Mt Nebo, the Baptismal Site, Jordan River, Jericho and the Occupied Territories

Today was great – but incredibly tiring. I’m just going to post up the pictures with captions – explanation is too much. Enjoy.

Mt Nebo - this is the place where it is believed that Prophet Musa a.s. (Moses) stood with his people after they had wandered in the desert for 40 years and he saw the Promised Land (i.e. Jerusalem. Prophet Musa a.s. never made it to the Promised Land and it is believe he is buried not to far from Mt Nebo in one of the valleys on the Amman-side.

(1) Mt Nebo - looking towards Amman

(2) Mt Nebo Directional Plaque

(3) Mt Nebo - looking towards Palestine

(4) Mt Nebo looking towards Palestine - you can't really see it in the photo, but Jericho is down there - the little town in the middle.

The following photos are all taken in the museum on top of Mount Nebo - it is actually an old Catholic Church, but it is not used for Mass or anything anymore.

(1&2) Pottery from the ordan Valley

(3) Mosaics

(3a) From a monastery in the Jordan Valley

(3b) From the Kayanos Church















(3c) Latin mosaic from a nearby church




(4) The Catholic Church on Mt Nebo

After another long drive, we arrived at the Baptisimal Site - this is the place where Prophet Isa a.s. (Jesus) was baptised by Yahya (John). There is also a touristy walk in the "Wilderness" to give you the feel for what Prophet Elias a.s. (Elijah) experienced as he wandered in the wilderness. At the end of the "wilderness" path, before you get to the Jordan River is the Church of Bethany. Stuck my hand in the water (Jordan River) and it was so cold, couldn't believe it.

(5) Part of the "Wilderness Walk"

(6) Church at Bethany

(7) Chuch at Bethany through the wire - the wire is there because the area was covered with landmines during the 1967 war with Israel and large areas (the wired off bits) have still not been cleared.


(8) Steps down to the Jordan River on the boarder with Israel.





(9) On the Jordan River - the bank on the other side is Israel, about 3 metres away.

(10) This is the opposit ebank of th eJordan River - you can see the Israili flags just next to the trees.

(11) The beginning of the road home.



It was a really long day - cold then hot, then cold. I think I lost about a billion brain cells from the carbonmonoxide poisioning (I was sitting at the back of the bus). Ate an incredible amount of junk food... Couldn't cook dinner when I got home because I can't figure out the oven... Sometimes I'm little blonde.





Sorry about the formatting but I can't be bothered to fix it at the moment..