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Jordan & Israël 2019
  • WhorledTravelers
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Jordan & Israël 2019

A 16-day adventure by WhorledTravelers Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 27, 2019
    WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Sound system, fancy lightingJohn in his podBreakfast on Qatar AirlinesWe can look ahead!

    A great flight

    September 27, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    We are off for two weeks in Jordan with a short side trip to Israel. The travel bloggers are right. Can’t beat Qatar business class QSuite. Philadelphia to Doha, Doha to Amman Jordan. Lie flat seats overnight, privacy (there are doors on the suite!), great food, couldn’t be nicer. We were greeted with their signature mocktail of lemon, sugar and mint. We chose a traditional Arabic breakfast. There is even a camera on the tail so we can see where we are going. Best flight ever.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Our private pool from our villa balcony
    Our private pool from our villa balcony1The spa outdoor pool and main hotel buildingHotel lobby. So many orchids.The hotel building where the restaurants are.Ready for a dip? Those steps lead down to the black mud bathing area.Flowers in front of the spa buildingThe spa buildingDusk looking south from the hotel.Beautiful pools everywhere.

    Arriving in Jordan, Dead Sea

    September 29, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 73 °F

    We arrived late last night. What better way to recover from a long flight than 36 hours at a spa hotel on the Dead Sea. The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea in Sweimeh was perfect and less than an hour cab ride from the Amman airport. A spacious room with a balcony/patio overlooking our private pool and sunsets over the Dead Sea. Israel on the horizon.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Other travelers covered in Dead Sea black mud.Yes, I can float. Look ma, no hands!The spa pool.The terrace restaurantGive him a pale ale and he is happy anywhere. Karakale.Sunset over Israel from the restaurant terraceJerusalem is somewhere in the far horizon

    Black mud at the lowest point on earth

    September 29, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 77 °F

    A full day at the hotel today. We made our way down to the Dead Sea where we, and everyone else, covered ourselves with black mud dredged up in buckets from the sea bed. People sit on the benches to dry and then wash off in the sea. Later we had a black mud wrap, saunas and a swim at the beautiful spa. Dinner at sunset on the hotel’s terrace.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    The walled city of Jerusalem.
    The walled city of Jerusalem.See the fish in the Jordan River in the mosaic to the right?St. George's MadabaFerrymen in the Dead Sea at the far right half way up?Madaba, a small town

    Madaba - Mosaic Tiles

    September 30, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 66 °F

    We hired a driver today to take us to a number of sites on the way to Amman. St. George's Greek Orthodox Basilica (19th c.) in Madaba houses the oldest map of Palestine in existence. The mosaics, crafted in 542-570 A.D. , were in a Byzantium church. They show details of the Jordan River, Dead Sea, walled city of Jerusalem, Karak Castle, used by the Crusaders, and other landmarks. Amazing and beautiful. Mosaics retain color unlike any other art form.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    The view across the desert and Dead Sea to Israel from Mt. Nebo.
    The view across the desert and Dead Sea to Israel from Mt. Nebo.A bedouin encampment below Mt.Nebo.Olive groves in the valley.The Abu Bado, used as a door to the Byzantine monasteryThe current church on Mt. Nebo.Monument from John Paul II visit to Mt NeboStone pieces from an early church (300 AD?)Foundations of earlier church structres atop Mt. Nebo.Byzantine church tiles uncovered at Mt. Nebo.Byzantium tiles, 350 AD

    Mount Nebo - What Moses Saw

    September 30, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 84 °F

    Religious scholars have determined Mount Nebo is the place in Jordan from which Moses saw the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy also says Moses died and was buried on Mt Nebo. A church/basilica was built there around 300 A.D. and these mosaics from that church were uncovered. The site has been home to many religious over the years. The stone monument commemorates the visit of Pope John Paul II.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Lots of low white buildings - limestone and cement. View from our hotel.
    Lots of low white buildings - limestone and cement. View from our hotel.The St. Regis Amman - loved it!We had tea in this lovely lounge at the hotelYes, Amman was the FIRST Philadelphia. We are right at home.The fruit and vegetable souk.Brooms, gourds and spices here.Rose hips, hibiscus, bay leaves and so much moreDates - want them fresh or dried?Okra - a staple of Middle Eastern cookingKing Abdullah Mosque courtyardBeautiful tile workKing Abdullah Mosque ceilingThe King Abdullah Mosque holds 7000 men for worshipYou can hear the call from this minaret for miles.Seen driving into Amman - Ikea of course!

    The City of Amman

    September 30, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 79 °F

    A sprawling city below us from our room at the new St. Regis Amman. So much to see. The next day we had a guide to take us through parts of the city, including the fruit and vegetable souk. I rented an abayah (long black covering) and bought a scarf for my hair so we could enter and see the King Abdullah Mosque.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Hadrian's Arch
    Hadrian's ArchHadrian's Arch, built 129.The ForumLooking down the Cardo Maximus to the Temple of Artemis.The south theatreView from the Temple of ArtemisTemple of ArtemisThe ForumThe colonnaded Cardo Maximus. Can you picture the chariots rolling down the road?

    Jerash

    October 1, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 73 °F

    Jerash was a Roman provincial city of the Decapolis located north of Amman and these ruins date from the 1st century AD. It is the most well-preserved Roman city of the Middle East. Hadrian's triumphant arch was constructed in 129 to mark his visit. The city was abandoned in 747 after an earthquake. It was rediscovered as an archeological site in the late 1800's. The Cardo Maximus is the long colonnaded avenue through the center of the city. We had a great guide and never expected to see something this ancient and beautiful as part of our visit.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Great signage helped us understand the sight . . .
    Great signage helped us understand the sight . . .. . . And a quick history of the region.Our guide show us ancient washing basinsThe arenaFrom atop the CitadelPillars of the Temple of Hercules.Nabataean bust, 1st century ADThe earliest known statute done by man; Neolithic found at JerichoThe Roman arena. Secret tunnels led from where we are standing down to the arena and hippodrome.

    Jebel Al Qula'a / Philadelphia / Citadel

    October 1, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 84 °F

    Ancient Amman. Jerash was to the north but Amman was itself a city of the Decapolis (a trading partnership, of sorts) . Continuously inhabited since 1800 BC (the Bronze Age), and referred to in the Old Testament as Rabbath. Rebuilt about 250 BC by Ptolomy ruler Philadelphus. Redesigned during Herod's Roman rule around 30 BC. This is the highest hill in Amman. Interesting museum at the top too.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Amman airport
    Amman airportRoyal Jordanian Airlines - Amman to Tel AvivBoring train ride from airport to JerusalemDelicious dinnerThe walls of the old city

    We are off to Jerusalem today

    October 2, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 63 °F

    We chose to fly from the Amman airport to Tel Aviv and backtrack to Jerusalem on a train. Much quicker than taking a cab to the Israeli border less than 30 miles away, but waiting for hours and hours to cross the border. Staying at the Mamilla Hotel near the old city.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Olive trees in the GardenThe eastern wall of Temple Mount.The Garden of Gethsemene in foreground right.The south wall of Temple Mount and the El-Aqsa Mosque (11th century) center top.Dome of the Rock - so beautiful.The tile work!The madrashThe vast plaza of Temple Mount.Patrolled for everyone's safety.The western wall surrounding Temple Mount.

    Jerusalem Part 1

    October 3, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ 63 °F

    We started with Steve Rubin, our guide, up on the Mount of Olives so we could see the city of Jerusalem out before us. We then travelled to the Garden of Gethsemene and ate our first Jerusalem pretzels along the way to the Old City. We were fortunate to be permitted through Moor’s Gate, the entrance leading directly to Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock (built 688 AD). It is often closed and we were subject to a security search with armed guards most everywhere. We were reprimanded by a Muslim guard for touching while taking a picture together, we just didn’t know! A beautiful and holy place for all religions. The Rock inside the Dome is said to be where Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    The Cotton Merchants Gate. Only Arabs may enter Temple Mount here.Coming down from the Gate into the market streets of the Arab quarterTime for coffeeHow did he do that?How many kinds of olives can there be?Za'atar, a staple of Middle East flavoring.The Damascus Gate. Palestine.Via DolorosaThe Western (Wailing) Wall, no women allowedNear the Western Wall. The raised passageway starts outside the city walls and leads to Moors Gate

    Jerusalem - Part 2

    October 3, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ 73 °F

    We entered the souk from Temple Mount through the Cotton Merchants Gate and stopped for coffee before a few hours of shopping and lunch. Only Muslims are permitted to re-enter Temple Mount through this gate. This part of the city is the Arab Quarter.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Church of the Holy Sepulchre
    Church of the Holy SepulchreWhere Jesus' body may have been laid after his death. People put their belongings there to be blesseGolgatha?Columns from the original buildingShrine around the purported tombShrineStones so many many centuries old

    Jerusalem Part 3

    October 3, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ 73 °F

    Ending our full day in Jerusalem with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, said to be built around the sites of Christ’s cruxifiction, burial and resurrection. Rich Christian history. And then out of the Old City through the Jaffa Gate.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Market House in Jaffa, tiny but comfortable. The balcony is our room.
    Market House in Jaffa, tiny but comfortable. The balcony is our room.Market House lobbyView out hotel windowFlea market stalls along the small streets of JaffaNeed a light?Interesting gallery, orphaned keys anyone ?I think this must be my mother's collection of non-working watches.Neighborhood fruit standJaffa side street

    Jaffa and Tel Aviv

    October 4, 2019 in Israel ⋅ 84 °F

    Two quick days and nights in Tel Aviv and Jaffa. Stayed at the Market House in Jaffa, perfect for what we needed. The first day we explored around our hotel and headed into Tel Aviv for a little bit of business (Lisa) and Carmel Market.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Sunset Tel Aviv
    Sunset Tel AvivA real port, fishing nets piled everywhereSalatim - beets, humus, cauliflower, pita, pickled vegetables, guacamole and lots moreHe is not often overwhelmed by the food in front of him!The stairs from the port to townTel Aviv

    Dinner at Jaffa Port

    October 4, 2019 in Israel ⋅ 81 °F

    We took a sunset stroll around Jaffa and down to the port for dinner. Beautiful sunset looking back towards Tel Aviv and down in the port. There are many fish restaurants at the port and we picked one from a guide book . Look at all the salatim -before dinner! Good thing dinner was a piece of grilled fish.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Arriving in EilatThe mountains of Jordan in the distanceThe border

    And we are off to Aqaba

    October 6, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 77 °F

    Our time in Israel was short. Today we flew from Tel Aviv to Eilat on the Red Sea. Then we cabbed it to the Jordanian border and walked across with our bags. Then a cab to our hotel in Aqaba, Jordan. We have never crossed a border on foot before, it was a bit scary even though there was no reason for it to be.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    Looking back out towards the town of Aqaba
    Looking back out towards the town of AqabaThe KempinskiEvening's entertainmentSaudi Arabia on the upper leftEgypt in the backgroundIsrael, Egypt, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, right to left. And of course we are standing in Jordan.

    Hotel Spa in Jordan Redux

    October 6, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 95 °F

    We liked the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar so much we decided to stay at the Kempinski Aqaba on the Red Sea. Another beautiful hotel. It was thrilling to sit on the beach and swim in the Red Sea. One only needs to turn ones’s head from right to left to see Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia from the chair. Lots of oil tankers - makes you appreciate how important the Red Sea is geographically.Read more

  • WhorledTravelersJordan & Israël 2019Traveler
    The spring high up at Lawrence of Arabia's encampment
    The spring high up at Lawrence of Arabia's encampmentLooking down from the springIt was a long climb up for John. A rope marked the way.It is difficult to put the vastness in perspective without the jeep or the bedouin tents center.Cairns left by touristsA good hike through the cleft to see petroglyphsSandstone erodes in amazing patternsThis was our transportation through the wadi

    Wadi Rum

    October 7, 2019 in Jordan ⋅ 68 °F

    Wadi (“valley”) Rum is located an hour northeast of Aqaba. It is still inhabited by Bedouins and they have built a tourist business here. We had a driver take us to the settlement where we met our tour guide.Read more

  • Trip end
    October 12, 2019