Why spent 7 months in the Middle East? Why the Caucasus? Iran, Syria and Israel, Armenia and Turkey. So many contrasts! In Georgia we were even surprised by the war. An itinerary full of conflicts and full of religiously charged countries. But also a region full of art treasures and spectacular nature. Ultimately, this is … Continue reading “Backpacking trip Middle East and Caucasus 2008”
Coming from Jordan, the entry into Israel was as lengthy as expected and yet not as troublesome as I had feared. Almost the most annoying thing was that I had not expected the bus from the Jordanian to the Israeli post to be more expensive than a bus to Aqaba and back, so I had … Continue reading “Crossing the Jordan”
Splashing in salt water, the gorge in the Wadi Mujib reserve and Byzantine mosaics (Jordan)
Another day trip takes me to the “Desert Castles” in the east, most of which are not castles at all, but probably holiday homes of the Umayyad dynasty (see also Damascus and Jerusalem). Perhaps they were also intended for trade, or for pilgrims on their way to Kufa or Medina, or they were farms, or…. … Continue reading “Desert Castles in Jordan”
The beautiful day in the ruins of Jerash ends in disaster: in the evening my camera stops to work, I can’t even switch it on. Unfortunately, all the shops are closed for three days because of the end of Ramadan. And then it’s Friday, no luck again. Day by day my mood gets worse… Finally … Continue reading “My camera has a loose screw”
Roman ruins in northern Jordan
I am damn glad that Ramadan is over now. In Jordan, it is indeed hard to find a restaurant during the day, even bread; I usually only had shredded flatbread from the day before in my backpack. Buses also run less frequently, hardly at all on Fridays, opening hours are shorter and unpredictable, in sha’Allah. … Continue reading “Ramadan for travellers in Jordan”
Crusader Castle in Jordan
An old village above a gorge, bizarre sandstone cliffs and gnarled juniper trees in southern Jordan
By jeep, camel and on foot through a desert of rocks and sand in the south of Jordan
Fascinating ruins from antiquity in an equally fascinating landscape in Jordan