Category: Jerash

Jordan Day 3 2012 - Dessert Castles, Jerash and Aljoun Castle

Jordan Day 3 2012 – Dessert Castles, Jerash and Aljoun Castle

Posted on by ziyi

The day was planned for a full day exploration of sites away from Amman. It started with a simple breakfast at the hotel. Had some time and so we went to the roof for a panoramic view of Amman city.

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Amman panoramic view.
Amman panoramic view.

Booked a tour with Reliable Rent a Car (where we got our car as well of course) and the private vehicle picked us from the hotel and drove us an hour to the dessert castles first stop. As we left the city, the land started to become more and more barren till it was just sand all around. It was only when we arrived that we arrived at UNESCO site of Quseir Amra that we see a building.

Some distance to walk to the site.
Some distance to walk to the site.
Qasr Amra
Qasr Amra
Painted walls at the reception hall.
Painted walls at the reception hall.
All the way to the ceiling.
All the way to the ceiling.
Faded mosaic tiles.
Faded mosaic tiles.
Looked like modern shower area.
Looked like modern shower area.

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After taking refuge from the sun in the cooling baths, we left for the next site along the same highway.

Qasr Al Azraq
Qasr Al Azraq
Lawrence of Arabia was said to have stayed at the room on the 2nd floor.
Lawrence of Arabia was said to have stayed at the room on the 2nd floor.
Heavy stone door.
Heavy stone door.
Central courtyard of the fortress.
Central courtyard of the fortress.

There were quite a bit of story telling by the tour guide as we roamed around this castle. As we were heading to another area some distance away, we had to skip Qasr Kharana and head for lunch, a buffet lunch at a restaurant.

Buffet lunch.
Buffet lunch.
A drink to cool down from the heat.
A drink to cool down from the heat.

Our next stop was the ancient city of Jerash, from the east of Jordan it was some driving to the north. This place reminded us of Rome, with its massive arches and pillars and amphitheatres, all within a compound smacked rite in the middle of the residential area.

Massive gate at entrance.
Massive gate at entrance.
Stone structure surrounding the race track.
Stone structure surrounding the race track.
Pillars still standing along the street.
Pillars still standing along the street.
What's left of what should be a beautiful building.
What’s left of what should be a beautiful building.
View of what must be the circular center of town.
View of what must be the circular center of town.
Panoramic view of Jerash.
Panoramic view of Jerash.

Stayed for about an hour before heading to the final destination of the day, Aljoun castle, which was about another short drive. The castle was perched atop a knoll, overlooking the area, therefore a good vantage point for defense in the past and for a panoramic view for the tourists today.

Shot of the castle taken enroute from the car.
Shot of the castle taken enroute from the car.
Aljoun castle.
Aljoun castle.
Castle internal with multiple steps and doorways.
Castle internal with multiple steps and doorways.
Across various arches.
Across various arches.
On the top most floor, exposed to the sun.
On the top most floor, exposed to the sun.
A vantage view of the area.
A vantage view of the area.
Stores were set up just outside this location selling memorabilia.
Stores were set up just outside this location selling memorabilia.

Journey back to town was smooth on the outskirts but got worse the nearer to town we were. On the way, we went past one of the tallest free standing flag pole in the world, the Raghadan flagpole, it was huge!

The Raghadan Flagpole.
The Raghadan Flagpole.

Once back at the hotel, we packed a haversack with stuff that we require for a night away from the hotel, as we couldn’t imagine another sleepless night there due to the noise. Took a taxi to Imperial Palace hotel, one that we searched online that had ok reviews and was at least a local 4 stars hotel. Walk in rate was higher but worth it.

Hotel standard room.
Hotel standard room.
A bidet available for use.
A bidet available for use.
Bathtub included.
Bathtub included.
View from the hotel room.
View from the hotel room.

Checked with the reception on the nearest shopping center in order to get dinner. Got on a taxi and headed to Sweifieh Avenue Mall, less than 10 mins drive away.

Checked out some fast food.
Checked out some fast food.
Kebah and chips.
Kebah and chips.
Burgers.
Burgers.
Sweifieh Avenue Mall.
Sweifieh Avenue Mall.

Didn’t spend much time since we weren’t that into shopping (it is only the start of the trip). Had our dinner and left soon after back to the hotel with ample taxis waiting on the outside of the mall. Rested well for the night.