Umayyad Palace at the Citadel
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Temple of Hercules at the Citadel
Temple of Hercules at the Citadel
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Amman covers 19 hills, but it started on only seven. The one downtown holds the Citadel on its flat top. There are some pretty good views from the top and a museum has some interesting bits including a sample of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In general, the Amman tourist attractions are lackluster, but there are a couple good day trips from Amman.
Roman Amphitheatre
Roman Amphitheatre
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
This place dates from the 2nd century, when this was the Roman city of Philadephia. It can seat 6000 and is still used for performances today. It is next to the Odeon and Forum.
Ammonites finishing their Friday midday prayer
Ammonites finishing their Friday midday prayer
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
From Kerak, I took a bus to Ammnan, just over an hour away. It was Friday so almost everything was closed.
There are loads more worshippers on Fridays, the Muslim equivalent of the Christian Sunday. The devout even kneel on mats on the sidewalks, spilling out into the streets. There, they listen to what appears to be a sermon for about an hour. This is just after services had completed.
Evening snack at Tower Castle Hotel
Evening snack at Tower Castle Hotel
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
These guys were great. In Kerak, I stayed at this hotel and in the evening these guys, the workers and manager of the hotel, invited us to join them for some food: pita bread, french fries, and fried gizzards. I also had some mint tea with them. I offered to pay, but they refused. Jordanians are really nice.
Banana plantation, fresh water, and the Dead Sea
Banana plantation, fresh water, and the Dead Sea
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
The Jordanian side of the Dead Sea has a lot of farms. They pump in fresh water for irrigation systems. They even have banana trees, which is strange sight to see in the desert.
The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
The lowest natural point on land, 400 meters below sea level, it's an ear popping bus ride down here. I took a local bus ride down here and then walked a mile to get to the muddy shore. Weng tried to do a Dead Sea Float, but he had trouble getting past the water's edge, the clay was so soft, he sank to his knees.
Cracked earth near the Dead Sea
Cracked earth near the Dead Sea
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Like my heel, which would prevent me from venturing into the salty brine.
Al-Kerak, Crusader fortress
Al-Kerak, Crusader fortress
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Kerak was built in the 11th century as one of the crusader castles. These castles were built within line of sight of one another so that light signals could be passed from Aqaba to the Turkish border within 12 hours.
This castle was also depicted in the movie, "Kingdom of Heaven", as its last lord was Reynald de Chatillion, who was killed by Saladin.
Hey, that's the Dead Sea
Hey, that's the Dead Sea
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Only 22 km away is the southern part of the Dead Sea. I didn't know I would be this close when I went to Kerak.
Hitchhiking to Kerak
Hitchhiking to Kerak
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
From Petra, I got on a bus headed to Amman, which dropped me off at the freeway offramp for Karak. I waited around 15 minutes until a nice businessman gave me a free lift to Karak.
The wall that al Siq weaves through
The wall that al Siq weaves through
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
You can see the town of Wadi Musa at the top of the photo. This massive wall of rock hides Petra from invaders.
The depth of the rock
The depth of the rock
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
This is how much rock was cut away by the Nabataeans to make the Monastery.
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