Day 10 - Plains of Moab: Wadi Musa, Shobek, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea

Our last day of the tour found us up early and on the bus, leaving our beautiful hotel in Petra and heading up the hill to a very special spring. Named the Wadi Musa, meaning, “The Valley of Moses,” local tradition claims that this is the spring where Moses struck the rock providing water for the thirsty Israelites to drink. It was this moment, recorded in Numbers 20, when Moses lost the privilege of entering the Promised Land in that the Lord had asked him to speak to the rock, not strike it.

We then continued north to Madaba, a two and a half hour bus ride. On the way, we stopped to see the Crusader-era castle of Shobek. We also discussed the agriculture of the Jordanian Highlands and its biblical references. We travelled north on a highway in the eastern desert just east of the highlands, the approximate route of the Israelites at the end of their 40 years of wandering as they made the way to Mount Nebo before entering the Land of Canaan. We crossed through the ancient territories of Edom and Moab, crossing the ancient boundary at the Wadi Zered and finally arrived at the city of Madaba.

A traditional Jordanian lunch of maqluba was served at the Food Basket Restaurant. After lunch, we headed for the Tree of Life Mosaic shop. Madaba has been known as a capital of mosaic arts for centuries. The artisans of this shop are all disabled and our shopping there helps support them during a lull in Muddle East tourism.

After shopping, we drove to Mount Nebo and soaked in the view of the Dead Sea Valley and Israel from the very spot where Moses viewed the Land. We discussed the importance of the site and all the important events in biblical history that took place there.

After leaving Mount Nebo, we descended to a depth of 1,400 feet below sea level and checked into our hotel. Then nearly the whole gang hit the beach to float in the sea and enjoy a mud bath. It was another fantastic day in Jordan and a spectacular ending to an epic tour of Egypt and Jordan.