Grandparents in Jordan

Dad and Lissa spent the better part of April with us in Jordan. It was so wonderful for them to see our lives and to experience Jordan first hand. They arrived while Andrew was in India and at the beginning of Charlie’s spring vacation. Because Lyman and I didn’t have vacation, we spent time showing them around Madaba and Amman, but then sent them off with a driver and Charlie for a 5 day adventure. Since I wasn’t with them for most of the photo taking excursions, I’ve borrowed their pictures and I’m breaking the post up by region. Enjoy!

Arrival: The new airport opened about a week before they landed. I was REALLY hoping they’d fly into the old terminal just to experience the complete and utter culture shock that we had. The new airport is beautiful and small enough to make it manageable. The old airport, well, let’s just say that when we arrived, the boys asked if we could turn around and get back on the plane…

Charlie was pretty happy to see Teetee!!

Madaba:

Rug shopping and afternoon tea.

Lot’s of stuff to buy.

Dad was as intrigued by the animals in pickup trucks as I…

And, he was infatuated by camels too. Apples and trees, eh?

Outside of the bakery in Madaba.

Lissa almost had a heart attack when I pulled the car over to the side of the highway and jumped out to buy strawberries!

Mosaics. For more pictures of mosaics, click here.

Dad’s first shawarma. He’s not sure what to think!

Petra: The driver picked up the three intrepid travelers bright and early on a Sunday morning (the equivalent of Monday for us) and drove them to Petra via the Desert Highway. Because I’ve already posted lots of pictures of Petra, these ones focus more on the experience rather than the natural wonder of the region. If you’d like to see more pictures of the area, click here.

In the Siq, on the way to the Treasury.

As promised, the coca-cola drinking camel. Yes, that’s a coke can in his mouth!

This one prefers water. Smart camel.

Yes, I know. It runs in the family. We like animals.

Not sure what they’re doing, but a cool picture.

Taking a break on the way to the Monastery.

Teetee and Charlie.

Hitching a ride to the Monastery.

The faster, easier, MUCH bumpier way to travel.

Joker and Charlie.

On the long ride to the Monastery.

Taking a break on the way to the Monastery.

Joker, Charlie and Teetee.

Random donkey on the edge of the world.

Scary high, scary rickety, but a refreshing lack of regulations.

Included for no reason other than it’s a cool composition.

Yes, more camels. Sorry.

Wadi Rum:  After two days in Petra, they made their way to Wadi Rum and stayed in a Bedouin camp in the protected part of the desert. The tour I set up included a jeep ride into the desert with stops at some pretty cool areas, some hiking, some climbing, eating and sleeping in the desert, and a three hour camel ride back out. All was wonderful except for the camel ride. Even my accomplished equestrian father said it was horribly uncomfortable. Everyone limped around for days after. Note to self: when we go, no camel ride. (It’s good to have guinea pigs…)

One of the guides in Wadi Rum.

Baby camels!

He doesn’t seem uncomfortable…

Panoramic view of the desert.

This must have a name, but I wasn’t there. Sorry.

Joker, Teetee and Charlie

Reading in the desert.

Camel milk.

Joker–the cowboy in the distance.

Sand angels.

It doesn’t matter how old you are. Playing in the sand is awesome.

Climbing

Yes, that is Teetee on the top of that very high rock bridge!

Unbelievable sand dunes.

Love this picture. May have to frame it.

The camp where they stayed.

Afternoon tea.

Dinner!

View from their tent.

Sunset in the desert.

Breakfast.

Starting the camel ride out.

Teetee on a camel!

Camel guide.

Camel pit-stop.

Mama and baby.

Dead Sea:  After much walking, climbing, and exploring, I thought a quick trip for some pampering at the Dead Sea was in order. They stayed at the Kempinsky, which is, quite possibly, one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever seen. They slathered on dead sea mud, floated in the super salinated water, had some great meals, and generally relaxed. There are no pictures of Charlie posted because he barely left the hotel room. He was in heaven bundled up in a plush robe, lounging on a comfortable bed, reading. I’ve posted about the Dead Sea several times, so if you’d like to see more pictures, click here.

Joker is a “sinker” so the Dead Sea was an especially amazing treat for him!

Teetee, covered in mud AND floating.

View from an upper level at the Kempinsky.

Amman, Jerash, Ajloun: Once they were back from the 5 day whirlwind tour, Charlie went back to school and Dad and Lissa explored on their own. They spent a lot of time in Madaba, wandered around Amman, and made a day trip to Jerash and Ajloun Castle. I don’t have pictures of those trips, so you’ll just have to use your imagination. They also visited Moses’ Spring, which, although not their trip, you can read about here.

I hope this post has inspired some of you to come visit us! There is much to do and see, and we’d love to show you around.

xo from Jordan