Here is a run down of our trip with some pictures to help with the explanations. This is a long entry so if you are short on time just skip down to the pictures.
April 8 Wednesday Day 1: We arrived in Amman, Jordan at around 5:00 and headed straight to the Dead Sea where we stayed at the Movenpick Hotel...which is the most beautiful hotel we have ever seen. It was right on the Dead Sea with many different pools and the landscaping was incredible. We enjoyed the lush green scenery coming from the desert country of Kuwait.
April 9 Thursday Day 2: Woke up early and headed down to the beach where we floated (and I do mean floated) in the Dead Sea and took in the views of Palestine on the opposite shore. It was too rocky and salty to spend too much time there so we headed up to the pool area and had a very relaxing morning. We left the Dead Sea and headed on a beautiful but windy road to Petra in the south of the country. The views were incredible but as we got closer to Petra Isaac became paler and paler. Sure enough, five minutes from the hotel Isaac threw up. Luckily, we stopped beside a resturant and they were very helpful. We were back on our way in no time with Isaac happily sitting in my lap and the car smelling of vomit. We arrived at the hotel and planned our trip into Petra for the following day.
Here I am floating in the Dead Sea. It was a crazy sensation. Palestine is the shore in the background. 
The view from the beach at the Movenpick
April 10 Friday Day 3: We got an early start on the day (of course we did we have two kids who get up at 6 am!) Petra was about 10 minutes from our hotel so we arrived bright and early and started on our walk into Petra. As soon as you arrive there are people with horses offering a special "deal" to take you into Petra. We arranged for ponies to take us to the Siq at Petra and meet us in the afternoon to walk us out. After the pony ride you have to walk for 1.3 km through an opening between two cliffs (called the Siq) It was extremely impressive. As you leave the Siq your first view is the Treasury (featured in the third Indiana Jones movie). Take a look at the pictures because my words fail to describe this. We were surrounded by former buildings and structures that have been in existence for 2000 years.
One of the must sees at Petra is the Monastary. Unfortunately for us it is on the top of a mountain. We decided to give it a try and as we walked to the base of the mountain we were hounded by donkey owners who guaranteed us a great deal for a donkey ride to the Monastary. We were actually out of money but they thought were driving a hard bargin. Luckily for us we ran into some teachers from our school and they lent us some money to get Zoe a donkey, whose name turned out to be Michael Jackson. We reached the top and Jamie and I took turns checking out the spectacler view at the very top of the mountain where some locals sent up tents to sell crafts. I happened to fall in love with a pair of earrings, but was disappointed that we ran out of money. I asked if they took Visa, not really expecting the answer to be yes. However they did take Visa at the top of the mountain in a little tent at Petra.
We made our way back down the mountain with the help of Micheal Jackson and began our long walk out. Zoe was exhausted but the thought of a pony ride at the end of the walk kept her going and Isaac feel asleep in his carrier on Jamie's back. It was a supberb day!
On our way into Petra.
All the above pictures were taken on the 1.3km walk through the Siq.
Our first glimpse of the Treasuary as we left the Siq. 
On our way up to the Monastary. 
Isaac was very impressed with the sand and rocks at Petra!
The view from the top of the mountain (and where I bought my earrings!)
On our way out of Petra. Jamie walked like this for quite some time. I was thinking of renting him out to tourists to make some extra money!
April 11 Saturday Day 4: Travel Day...got the kids packed up and left for Amman. We did not take the scenic route so there were no car sick kids. We did get lost going into Amman and finally hailed a taxi to lead us to the hotel.
April 12 Sunday Day 5: Happy 2nd Birthday Isaac! No surprise, we were up early and headed out to the town of Jerash. Jerash has Roman ruins and was one of Rome's provinces. It has been excavated and restored over the past 70 years and it was incredible. We had no problems finding it (though there was a dodgy bathroom break at a gas station that still haunts me). We spent an amazing day walking through the ruins. They put on a 40 minute show that kept both kids spellbound. We loved the flowers growing over the ruins and the beautiful rolling hills.
I am not sure too many two year olds can have a cooler place to celebrate their birthdays.
I am not sure too many two year olds can have a cooler place to celebrate their birthdays.
The Birthday Boy!!
Part of the show at Jerash. The kids loved it!
Sunset in Jordan!
2 comments:
Wow! I'm speechless... which makes it really hard to comment. Those pictures were incredible and I'm sure they don't even begin to capture it all.
Heff, I have to tell you that I laughed out loud (and almost spit some water on my monitor)at your idea to rent out Jamie to the tourists.
Happy birthday Issac! What a fabulous adventure for your 2nd birthday. I'm sure Euan's bowling at Fairlanes will be just as good.
XOX Steph
Those pics are amazing. Jake is looking at them with me and has decided that when he gets to be a 'bigger boy' he would like to go ride on those horseys. Don't think he realizes the commute...
Happy Belated Isaac. Shane turned 39 on the same day and I think he would have rather Jamie carry him on his back that day too. Somehow being a 2yr old seems a bit easier these days.
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