Number 17

2008 was the year I put safaris aside and went in search of ancient history. I'd already been to see the pyramids in Egypt and Leptis in Libya, so now it was time to hop over to the next country in line - Jordan - for another fix. I can't pinpoint 1 specific memory in Jordan because the whole country was amazing, but I did love the fact I was the closest I'll probably ever get to Israel when we visited the site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised on the east bank of the Jordan River. Just a stone's throw away across the water was the Holy Land. It was also coming towards the end of Ramadan whilst I was there, so I was able to celebrate Eid with the locals (Muslim celebration to mark the end of Ramadan) and take part in the Great Feast where all the families get together and basically eat and drink and have a good time and smoke some shisha.
Everywhere we visited in Jordan was a highlight for me, from floating in the Dead Sea to riding a camel through the desert, camping in Wadi Rum to walking in Dana nature reserve, being bustled by zillions of people in hot, sticky Aqaba to driving to the Saudi Arabia border. And I haven't even mentioned the beautiful, visually stunning site of Petra along with Jerash, Mt Nebo, Madaba and Kerak. It's not every country you can drive the length of and find something so incredible at every turn. The King's Highway certainly lives up to its name!
Photos to follow...