Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

About this book

A one week break during sabbatical afforded time to venture off to the Sinai and Jordan. This is a pictorial record of what was to be a once in a life time experience of extraordinary natural beauty, Gods creation.

Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

John Walker msc

Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

John Walker msc

Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

John Walker msc

Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

John Walker msc

Barren Lands: Sinai & Jordan

No visit to the middle east would be complete without visiting St Catherine Monastery in the Sinai desert, and climbing Mt Sinai, a holy site to Jews, Christians and Muslims. To have reached its summit and watched the sun set in the west with a full moon rising over Jordan to the east, together with the call to prayer from a mosque in the valley below, was without a doubt a peak experience. It was a moment for quiet stillness and sense the beauty of Gods creation. Ancient Nabatean ruins and inscriptions awaited us in the desert as we traveled to Aqaba and then onto the Wadi Rum, the locale of Lawrence of Arabia. Nothing had prepared us for the spectacular beauty of this desert landscape, and the kaleidoscope of colours that greeted us with every turn. Onto the ancient red city of Petra with its awesome sculptured edifices, thence Madaba and the ancient mosaic map, Mt Nebo and the view into the promised land, and finally Jarash, one of the most stunningly beautiful Roman ruins in the middle east. Thanks to my fellow travellers, Veronica, Marion, John and Larry for sharing these moments with me. John Walker msc On Sabbatical at Tantur, Jerusalem, Israel November, 2012

Arrival at Eliat, Israel and transiting Taba, Egypt en route to the Sinai (full moon rising over Jordan and the Gulf of Aquaba above)

Coffee stop at Nuweiba en route to St Catherines, Sinai, Egypt

St Catherines Monastery, Sinai, Egypt (hotel above left)

Beginning the trek up Mt Sinai from St Catherines Monastery

Looking up at Mt Sinai from the trail

Moon rise & sunset, Mt Sinai, Egypt

The end of the descent from Mt Sinai and the Rock of Moses

8000 year old Nabatean tombs Sinai Desert, Egypt

Desert Bedouin

Inscription Rock, Sinai Desert, Egypt

Gulf of Aqaba, Taba, Egypt

Wadi Rum, Jordan tales of Lawrence of Araba

Ancient Nabatean rock carvings Wadi Rum, Jordan

Petra, Jordan

Amara Palace Hotel, Wadi Musa, Jordan

Madaba, Jordan and the ancient mosaic map

Mt Nebo, Jordan: the site from which Moses looked over into the promised land after 40 years in the wilderness

Jarash: premier Roman city ruins, Jordan