Mount Nebo, Bethany and the Dead Sea

We took the public bus from Amman to Madaba, and it was an interesting experience. The hotel manager wrote instructions in Arabic for us to show the taxi driver, so he could take us to the bus station. When we reached the bus station we saw that all bus signs were in Arabic, and the taxi driver had to circle the station several times before he found the right bus for us! We quickly realized we would have had no chance on our own! We hoped it was the right bus! For even though we had yet another note from the hotel manager with the name 'Madaba' in Arabic written on it, we were not sure.

Anyways, it was the right bus. There are no official bus stops, so you either tell the driver when you want to get off, or if you want to get on, you just wave at curb side. It took quite a while to get out off Amman due to traffic and many stops along the way. Madaba is only located about 30 km south west of Amman, but the trip took about 1.5 hours, and took us along fields of wheat and many green houses. The bus ride cost about 1.25 JD each (about 2 Cdn).The bus system in Jordan is cheap, because it is heavily subsidized by the government.

We got off at the bus station in Madaba, and took a taxi the short distance to Mariam Hotel again with help from our hotel manager in Amman.

MADABA

Madaba is an easy-going market town, and it was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Amman. Madaba is mostly known for its fine Byzantine mosaics. We visited St. George's Church, and saw what is left of the remarkable mosaic map of the Holy Land. The map was laid some time between 542 and 570 AD. The original map comprised over 2 million pieces and was 15.6 meters long and 6 m wide. Combined with evidence from the biblical text, pilgrims' and historians' accounts and archeological works, this map played an important role in history, leading to the re-discovery of many lost sites.

We also visited the Archeological Park, where we saw more beautiful mosaics, and what is left of the Church of the Virgin, which was constructed in the late 6th century.

The Madaba Art Gallery displays works by local artists as well as Jordanian painters, so we popped in to take a look. Some of the artists are really talented.

Due to lack of public transportation, we hired a car and a driver to take us on a day trip to Mt. Nebo, Bethany and the Dead Sea (CAD$52), and the driver would wait for 1 hour at each site.

STORIA

But first we stopped at La Storia, which comprises of an interactive journey through The Bible, Islamic holy sites, Bedouin and rural life style. This is Noah's Arch.

La Storia is in the process of making a three million stone mosaic portrait of the Kings Way, Jordan, and our names are now part of this piece of art in Jordan.

MT. NEBO

Mt. Nebo is one of the holist sites in Jordan for Jews, Christians and Muslims. This is where Moses finally saw the Promised Land, which God had forbidden him to enter, after having led the Jews through the wilderness for forty years. Moses died here, and was buried somewhere on the mountain.

From the viewpoint we could the the north shore of the Dead Sea, and Jericho and the towers on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Amazing view.

On the way to Bethany, on a slightly uphill part of the road, the driver suddenly took his foot of the speeder and hit the brake. When he took his foot off the break, the car started driving up the hill without him touching the speeder. Amazing. When he asked us how this could be, Andy new it was due to a magnetic field, as there is a similar one in New Brunswick, Canada, called Magnetic Hill, just outside of Moncton.

BETHANY 

It is almost the lowest place on earth at over 350 m below sea level; the air is thick, hot and heavy. Bethany is really close to the heavily guarded Israeli border, so we had to be taken by bus to the site, and were not allowed to walk around without a guide. It is believed at John the Baptist lived here, and where he most likely baptized Jesus Christ in the early 1st century A.D.  Note: The River Jordan used to run through the baptism site, but no longer, due to the water demands of both Israel and Jordan.

We also visited the baptism place in the River Jordan (see below), one of the world's great rivers, with its huge religious and historical significance. The river is only 3 meters wide here, the Jordan/Israel boarder runs right through the middle of the river, and on the opposite side is the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and their baptism site. In the second picture below, note the baptism in progress, as there are 4 girls being baptized!

Bethany has been the focus of spirituality since Old Testament times: Judaism, Christianity and Islam all recall events which took place here. And many different religions have churches here for the pilgrims to visit.

 

A fascinating place.

THE DEAD SEA

The Dead Sea is located 400 meters below sea level, and is the lowest point on earth. The high salt content (over 30 per cent), kills all marine life, and as there is no outflow, millions of litres of water evaporates every day  leaving salt on the beach, and a thick atmospheric haze, which dampens sound and filters UVB sun rays allowing tanning but not burning. A magnificent place.

Swimming, or rather floating, in the Dead Sea was a memorable experience, quite unlike anything else. It would be quite easy to sit for an hour, and read a newspaper!

Well back at the hotel, and tired after all the impressions of the day, it was time to have a nice meal and a bottle of Mt. Nebo wine, which tasted okay. We have been spoiled earlier in our trip by having both Italian and French wine!

What a wonderful day!