Jordan with Cox & Kings
With no chance of a lie-in, on Sunday morning we set off early for a 12 kilometre hike through the mountainous communities of Rasun, Orjan and Baoun. The climb, though difficult for me in places, was well worth the amazing views. Our group leaders decided to curtail the walk as it was very hot, so we headed of to Jerash earlier than planned. Built over 2000 years ago, Jerash is very well preserved. Approaching the city, you are greeted by the Triumphal Arch, built to honour the arrival of Emperor Hadrian in AD129. Ongoing excavation work has already revealed two theatres, the oval-shaped forum, a market place, temples and churches.
We were afforded spectacular views across the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea from Mount Nebo, believed to be the site of Moses' Tomb, and is the place from where he first sighted the Promised Land. The 4th century church was closed for renovations so we were unable to see the stunning mosaic floors. However, on our visit to Madaba, we got to see the most famous Byzantine mosaics dating back to the 6th century.
Ma'in was to be our overnight stop and a well-deserved opportunity for a bit of rest and relaxation at Evason Ma'in Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa. The hotel is situated in a spectacular mountain landscape and is blessed with natural hot springs. I headed straight for the spa and spent a blissful hour having an Indian head massage. Somehow, I then ended up pressing several shirts for some of the men in our group - good job I like ironing! Another delicious meal was followed by many of us trying a nargileh for the first time - we certainly had a great laugh!
The whole group enjoyed a one hour treatment at the spa followed by a swim in the thermal pools before a midday departure for the long drive to Petra. A great evening was spent at Petra Kitchen, where all guests got stuck in preparing a dinner of local dishes before sitting down to enjoy our efforts.
My longest wish has been to visit the rose-red city of Petra and as morning dawned after a sleepless night, my tiredness vanished - this was something I wasn't going to miss out on. With an early start, our expert guide Ra'ed, led us on our way to the Nabataean carved-city which has been inhabited, until very recently, since prehistoric times. Walking through the Siq made me feel like an ant - the sides of this huge crack in the sandstone towered above me. Suddenly, before me, el Kazneh (the Treasury). My emotions got the better of me and I burst into tears - a lifelong dream, realised. Truly awe-inspiring. I could have sat for hours in wonderment but we continued on our way to walk through the rest of this amazing city. After lunch the long walk back to our hotel, an early dinner, then magical Petra by Candlelight - a candle-lit walk as far as the Treasury which was illuminated by hundreds of candles - a serene evening!
The desert shots of 'Lawrence of Arabia' were filmed at Wadi Rum, which is like a moonscape of ancient valleys and towering, weathered sandstone mountains. Our 4x4 jeep excursion sped us through the wadi. The scenery was breathtaking and some of the group took up the offer of a camel ride, led by the resident Bedouin.
Four hundred metres below sea-level is the Dead Sea, our final stop on this fantastic 'Voyage of Discovery'. We headed straight down to the beach, donning plastic shoes on the way, and straight into the sea. It's nigh on impossible to swim - you just get flipped over, so the easiest thing to do is lay back and relax. We couldn't resist covering ourselves in Dead Sea Mud, blackened from head to toe, baked in the sun, then back in the water to wash it all off!
If you have plans to visit Jordan, and you really should, please get in touch - it will stay in your heart forever!