Day 3

Our first Day in Petra - no cycling today ! Our guide Wael was very enthusiastic and we spent the morning walking through Petra with him. It is a 1.4 km walk to The Treasury - the most important tomb. The whole place is busy and chaotic with camels, horses pulling carriages, donkeys giving rides and people's selling souvenirs The walk down the siq and initial view of the Treasury is breathtaking. We carried on with Wael until lunch and then he gave advise on the afternoon - we carried on and climbed up to see another tomb called the Monastery where there were amazing views We bought a 'snack lunch ' at the bottom and carried it up - eating it in on a rock with a rather flea ridden looking dog looking on We then carried on the climb to a view point with spectacular views We had strict instruction on timing from Wael so set off walking back 20 km walk for the day . The eveni g event was a dinner in a Bedouin camp - eating Maqloubah - chicken and rice cooked in a pan and then turned out onto a big metal circular plate - Very nice evening

Day 2

After a good nights sleep in Hotel Delilah we walked through Madobar to see the oldest map of The Holy Land in St George's Church It was a mosaic map dating back to 4th century We then jumped in the bus and went up Mount Nebo to see the place where Moses was buried - more old mosaics and a fantastic view over The Holy Land. Next onto the bikes for a long descent with great views of the road winding down to the shores of the Dead Sea. We stopped at a beach retsort to swim - the water was viscous and as predicted we all floated ! We then got back on the bus and travelled to Petra for 3 nights in Petra Palace Hotel - pleasant but tired ! Jordanian meal in Oriental restaurant

Day1

Arrived late last night after very comfortable flight with Royal Jordanian Airlines (real cutlery!) 

Very nice hotel

Went by bus to Jerash - the second largest Roman town Very interesting with lots of remains Our guide Wael is very friendly knowledgeable and efficient . 

Had sandwich on bus then got our bikes and did a 45 km mainly downhill cycle but a couple of little ups to catch us out Dramatic scenery on the way down The bikes have seen better days ! Trek hybrids 

Staying in Madoba - hotel pretty basic - arrived in dark so can't see town Having a group dinner in the hotel tonight