Day 17

The first stop of the day is the Crusader Castle where we run round like little kids exploring all the nooks and crannies.

Afterwards we have a bitter desert tea which is supposed to help with stomach ails.

We stop for a photo opportunity at Dana national park.

Along the way Aziz tells us about his culture and explaing how Jordanian arranged marriage works. His family meet the girl first - without her head scarf and in a short dress, if she meets Aziz criteria then they meet with a chaperone. If all goes well a week later he will come round with his family and propose in front of hers. They will be engaged for 6 months and he is responsible for paying to setup a home and for the wedding expenses (at least $15, 000 worth). Then they get married and live happily ever after! Although they can divorce under certain conditions.

Aziz is married and his first child is due in 2 weeks! He and most Jordanians only have one wife. Circumstances such as her not being able to have children leads to a second wife being taken. Both wives will live in separate houses.

We stop for a very quick break, toilet, turkish coffee and I buy some dead sea products - a body moisturiser and mud! (20 Jordanian or equivalent - $30 AUD for 500 grams - not cheap!).

Actually generally things in Jordan aren't - but at least you're getting better quality and travelling conditions, not to mention harassed less.

We stop atop Mt Nebo where many are already gathered to witness where Moses saw the holy land and died. It has spectacular views over the Dead Sea and to Israel.

We then continued onto the Dead Sea where we had lunch (another buffet - all we seemed to have in Jordan! ).

Floating in the Dead Sea was amazing! You just bob up so easy and float so high! So we started mucking about and trying some yoga moves but then I lose floating balance in one and do a back somersault - aahhh! This is the lowest sea in the world! The saltiest body of water and full of minerals! And they BURN! Your mouth gets all crusty where the water has touched, it somehow easily penetrates your sinus creating intense pain and your eyes sting!!!

Your skin feels amazing though and it's so much fun being buoyant!

That night we have dinner on top of our hotel (Granada).

Day 18

We visit the roman ruins at Jerash. Sadly I'm a bit ruined out but had fun posing for photos with local girls who were there on a school trip and make us feel like rock stars!!!

We stop for lunch at Tche Tche then get a cab to the Citadel, more Roman ruins and a museum with incredibly old statues and pottery (I think it was 8000 BC but have forgotten! ).

We have dinner at a nice local restaurant - Aziz taking us there and back in his BMW - who knew being a tour guide paid so well?!

Day 19

In the morning we leave for Israel via the Allenby Bridge crossing. We all get in fine requesting our passport not to be stamped. Phil is quizzed for about 30 minutes as we were warned someone in our group would be.

We then meet our local transport and head for Jerusalem.