Jordan - Day 5 (Jan 2, 2009)

The main destination for this day was the three different desert castles (or Qasr) out on the east. But before we set out for the desert, we went to the baptism site of Jesus. I'm not too familiar with Judeo-Christian history and I didn't even know Jesus was baptized. I guess you learn something new everyday.

This is the map of the site engraved on a stone in front of the ticket booth.

Because the baptism site was located in a military area bordering Israel (or Palestine), tourists weren't allowed to wander around on their own. All tourists must be accompanied by the official tour guides and had to get on the back of a truck like the one above to get around the area.

The Jordan River.

This is supposedly where Jesus was baptized. Hmmm...

A church right by the Jordan River and the baptism site. It looked more like a place for tourists than anything else.

Inside of the church had some nice paintings, but looked too "new".

Dude selling bottled Jordan River water and holy oil for JD1 a pop.

Across the river, you can see the Israeli flag.

A Russian couple getting into the Jordan River for the full baptism experience.

And now we head east to the middle of nowhere to check out the desert castles.

The first castle we arrived at was Qasr al-Harrana.

Historical Background: Although the building is well preserved with its original architectural elements, its date and original function are still issues of debate among scholars. An Arabic inscription in black ink and several lines long, was found on the plaster above one of the doorways in the main hall of the upper floor. It was written during Muharran 92 AH (November 710 AD), during the reign of the Umayyad caliph al-Walid ibn Abdal-Malik.

Function: Debate is still going on as to the original function of the building. The most widely accepted opinion among scholars is that it was a khan, or inn. If this were true then Qasr al-Harrana would be the earliest known khan of the Islamic period.

The second castle we arrived at was Qasr Amra.

"Qasr Amra (Arabic: قصر عمرة‎), often Quseir Amra or Qusayr Amra, is the best-known of the desert castles located in present-day eastern Jordan. It was built early in the 8th century (probably between 711 and 715) by the Umayyad caliph Walid I whose dominance of the region was rising at the time. It is considered one of the most important examples of early Islamic art and architecture.

The building is actually the remnant of a larger complex that included an actual castle, of which only the foundation remains. What stands today is a small country cabin, meant as a royal retreat, without any military function. It is most notable for the frescoes that remain on the ceilings inside, which depict hunting, naked women and, above one bath chamber, an accurate representation of the zodiac. These have led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of four in the country. That status, and its location along Jordan's major east-west highway, relatively close to Amman, have made it a frequent tourist destination." - Wikipedia -

Looks like the place where Luke Skywalker's uncle and aunt lived.

A well that goes down a long way. It was pretty scary looking into the well.

The beautiful frescoes.

The third castle ,Qasr Azraq, was actually a bit difficult to find at first because it was inside a small city, unlike the first two that were literally in the middle of nowhere with nothing else around them.

"In the 16th century the Ottoman Turks stationed a garrison there, and T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) made the fortress his desert headquarters during the winter of 1917, during the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire." - Wikipedia -

On our way back west to the Dead Sea.

On our way back, we stopped by Amman, the capital.

Some more Roman ruins in the city.

A huge amphitheater.

We ended the day with some fish and chips, Jordan style.