Reports of the trip to Jordan - Spring 2011
A land of Contrasts……
Amman. What a city, traffic jams, noise, hilarious traffic cop, brilliant driving by Mahmoud and later, Wadi Rum, occasional dusty vehicle, grumpy camels, Bedouins in the middle of nowhere offering their email address, awe-inspiring scenery, Mahmoud now upgraded to brilliant mechanic, and on…
Loads of castles, but the last one was a bit different; a bathhouse in the middle of the desert (good idea really) and with naked nymphs on the ceiling. Hadrian has put it about a bit and what a joy to be able to bring to life those Latin and Greek lessons of many years ago, and on……
Military visible and our very own tourist policeman, Mohammed. He spotted wanderers quickly and saved many from certain death crossing roads…but so discreet. French bombers flying over Libya, riots in many Middle East countries …a little edginess, but the average Jordanian seemed pretty relaxed, provided you handed over one dinar for your post cards, and on…
Suddenly, from nowhere, the Jordanian Ministress for Tourism appears on our bus (well done Jane), but she did not look as if she had tried the loos in Jerash. “Anon” had a go about litter…quite right. The large army of litterpickers at Petra (mostly seated) clearly need some redeployment!
Nearly 250 words already and have not touched luxury hotels, pink sand, buffet suppers, Maximus Cardo, falling over, amphitheatres, bagpipes, Madaba Mosaic, Mt Nebo, Siq El Barid, Dead Sea, Black Mud and on and on…seven wonderful days with Zaid; never miss the chance to go to Jordan.
Mike Lewis
On returning home from our magical visit to Jordan, we bring with us impressions of an extremely interesting country. For a start, the variations in climate are amazing. The Mediterranean climate in the north with its olive groves and vineyards, and the tropical area around the Dead Sea, where bananas grow and bougainvilleas bloom, provide a startling contrast to the desert region in the south where, at Wadi Rum, the rocky sandstone mountains sculpted by the wind rise vertically from a sea of sand.
The archaeological sites we visited were truly memorable. Petra was the most unique and extraordinary. Created by the Nabataean Arabs from the 6th century BC, it is approached through a narrow cleft between towering cliffs until, reaching the end, we found in front of us an incredible two story façade sculpted out of the rock itself. Known as the Treasury this was the tomb of the Nabataean kings. Other tombs had also been created in the cliffs.
Jerash was originally a Greek city developed by the Romans with temples, arches, a colonnaded circular forum and Cardo Maximus or main street. At the Roman theatre four Jordanians with bagpipes and drums entertained us playing the Sky Boat Song, an unforgetable experience! Two impressive castles in commanding positions on hilltops built at Ajlun by Arabs and at Kerak by Crusaders reflect the history of this region.
We will also remember the friendliness, kindness and helpfulness of the Jordanian people, particularly those who escorted us on this wonderful adventure.
Loveday Gee
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a lovely country to visit with friendly and welcoming people. This is the opinion of 42 intrepid travellers from Brecon NADFAS who have just returned from visiting this wonderful country.
We were accompanied in Jordan by Zaid, our knowledgeable and friendly Jordanian guide. Our safety was assured by Mohammed - the tourist policeman who was always there to lend a helping hand and our very competent driver Mahmoud, whose driving was impeccable, and when the coach broke down just set forth and repaired it on the spot.
Among the many places visited were Jerash - probably the best preserved Roman City in the world, the mosaics of Madaba, Mount Nebo from where Moses viewed the Promised Land, and from where we saw our first sight of the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley.
The ancient city of Petra was, for many, the highlight of the tour. The first sight of the Treasury is something we will never forget as it appeared in sunshine at the end of the Siq. Some made the trek up 900 steps to the magnificent Monastery, whilst others opted for a camel ride!
Little Petra, in complete contrast, was very serene and without the crowds of Petra, preferred by some.
After viewing the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a jeep ride was taken into Wadi Rum, and an ideal end to the holiday was a float in the Dead Sea which lies 400 metres below Sea Level.
Christina Gale
JORDAN! Oh JORDAN! What treasures you hold,
Amman to Petra, your pillars stand bold,
In Jerash, we saw, to our great delight,
Fine ruins, and fountains, historical site.
The bagpipes were playing in small theatre there,
We listened in rapture in cool evening air.
The Citadel plan was very well laid,
The Hercules hand was there displayed,
The power of Rome, which long held sway,
To run this province day by day.
Then on to desert castles three,
Where Lawrence stayed, for all to see,
Next Madaba Church, mosaics are laid,
And on where Moses’ bones decayed.
PETRA! Oh PETRA! – no foe could trace
This Nabataen secret place,
This rose-pink jewel is just so fine,
And every soul must surely pine,
And dream of gorges, water, light,
And bless the day they saw this site.
Amman to Petra, your pillars stand bold,
In Jerash, we saw, to our great delight,
Fine ruins, and fountains, historical site.
The bagpipes were playing in small theatre there,
We listened in rapture in cool evening air.
The Citadel plan was very well laid,
The Hercules hand was there displayed,
The power of Rome, which long held sway,
To run this province day by day.
Then on to desert castles three,
Where Lawrence stayed, for all to see,
Next Madaba Church, mosaics are laid,
And on where Moses’ bones decayed.
PETRA! Oh PETRA! – no foe could trace
This Nabataen secret place,
This rose-
And dream of gorges, water, light,
And bless the day they saw this site.
WADI RUM, an enchanting place,
Where Lawrence made his Arab base,
There his Wisdom Pillars Seven,
Seem to soar right up to Heaven.
Last day, to face that funny salt,
The Dead Sea depth is in a fault
In Earth’s strange crust – this water’s odd,
No chance of catching nice plump cod!
Jane and Dorcas were Mothers in Charge,
Their charm and humour looming large,
To them we owe a very big debt,
They made this trip a winning bet.
In some small corner of that land,
With so much more to understand,
Perhaps a little sand and rock,
Will be forever our Brecknock.
Where Lawrence made his Arab base,
There his Wisdom Pillars Seven,
Seem to soar right up to Heaven.
Last day, to face that funny salt,
The Dead Sea depth is in a fault
In Earth’s strange crust – this water’s odd,
No chance of catching nice plump cod!
Jane and Dorcas were Mothers in Charge,
Their charm and humour looming large,
To them we owe a very big debt,
They made this trip a winning bet.
In some small corner of that land,
With so much more to understand,
Perhaps a little sand and rock,
Will be forever our Brecknock.
Chris and Belle Lee