Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea

Today we visit Madaba, about 1 hour by car from Amman, also known as the City of Mosaics.

If you have some time in Jordan, the visit is recommended, you don't need to plan more than a few hours.

The road leads through Mediterranean landscape, I often think of Tuscany when I look out. Only the vineyards are missing... I ask Muhammad, our guide, if and where wine is grown. He says it is only made in Christian communities, there are few bottles per year. Since alcohol is already heavily taxed, a bottle is quite expensive. Someone from the group says he tried an excellent Jordanian wine at the hotel in Amman. Since he is from the Bay Area in California and describes the wine with considerable expertise, I plan to try a glass when we return to the hotel in a few days. I didn't ask about the price...

On the way to Madaba, we stop at Mount Nebo. According to the Bible, this is where Moses was shown the promised land by God. In fact, from Mount Nebo you can see Jericho and get an idea of Jerusalem. But you shouldn't miss the Dead Sea - we'll go there later today.

In Madaba, you should especially visit the mosaic in St. George's Church. It is the oldest cartographic representation of the Holy Land. Jerusalem is depicted quite accurately, thanks to the buildings on the mosaic, it could be dated. 

I also visit the burnt palace and the Church of Mary. You mainly see mosaics, the structures of the buildings are only rudimentary. Normally, these sights cost an entrance fee (1-3 JOD), but I can get in for free everywhere: at the first entrance, someone whispers to me at the entrance that I should say I left my Jordan Pass in the hotel. After that, he wants to guide me through the ruins and it is clear that he expects a corresponding reward for it. I decline and explore on my own. At the second entrance, the lady at the cash desk is snoozing. I better not wake her up... 

Afterwards, I go to St. John's Church, which is located a bit higher on the hill. The church itself is not so exciting but beautiful (from the 20th century). But you can see some ancient remains of the building in the crypt, on which the church is built. Furthermore, you can climb the tower. I do that, but I find it quite adventurous. I'm pretty glad that no one else is up there, it's too narrow! I usually don't have a fear of heights, but up there I feel uneasy. The view from above is beautiful, but it's so narrow that I can't walk around the tower. 

Back to the bus and now off to the Dead Sea! After a 50-minute drive, we're there and I go straight to the hotel beach to float in the saltwater. Lots of hustle and bustle around me, interrupted by a scream when someone gets saltwater in their eyes. Hehe.

In the evening, I treat myself to a beer and I have to say that although it is incredibly expensive - it still can't surpass some Zurich prices.