Jordan

Aqaba
First stop in Jordan on the Red Sea. The enormous Movenpick Resort. Jordanians holiday by the sea. Numerous glass boat tours. An impromtu tour around a Jordanian bakery with Pita bread to taste. Laid back feel with football fans celebrating on the street. A visit to the old Crusader Castle later conquered by Laurence of Arabia.

Wadi Rum
An overnight stay in the desert in our very own tent for the night. Complete with an amazing buffet dinner of Mezze and Kofta. A six hour hike through the desert, hard work in the sun without sufficient water. Taking in Laurence of Arabia's spring, a canyon and Bedouin tents. Topped off by a scramble through a deep ravine. An amazing landscape, rugged hills and different coloured desert sands.

Wadi Musa-Petra
An unfortunate start with a cancelled bus and resulting 40 dinar taxi to Petra. Hitch hiking to Small Petra which we had to ourselves. Also a visit to the oldest village (Bedaya) in the Middle East. A ride back to Wadi Musa with the New Zealand lady who wrote Married to a Bedouin, who still lives in Petra! 30th birthday celebrations hiking around the Rose Tinted City, former home to the mighty Nabatean dynasty. The 1.2k long Siq with The Treasury magically appearing, views from the High Place of Sacrifice, the massive Monastery, Roman Theatre, The Royal Tombs (Palace Tomb and the Urn Tomb), Colonaded street, the list goes on! Very sore legs as we conquered just about every peak in the region.

Madaba
Bus to the Amman turnoff then another hithed ride to town. Home of the Mosaics including the Mosaic Map in St Georges church. Day trip to Mt Nebo where Moses saw the promised land and also died. Onto Bethany beyond the Jordan where John the Baptist baptised Jesus, literally a stones throw from the Israeli border. Finally bobbing in the Dead Sea, a truly memorable experience.

Amman
Final stop in Jordan. A day spent visiting the Citadel with the impressive National Archaelogical Museum housing reputably the oldest sculptures in the world. Followed by the enormous Roman Theatre smack bang in the middle of Downtown Amman. Legendary Turkish Pizza, Felafel sandwiches and fresh juice. A day excursion to the best preserved Roman city outside Italy in Jerash.