9.00 a.m - We start our journey on the final day to the Citadel. From here a splendid panorama of Amman can be had. Similar to Rome, Amman was situated on seven hills. The Citadel dates back to the Roman/Byzantine period where the traces of the fortifications of Roman times can be seen such as the temple of Hercules and the remain of Byzantine Church. It was constructed under imperial ruler, Marcus Aurelius (AD 161-180). From atop of the hill, we can view the Roman Amphitheater below, the largest in Jordan, capable of seating 6,000 spectators. Beside the ruins, sits a nondescript archeological museum with only a token sampling of Dead Sea Scrolls, the majority of the collection residing in neighboring Israel.
The Bible also recorded that King David captured the city in the early 10th century BC; Uriah the Hittite, husband of King David's paramour Bathsheba, was killed here after the king ordered him to the front line of battle.
Temple of Hercules
The Audience Hall
Inside the hall
The remains of Byzantine Church
Cistern
Roman amphitheater
Archeological Museum
The Bible also recorded that King David captured the city in the early 10th century BC; Uriah the Hittite, husband of King David's paramour Bathsheba, was killed here after the king ordered him to the front line of battle.
Temple of Hercules
The Audience Hall
Inside the hall
The remains of Byzantine Church
Cistern
Roman amphitheater
Archeological Museum
Skeleton of a baby buried in the vase
Dead Sea scrolls made of sheep's skin
10.45 a.m - We continue or journey to the Cave of 7 sleeper - Kubur Ashaful Kahfi. The story begun when the seven young men were accused of Christianity. They were given some time to recant their faith. Instead they gave their worldly goods to the poor, and retired to a mountain to pray, where they fell asleep. The emperor, seeing that their attitude towards paganism had not improved, ordered the mouth of the cave to be sealed. Decades passed. At some later time, during the reign of Theodosius the landowner decided to open up the sealed mouth of the cave, to use it as a cattle pen.
As stated in The Qur'an that the period of time these sleepers spent in the cave was three hundred years during which the calendar of their people was changed from solar to lunar and, as a result, the period of their sleep has increased to 309 (lunar) years. When they woke up, they had no idea they slept for centuries and thought they only slept a few hours. When they sent one of them to buy food, the coins he used to buy food were out of circulation and drew the attention of the town's people. After the story was widely known, the sleepers died. The Qur'an also mentions a dog along the sleepers.
As stated in The Qur'an that the period of time these sleepers spent in the cave was three hundred years during which the calendar of their people was changed from solar to lunar and, as a result, the period of their sleep has increased to 309 (lunar) years. When they woke up, they had no idea they slept for centuries and thought they only slept a few hours. When they sent one of them to buy food, the coins he used to buy food were out of circulation and drew the attention of the town's people. After the story was widely known, the sleepers died. The Qur'an also mentions a dog along the sleepers.
The Cave of the 7 sleepers
The remains of skeleton
11.30 a.m - We then had our lunch at one of the restaurant in town. We planned to had our lunch in one of Malaysian restaurant but our tour guide got the info that the restaurant is closed for some construction. After lunch we went to the souk in the city to find some souvenirs to bring back home. Nothing much attract my interest but I did bought some table mat, shawl, t-shirts, key chains and fridge magnets for friends. After 2 hours of shopping we decided to go back to our apartment and had some rest before departed to Khartoum.
6.30 p.m - Hubby went to a nearby Burger King's restaurant to buy some food for dinner. Pack the remaining stuff bought in the souk and get ready to the airport.
9.00 p.m - Ust. Zaid and the driver had waited us to send to the airport. It was really a tiring holidays but we had fun and glad that we manage to cover almost the historical places in 4 days. Until our next holidays in June we will keep the sweet memories in Jordan in our heart. Last but not least thanks to my dear hubby for a wonderful birthday present for me and Erica.
6.30 p.m - Hubby went to a nearby Burger King's restaurant to buy some food for dinner. Pack the remaining stuff bought in the souk and get ready to the airport.
9.00 p.m - Ust. Zaid and the driver had waited us to send to the airport. It was really a tiring holidays but we had fun and glad that we manage to cover almost the historical places in 4 days. Until our next holidays in June we will keep the sweet memories in Jordan in our heart. Last but not least thanks to my dear hubby for a wonderful birthday present for me and Erica.
Us in front of our hotel apartment
The kids waiting to check-in
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