Finally getting some time to post after a hectic 10 days in the Holy Land .
We were asked to join a tour of Anglicans from Sydney by the tour leaders Bruce and Michelle Morrison who we met on the Russian cruise tour we did back in 2012I think it was. Bruce is the Moderator of the Parramatta Church which has the claim to be the oldest Church in Australia being initially formed by Samuel Marsden.
We had decided to do another tour of Ukraine after 5 years and felt the need to catch up with all our contacts there so said we would join the Tour.
We flew separately though Dubai to Amman where we met the group. as it turned out we found we were of the same mind although a bit older than most of them although there was couple 86 and 85 who were as fit as us .
I did not realise the significance of the Jordan area in Bible history especially old testament stuff. We had been to Israel on a secular tour when we had a wedding in Beirut . Lebanon back in 2011 we had 5 days in Israel that gave us a taste of history that is so important for our our Christian heritage..
I did not realise the Moses and his exodus came up through Jordan . The kings Highway and spent those 40 years in the desert not in the Negev but in Southern Jordan.
No time to get over jetlag because the Day we arrived in Amman we boarded a bus and drove to Mt Nebo where Moses and His mob was shown the promised land not all that clear as it was pretty dusty but evidently on a clear day you see right across to the Mediteraneon . We also visited Madaba in the old Moab the town of Ruth in the Bible.
The Snake on a pole on top of Nebo
We travelled down to the dead Sea on the east side which is Jordan to a pretty flash hotel for the next three days . on the second day we went up to Joash on the North side along the old Kings Highway and the famous gates and horse racing arena and
the theatre all very old and awsomme in construction.The vegetation improved as we drove North very similar to and Parallel to Lebanon . Very stony but quite productive with fruit trees of all sorts and good shade trees
Our guide Sulaman was a Jordanian Christian Catholic and a real believer and an excellent tour Guide and we were slowly getting to know the 30 folks on the tour .No Name tags as most of the Sydney siders knew each other . Took us about a week to get around them all and their stories .
The next day was down to Petra a biblical site only discovered 1880,S was a significant civilisation at one time but died out due to flooding and a huge earthquake and was bypassed as a trade route.
I took the option of a horse cart ride as it was a long hike but stiff springs and cobblestones meant a very rough ride . Alison walked down but opted for a ride back I was reminded of mulga Bill and his becycle ride.” I ve rode a wild bull round a ring but this would be the derndast ride that I,ve encounted yet”
Back to the Hotel
Some tried to swim in the Dead sea but I opted for the Hotel pool which was much more inviting as I remember my venture last time we were here. Who could forget trying to swim in the Dead sea. I remember the sweat of my forehead running into my eyes and no way could I wipe it off as the water in very acidic and stings like hell but for the experience I guesss is was worth it. The Move and Pick hotel is luxurious and large crowds of locals enjoying Ramadan after sundown and hundreds of folks of all all ages were in the very large pool
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McEwen Farming and Family Stuff 