. Our guide tells us that this area is expecting snow next week and it dose snow in this area quite often.

After the castle we visit the smallest hotel in the world, it turns out to be a car the barely size of a Volkswagen converted into a bedroom. As we leave the owner provides each one of us with old stone decorations that he fossicks from the area, they will go well with pottery shards I picked up in Petra.

We then drive for another 80 mins to Karak to view the Crusader castle built in 1142. It was a defensive area built much earlier but was expanded and heavily fortified by the crusaders. After Saladin defeated the crusaders he took over but then the ottomans occupied it and did the last expansion in the 14th century. It covers 25300 square metres and has 7 levels. It is set high up on a mountaintop it is windy and freezing. It is an impressive castle.

We now head towards Madaba known as the city of Mosaics. It is at least a two hour drive. On the way in response to a question Nidal tells us before guiding he was a major in the police force. As a policeman his duties covered all aspects of policing such as criminal investigation, tourism, immigration, security and even time as an international policeman through the U.N. He spent time in Bosnia and Dhafor in the Sudan. He also gave us his views on the Middle East and Israel, it is very complicated. Jerusalem seems to be the key to any lasting peace. He acknowledges that Jerusalem is important to Christianity, muslims and Judaism.

We arrive at Madaba at 1.30. The drive to Madaba reveals a very different landscape, it has changed from sandy desert on both sides of the road to rich farming land. It is now green on both sides with the crops starting to grow. Madaba is a city of 55,000 people. It is a very busy city. We head to the Greek Orthodox Church of St George. When they started to build the church, while digging the foundations they discovered a mosaic. Which turned out to be a map of Jordan and Palestine to the north and Egypt to the south, dated to be made around 560 ad. It is a quite detailed and accurate map. We have a lovely lunch and then head off to Mt Nebo.

On the way we have a stop at the “factory” for souvenirs. During our time there the weather closes in and it is raining with poor visibility. When we get to Mt Nebo it is raining and half the group decide to stay in the bus. We head off in the rain but after 5 mins it clears. Our guide is excited because he thinks we will be able to see Jerusalem. He is right and we can just make out the towers of Jerusalem.  Mt Nebo is where Moses lived out his remaining years as he was forbidden by god to enter the promised land. We can see down into the Jordan valley. The church atop of the mountain has beautiful mosaics on the floors and walls. From here we descend to the Dead Sea. We are about 600 metres above sea level and will end up 420 metres below sea level.

We get to our hotel about 5 pm. It is massive, with a large pool and on the beach front although it is a good 5 to 8 minute walk to the beach. Our room has a large balcony overlooking the Dead Sea. Myself and one other plan a dip in the Dead Sea. We head down about 5.30 and when we get there we are told it is closed. It closes at Sunset. Bit pissed off, so we plan to go at 7 am tomorrow.

Dinner is another buffet! We are all getting sick and tired of buffets!