Jewels of Jordan: Umm Qays

The Roman amphitheatre

The Roman ruins

The Roman amphitheatre

The Roman ruins

Byzantine Church Terrace

More ruins

The borders of Jordan, Palestine, Israel and Syria can be sighted from this spot.

The Sea of Galilee and Tiberias, Israel, are visible, and just across the valley of the Yarmouk River is the southern end of the Golan Heights, claimed by and recognised as Syria, but under Israeli administration since the Six–Day War in 1967. The high mountains bordering Lebanon are visible in the distance on clear days.

Views from Umm Qays

The long cobbled street

Photos by SkyJuice © All rights reserved.

Umm Qays was my second destination in Jordan. It is the site of the ancient Graeco–Roman city of Gadara, a member of the Decapolis.

Site of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, Gadara was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. It was the home of several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus, founder of a rhetorical school in Rome. A poet called the city a new Athens.

Perched on a splendid hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Gadara is today known as Umm Qays and boasts an impressive colonnaded streets, vaulted terrace and the ruins of two theatres.

Source: www.visitjordan.com

Jewels of Jordan: Irbid

A view from Dar As–Saraya Museum, Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities.

Dusty Dubai, UAE, from the air. The airport was disorganised.

Beit Arrar (The Cultural House of 'Arrar'), located on the oldest hill in Irbid, is a shrine to one of the Arab world’s greatest poets and the Kingdom’s first celebrities – Mustafa Wahbi Tal, whom was known to the literary world as Arrar.

The Roman Catholic Church

Dar As–Saraya Museum

Ancient Periods Hall, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Dar As–Saraya Museum

Mosaics Hall, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Sarcophagus, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Family heirloom and memorabilia

On–board entertainment system

Spent some mornings on the rooftop looking at the scenic view while soaking up some Vitamin D. Olive trees and wheat fields were a common sight in many parts of the country.

Beit Arrar (The Cultural House of 'Arrar')

Old seals, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Clay human figurines, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Juglets (top), plates, lid, and Umayyad lamp (below), Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Mosaics Hall, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Courtyard, Dar As–Saraya Museum.

Nabilse House

Buses

Downtown Irbid

One of the alleys in downtown Irbid

A beautiful residence

The local dabka (dance) during a wedding party

Photos by SkyJuice and Qusai Alazzam.
© All rights reserved.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was my main travel destination recently. Why Jordan? Well, it isn't exactly a popular travel destination for Southeast Asians, but that's one of the reasons for my choice. Exploring less crowded places (off the beaten track or the road less travelled, as I call it) is more rewarding for me. Jordan, like Syria, was part of Sham hundreds of years ago.

My adventures in Jordan began as soon as I touched down. I was greeted by my local friend's family and relatives. They raced on the streets during a two–hour journey from the capital city, Amman, to the second biggest city, Irbid. There were several cars and I was in one of them. Imagine that! Feel free to drive on Middle Eastern streets if you had a death wish or something. My friend's family hosted a big welcome party for my friend and I, which included a feast and dance, and lasted until midnight. What a way to start a long holiday, aye?

Spent many days in Irbid getting to know the locals, learning the culture, as well as picking up more Arabic words and phrases. Being a guest in Middle Eastern homes was one of the most memorable moments of my trip. True to words, the Jordanians, like many other Middle Easterns, treat their guests really well, like kings and queens, if I may say so. I could certainly get used to being a guest over there for as long as I can!

Stay tuned for more travel stories soon.

July

My, my, it's already mid–year, can you believe it? Where did the time go? It certainly flies by in a jiffy. This month marks the commencement of my final postgraduate semester. Received last semester's exam results a few weeks ago. I've enrolled for a multimedia subject and will be doing my thesis this semester. I foresee busy times ahead. No pain, no gain, aye? Wish me luck, peeps!