I would like to share our experiences in Jordan, from the day one we arrived in Amman.
Day 1. - Scanning the city
The weather was really cold, plus it was raining when we landed in Amman. We arrived half past three in the afternoon, but the surrounding was a little dark and we can hardly see the area. My sister-in-law and Qaher (whom we hired to tour us around) fetched us at the airport and we directly went our way to the hotel.
After bringing our things to the hotel, we went to a local restaurant nearby. We ordered local Biryani and sharwarma. Their food was somewhat the same as what we have in Abu Dhabi, but with a twist of Jordanian taste.
I noticed that their signages are mostly in Arabic. The city is far from what's in Abu Dhabi, but what amazed me was the mini-lights fitted along the road edges.
After an hour, we drove back to our hotel and prepared for the following day - our Petra trip.
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| Seth, the Little Explorer |
Day 2 - The Petra Experience
With a three-hour trip, we left Amman at four in the morning to go to the famous Petra. On our way, we faced a very thick foggy morning. But when we arrived just before the Petra, we saw the beautiful hills and plains of Jordan. We even took photos.
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| Stopped for a few minutes to take photos |
After we paid our tickets (JOD 50 per person, JOD 1 for my sis-in-law as she has a Jordanian ID), we immediately went on our way to Petra. The place was a jaw-dropping scene. It was really really beautiful. On our way to the The Treasury, the road was paved and sand-packed. Few locals came to us offering for a donkey or camel ride. You can see rock-cut architecture. The rocks blend with the sorroundings with rosy, browish and redish colors. My husband feasted his eyes to the beauty of Petra. It was really a wow factor. You really cannot describe how magnificent the place was.
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| My husband with his camera |
We finally gazed the beautiful and famous The Treasury. Many tourists like us, took group photos and selfies. My Seth enjoyed playing in the sand, picking up stones infront of the The Treasury. After an hour or two, we rented three donkeys with our two guides to go back to the gate, in a different route. On our way, we gazed upon these rock mountains. The Bedouins were very warm and smiley. Although it was a one-hour journey and we were tired and exhausted, but seeing the Creator's hand-molded solid rocks from the top of the mountain, it was breath-taking.
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| the journey back to the gate |
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| Seth playing with the camel |
Day 3: The Biblical and Roman/Byzantine era Places
We left the hotel at seven in the morning. It was raining and foggy. On our way to see Mt. Nebo, I prayed that God will bring sunshine so we can enjoy the day. We stopped by the St. George Church in Madaba, wherein the largest mosaic map of the Holy Land is situated. The place was quiet. In a dim corner of the church, I knelt down and offered a prayer to my family and friends.
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| Antique Store infront of St. George Church in Madaba |
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| inside the St. George Church in Madaba |
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| the St. George Church |
We left the church with a little December rain, and just before we hit Mt. Nebo, the sun started to shine. I was really excited because I know the story of Mt. Nebo from a biblical perspective. It was where God has brought Moses to see the Promised Land.
We were greeted by a "royal" tourist guide (he said he only guides royal people who visit the place, that's an awesome thing from God for letting me know, we are royal.) You really cannot describe when God give you surprises like that. It's sweet.
So he toured us around Mt. Nebo, when we were about to hit the top, another man came and said, it's the perfect weather to see the place. (Thank you God for that another extra special thing). The guide was really knowledgeable. I have heard from him a lot of facts and stories about that place that I have never read from any blog or website. One is the story of the olive trees that the late Pope John Paul has planted. ( I already shared this in our church).
As I set foot ontop of the mountain, I can't help but tears rolling down, because setting your foot on the place where the biblical event actually happened is a great joy. After we take photos, I asked my husband for a moment alone. So he, Seth and my sister-in-law went down first. I was left alone with some other tourists. I was reminiscing the story where Moses was looking down the Holy Place, I was crying in silence. How must had he felt when God only allowed him to see the land, but not actually set foot on it. I don't know, he must be crying as well?
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| view from Mt. Nebo |
We left Mt. Nebo, still with a sense of fulfillment in my heart.
Our next stop is The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ.The site is located in the lowest land part of the earth so as we went on, you can hardly hear. We arrived at the meeting place with the other tourists, as we wait for the bus to take us to the actual baptism site.
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| while waiting for the bus |
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| Seth in the Jordan River |
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| The Baptism site |
I can't describe how amazing it was to be in the exact place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptism. The account is found in
Mat. 3:16-17
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that
moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my
Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
I know that someday, Seth will come again in this place by himself. I will teach him about Jesus, and will proud to tell him that he has been there where the baptism actually happened.
After spending hours in the baptism site, we headed to The Dead Sea. It's mesmerizing. If the sea could only talk, I could stay and listen to her stories.
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| The Dead Sea. |
We headed back to Amman and visited the Citadel and the Roman Amphiteater. Seeing Amman from that view is jaw-dropping. These beautiful white buildings mounted in the hills are very scenic.
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| My Sister-in-law in Citadel of Amman |
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| the Roman Amphiteater in the background |
It's almost dark and we were hungry. We decided to eat in the seafood resto, Oceans. I read good reviews about this place, and truly, they have good food. We left the place with happy tummy.
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| while waiting for the food to serve |
Our last night in Amman, we went home by foot and took photos in Abdali. The evening breeze added to the December feeling of walking along with the love of your life.
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| LOVE, yes, that verb. Love for Jordan. |
Jordan, is a place I must 100% recommend especially to my Christian friends. A money-worth travel, visiting the biblical places where the stories actually happened is a different feeling. Pastor Dennis Sy wrote that "Seeing the place where the Bible takes place changes your perspective of what you read in Scripture." That is really true.
With good food, cold December weather, fine Jordanian people, what else can you ask for?
I thank God for allowing us to see and experience this place. I will forever treasure this moment with the love of my life.
Till next journey!
