We took a flight from Cairo to Amman, Jordan to meet our new guide and group, although five of us were joining another ten for the Jordan tour.
The first site to visit was Jerash, a Roman city (“Gerasa”) that was part of the “Decapolis” league of ten cities that were strategically located in the region.
Site plan
Among the buildings is a very impressive amphitheatre.
Rim (pronounced Reem) our Jordan guide describing the site and history.
Standing on the arched spot just in front of Rim, the impressive acoustics project sound so that it can be heard at the very top of the amphitheatre.
The raised stage
Steep, scary climb to the top
The Oval forum
Now it was time to head for the Dead Sea – the lowest point on land on Earth at 430 metres below sea level.
Dead Sea signs at sea level before descending
First view of the Dead Sea. Israel is on the opposite bank.
We were allowed to use the facilities of a hotel, and their private “beach”.
Michelle floating
Finally Ronnie can float here too!
The group
Next we plastered ourselves with the mineral-rich mud. The skin did feel very smooth afterwards. I’m not sure if it was the minerals or just the sandpaper affect.
After the Dead Sea, we returned to Amman and visited the Citadel.
Roman temple of Hercules
View over Amman
The Umayyad Palace mosque
Interesting wooden roof inside
Late group lunch
Ramadan starts tomorrow, so food and drink will be harder to come by. Travellers are however one of the groups that are exempt from fasting. It was difficult to get alcohol in the predominantly Muslim countries of Egypt and Jordan before, now it will be almost impossible.
