Bahrain and Jordan: A Wonderful Holiday

Hello all!

Well, the school year has blasted off to...a start.  I guess one could say that the plane has departed, but we have yet to find out where we are going.  However, time has flown by.  September came and went.  By the month of October, my stress level was a little lower than red alert and before I knew it, Eid Holiday arrived.  Time to travel!  I decided to venture off to Jordan with a group of friends that I met through work.  Eid Holiday break began on Thursday, October 10 at 12:00 when kids were let out early.  However, many families left for vacation prior to Thursday, so I did not have any kids at all on Wednesday or Thursday.  It was a nice way to preface the vacation.

We left for Jordan early Saturday morning and arrived in Bahrain, a small island country lodged between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.  Since we had a 9 hour layover, we made our way out into the country, stopping first at Qal'at al-Bahrain, meaning the fort of Bahrain.  It is an old Portuguese fort but was also used by Persians and Kassites (ancient people who controlled Babylonia), and archaeological excavations continue to take place.

After spending some time at Qal'at al-Bahrain, it was time to enjoy a cold glass of beer.  It was delicious and very satisfying being the Kuwait is a dry country!  What a lip smacker!






We arrived in Jordan late Saturday night, made our way to the hostel, ventured about Amman, enjoyed shawarma, and went to bed.  The next morning we spent time around the Roman ruins of Amman, including the theater and the Citadel.  It continues to blow my mind as to how far the Roman Empire expanded.  I have seen ruins in Italy (of course), Spain and Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula, and now the Middle Eastern country of Jordan.  The sites were quite impressive.

At the Citadel

The Roman Theater

View from the Citadel

Madaba was the next stop.  There we were able to enjoy a beautiful view of the Dead Sea and witnessed the rolling hills and mountains of the surrounding land. 

We also got a taste of the lovely mosaics, for which Madaba is known.  We made a stop at the mosaic museum which included the work of what will be the world's largest mosaic...The King's Way.  I was able to glue a stone on one of the panels.  My stone is one of 3.5 million mosaic stones.  When the piece is finished, it will be 30 meters long and 6 meters wide.  I made the record books.
















We stayed one night in Madaba, but would return.  It was time to travel to Wadi Rum.  The sights of Wadi Rum were incredible.  No photo will do justice to the scenery.  I have not seen anything that resembles the landscape of place.  I can imagine that there are locations in southwest United States that are similar, but not to the extent or the extreme.  The plethora of magnificent mountains and rock structures that encircled me were breathtaking.  The red and orange sand dunes that glinted in the sunlight were like that of a different planet.  The stars...bright, clustered, and extravagant.  It was an amazing experience.  The Bedouin food and tea were delicious.  The people were friendly and the time spent at the campsite was relaxing and peaceful.  After one night at the camp, we spent four hours driving around Wadi Rum taking in a few of many amazing rock structures.  It was absolutely beautiful.

 

After Wadi Rum, we journeyed to Petra.  I did not realize how much surface area Petra covered.  We spent two days at Petra enjoying the rock structures, hiking through canyons, and climbing mountains and cliffs to witness incredible views.  During the second day, we set of on the 800-step climb to the Monastery.  It reminded me of the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon.  Again, the orange, brown, and red rock structures were certainly amazing.

 Here are two pictures of the Treasury.  This is one of the main structures that people come to view.  After a mile and a half of amazing canyon, you come upon this sight!!!

Indiana Jone and the Last Crusade was filmed here.  Indy and the gang stroll into the Treasury to find the Holy Grail.  Of course I was humming Raiders March while I was at Petra.

Petra is known as one of the wonders of the world!  It earns the title

A tomb at Petra.

The Monastery!!!  Truly a magnificent wonder!

After Petra, we spent one more night in Madaba and on the final day relaxed at a beach resort on the Dead Sea.  Time to float.  That was a strange feeling.  I literally bobbed like an apple in the water.  It was good, however, that I did not attempt to go under...way too salty.  I experienced the Dead Sea mud on my skin.  After washing it off, one's skin is very smooth.  The resort was a great way to end the trip.  Also, Israel was on the other side of the water.  Pretty cool.

A beautiful view and a great way to end an amazing trip.

Floating...still floating!

Dead Sea mud spa!

We flew out late, late Thursday night and arrived in Kuwait at 2:30 am Friday morning.  The trip was wonderful, refreshing, and needed.  Getting back into the routine of school was challenging, but not excruciating.  I am amazed that October is almost complete.  Time is flying by and I am having wonderful experiences.  Jordan was great and I look forward to traveling again.

Thanks for reading and there are many more photos on Facebook!

Peace
-Tony