17C Aqaba - Visiting the Dead Sea Via Jordan, not Israel.

Although the trip to the beach took over 3 hours, time seemed to pass
quickly. You forget that the holy land is not just in Israel but spreads
across to Jordan. It felt like stepping back into scripture class as
Ashraf, quoted stories from the bible and pointed to the significant
locations. From our panoramic lookout he pointed and said "there is
Bethlehem, in the middle is Jerusalem and over there is Jericho. Up there
is the River Jordan, where Jesus was Baptised by John the Baptist."
So we have all heard the story from the Bible of Lot, his wife, two
daughters and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Now their city names alone
give you the impression that they were a touch unsavoury. Story goes on
that two angels visited Sodom and were invited to spend the night at Lot's
home. In return the angels warned Lot and his family of God's wrath upon
this wicked city and urged them to flee .. "and don't look back!!"
Off they fled to safety, and even after her husband's warnings, Mrs Lot just
couldn't help herself and turned to take one last look at home. Bam.. We all
saw that movie, remember, and she slowly turned to salt. Now she makes for
a great stop and photo opportunity. The mountains just behind, near the
ruins of an old Byzantium church, is where Lot and his daughters took refuge
in a cave. Moral to this story. "Listen to your husband!"
Pointing to another high point, Ashraf said it was up there that Herod had
John the Baptist beheaded. Why you ask?. Herod had John imprisoned but was
reluctant to kill him for fear of retribution from the gods. But alas a
young girl danced for him in such a pleasing way that he offered her
anything she wanted. Asking her mother "what should I request?" Hmmm "How
about John the Baptist's head on a platter!!" and being a man of his word,
her wish was his command. Wow all this scripture stuff is now so real!!
Having covered so much ground today we finally arrived back in Aqaba and
with a little time up our sleeve we were taken on a short tour of downtown
Aqaba to fulfil our shopping lists - Beer, dates, spices and haircuts were
all purchased, with a bonus tasting of Kanafeh, cardamom Tea and a thick
gritty coffee brewed using hot red sand.
Another wonderful Jordanian experience.
Keeping on Track 404,873 steps .. Nearly 100,000 over goal.
Tour Company : Via Jordan
info@viajordan.com

www.viajordan.com

Tell Hakam, Joanne sent you !!