After an early breakfast, we crossed the border at Allenby Bridge and began our journey in northern Jordan.  Our first stop was the ruins of Pella, where early Messianic Jews fled during the war with Rome in the First Century. Next we travelled south to the ancient city of Jerash, which boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years.  One of the ten Roman Decapolis cities, it is generally acknowledged to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Later in the afternoon we arrived at our hotel near the entrance to the mysterious rose-red city of Petra.

We cross into Jordan, and wait….for passport check

At Pella site – there was human occupation here from 6000 BC!
A city of the  Roman Decapolis, and where Jews and Christians fled after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Byzantine church at Pella

Jerash – a city of the Roman Decapolis – situated on the Silk Road

Jerash- Hadrian’s Arch 129AD
One of 10 Decapolis cities; this area has been occupied since 4,500 BC

A remarkable place dug from the sand.  It was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 749 AD. It was fully Byzantine at the time.

Jaresh, Jordan – Our Bedouin companion

School children – everyone knows how to say “Hello!”

Temple of Zeus in background

Impromptu concert in the Roman theatre

A demonstration of making flat bread in a taboon oven