Day 14: Last Day In Jordan

Friday, 21st March 2008:

Today we wake up extra early, sadly its our last day in Jordan and we just don't wanna miss visiting this last place. Another historical ancient city. So we woke before 7 a.m. (Muz'im masih tidur so we just left him with Babah & Mama at home), mandi laju-laju and terus ke Jerash.

Jerash, located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, is the grandeur of Imperial Rome being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy. To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition.

Now, almost half of the city has been destroyed by earthquake. Can you just imagine how great the Roman architecture was because I can see most of the great buildings still standing.

The face of the queen: This is rock number 438!

One of the great sculptures never being mentioned in any Roman history:

Jordan will be sorely missed. Tonight we'll be flying to Dubai -our 4th country within these two weeks of our Middle-east tour.

Muz'im will terribly miss his Nini Babah & Nini Mama.. can't blame him. We felt it too. They have been the best of hosts (with extra-added love and care). May Allah bless them.

Dubai & Brunei here we come.. we're coming home everyone. Can't wait to see you.

Day 13: Damascus, Syria

Thursday, 20th March 2008:

BOSRA:

After going to the Souk Al-Hamidiyeh for the second time (sekali inda puas), we head on to Bosra (also called Bozrah or Bostra; Arabic: Busra ash-Sham) is an ancient city 67 miles (108 km) south of Damascus.

It was once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, Bosra was an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mekah. Bosra's most impressive feature is its superbly well-preserved Roman theater, complete with tall stage buildings. And there are also early Christian ruins and several old mosques to be found within its great walls.

Just like Petra (in Jordan), it was originally a Nabataean city, Bosra was conquered by the Roman emperor Trajan and made the capital of the Roman province of Arabia. It served as a key Roman fortress east of the Jordan River. The city eventually achieved the title "metropolis" under the Roman emperor Philip, who was a native of the city.


After the decline of the Roman Empire, Bosra played a significant role in the history of early Christianity. It was also Iinked to the rise of Islam, when a Nestorian monk called Bahira, who lived in Bosra Amphitheatre the city, met the young (Prophet) Muhammad (PBUH) when his caravan stopped at Bosra, and predicted his prophetic vocation and the faith (Islam) he was going to initiate.

Read more about Bosra here.


The King used to sit here... (sampai hajat Muaz jadi Leonidas)


I can see my name being initialed here:

This used to be the cave where the young (Prophet) Muhammad was hidden. You can still see tapak kaki camel nya.. it was sooo small & cramp.

One of the oldest hand-written Quran - over 200 years old.

Saiyida Fatima's mosque (Puteri Nabi).

Place for wudu' - over 200 years old.

The place where the young (Prophet) Muhammad was discovered with his camel.
The Syrian Gate.
We went back to Jordan around 6.30pm. Good 'Bye'. Gambar di bawah ani paling lawa lah.

Day 12: Damascus, Syria

Wednesday, 19th March 2008:

Today we packed lotsa food for the road. Tapi sebelum jalan kami begambar dulu.

With Uncle Din, dreber (orang kuat) di Jordan.

Masa perjalanan, Muz'im inda beranti becakap & menyanyi alllll the way, sangal jua melayan. Inda mau tidur.

An hour later, we were at the border. Took lots of pictures and did a bit of shopping at the Duty Free in Dar'aa, Syria.

Muz'im payah kan bisai begambar.. di suruh posing, bagi nya punggung tah pulang! The duty free is at the background.

First stop: Souk El-Hamidieh - A Bazaar right in the heart of Old Damascus. You can find everything here from beautiful textiles, wedding accessories, houseware and even yummy shwarmas! I love it here.. anything for a good bargain. We went back to the car with hands full of goodies.

"Abang-abang" di bawah ani sengaja di suruh posing untuk Azian, Izzah, Izun, Erah, Ayu dan selanjutnya...Before we went in the market area, there was a procession of men & horses parading in commemoration of the Maulud Nabi SAW. Meriah di sini.. besar-beasaran celebration nya.

Then we went back to what we do best.. more visits:

The Roukiyyah Mosque - A Shiite Mosque, it holds the Shrine of Saiyida Roukiyyah, the granddaughter of Nabi Muhammad SAW (PBUH). The whole place looked grand.

Maqam NabiAllah Yahya (John the Baptist) (Peace be upon him) within the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus . The mosque was initially a church, I can still see the original architecture and the mosaics. The tomb of Saladin (Salahuddien - Pahlawan Islam) stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.

The label on NabiAllah Yahya's shrine mentioned that it is only the head of Yahya (Alaihissalam) that was found when the mosque was being refurbished during the Umayyad period. Others claim that the head of Yahya (John) Peace be upon him, is housed in the crypt below a mosque in the old city of Sebastiya near Nablus, and still others claim the head was buried at Muwakir, site near the Jordan river.

We wrapped the day with a visit to Kassioun Mountain, to view the whole city of Damascus after sun down. We went there straight after dinner, dalam pukul 8.30 malam.

The mountain had a sacred significance to the people of Damascus and it was associated with lots of fictitious romances. It contains a lot of archeological and sanctuary places and rises about 1200 meters above sea level. The name Kassioun comes from the desolate nature of the mountain. Buildings expanded in Damascus and reached the foot of the mountain.

The cold wind tonight really bites! Despite that we manage to smile and take some photos... cheers!

We're definitely tired now. Isuk lagi sambung. Miss everyone.. see you in a few days :)