Having shared the delights of Japan and Jersey with you, now it’s time for Jordan. We went there on a tour in 2008 that continued on into Syria – but more of that some other time. Jordan’s a beautiful, friendly place, full of amazing sights.

What do you think of, when you think of Jordan? Petra, right? Naturally. But I’m going to take you through these holiday snaps in order, so we start off in the capital, Amman.

Our first visit was to Mount Nebo, where Moses got to see the Promised Land but got no further.

There it is – the Promised Land (in the distance)

Amazing mosaics in the church in Madaba

Then we negotiated the windy road up towards Karak

with the extraordinary Jordanian landscape

until we got our first sight of the castle at Karak

Which is great fun to explore!

But you were right the first time – it’s all about Petra.

To get to the exciting part of Petra, you have to walk down a narrow path called the Siq.

And after a while you’ll get your first glimpse of The Treasury

And then your second glimpse

and your third

getting nearer

almost there

and finally, you see the Treasury in all its glory!

It’s as though you’ve opened layers and layers of gift wrapping until finally getting to the big present!

See how massive the building is in comparison with the heights of the visitors!

Petra enchants you with its other-worldness

The mosaics are remarkable

And I was so grateful for this kind gentleman to wander into my shot to make it complete

Straight out of Lawrence of Arabia. Talking of which:

That’s the famous Seven Pillars of Wisdom. We’re now on the road to Wadi Rum.

A desolate, desert landscape en route, but when you get to your destination…

There’s always a bedouin to make you some tea.

Ever wondered what it might be like on the surface of Mars?

More dramatic landscapes

that conceal an abundance of ancient art

After overnighting in a tent, we were on our way to Jerash, the Pompeii of the East.

That’s the ancient Hippodrome.

But there are numerous amazing sights in the ruins of this Greco-Roman city.

Including some musicians who played Amazing Grace for us on their bagpipes. They needn’t have bothered. I was only grateful they didn’t go on to perform Scotch on the Rocks.

It’s nice just to get lost amongst the ruins

After Jerash we followed the road north into Syria – but those photos are for another blog post. In the meantime, here’s our driver and our poppet pocket rocket space cadet tourism policeman, who accompanied us everywhere we went, looking concerned.

Yes he does look about 17. And, as always, all destinations give opportunities for quirky photos.

So we say farewell to Jordan

Thanks for accompanying me on this little jaunt around Jordan. Next blog may, or may not, be another return to some old theatre productions in the summer of 1982. Stay safe!