Let the adventure begin!

From May 11th - May 28th, the Penn State SOILS 497 class will be traveling to Jordan to study the culture and soils of the near east. Throughout the trip, we will be updating this blog so as to keep everyone informed about how the adventure is going. Make sure to check back frequently for stories and tales from the trip. When possible, we will try to upload pictures as well. Below is the itinerary for the trip and some contact information. Feel free to check out the websites as well to get an idea of where we'll be headed!

S/M, May 11-12, Day 1-2
US to Jordan (arrive early evening 05-12)

M, May 12, Day 2
Met at airport by Petra Moon Agency representative
Dinner/Overnight Amman

T, May 13, Day 3
Morning free. Lunch and meeting at Wild Jordan (Chris Johnson, director) – discuss conservation projects and Jordan’s natural resources. (http://www.rscn.org.jo/AdventuresVisit.asp)
Dinner/Overnight Amman

W, May 14, Day 4
Morning meetings with General Secretary of Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture
Afternoon tour of Amman.
Evening dinner as guests of Minister of Agriculture
Overnight Amman

R, May 15, Day 5
Jeep drive to Um al Jimal (“Black jem of the desert”); Jawa (5000 yr old ruins of city abandoned after only about 50 yrs inhabitance. Possibly site of first man-made dam); Burqu (Ghadir Burqu lake situated in harsh desert environment)
Dinner and Overnight Azraq Lodge

F, May 16, Day 6
Morning to Azraq Wetlands (Restored oasis in the Eastern Desert; http://www.rscn.org.jo/AdventuresVisit.asp)
On to Omayyad “Desert Castles” (Qasr Amra, Kharanah; http://petramoon.com/desertcastles.html)
to Ajlun Wilderness Lodge for dinner
Overnight Ajlun Wilderness Lodge

Sa, May 17, Day 7
Full day hiking trail in/around Ajlun (Evergreen oak forest; http://www.rscn.org.jo/AdventuresVisit.asp)
Dinner and Overnight Ajlun

Su, May 18, Day 8
Abila (Decapolis City; http://www.abila.org/),
Um Qais (the Biblical Gadara; http://www.nebo.com.jo/jordan/um.htm),
Jordan Valley including modern date farm (http://www.jtb.com.jo/brochures/guide_valley.html). Return to Ajlun
Overnight Ajlun

M, May 19, Day 9
Qalaat Errabadh (Hilltop Castle) in Ajlun
Jerash (Decapolis City; http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/jerash.html)
On to Madaba for dinner
Overnight Madaba

T, May 20, Day 10
Full day exploring Madaba area (http://petramoon.com/madabanebo.htm)
Visit sustainable family farm as guest of Dr. Nimer Haddadin (from Jordan’s Ministry of Ag)
Dinner at Haret Jdoudna
Overnight Madaba

W, May 21, Day 11
Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Baptismal site; http://petramoon.com/bethany.html)
Dead Sea (lowest point on earth; http://www.extremescience.com/DeadSea.htm),
Lot’s Sanctuary
Arrive Dana Nature Reserve for dinner
Overnight Dana

R, May 22, Day 12
Full day exploring Dana and terraced organic gardens with special RSCN guide (Mediterranean forest, steppe and true desert, spectacular views; http://www.rscn.org.jo/AdventuresVisit.asp)
On to Petra for dinner
Overnight Petra

F, May 23, Day 13
Full day in Petra (named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Seven_Wonders_of_the_World#Winners)
Evening cooking course and dinner at Petra Kitchen
Overnight Petra

Sa, May 24, Day 14
Second visit to Petra
Overnight Petra

Su, May 25, Day 15
Baidha (Little Petra; http://nabataea.net/beidha.html),
Um Al Alda waste water farming project
To Disi in Wadi Rum – Masri farms (http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74679)
Drive into Wadi Rum desert (Desert of Mountains; made famous in Lawrence Of Arabia; http://www.wadirum.jo/) for dinner
Overnight camping in the heart of Wadi Rum desert

M, May 26, Day 16
Short camel safari, then by jeep through Wadi Rum to Aqaba for dinner
Overnight Aqaba

T, May 27, Day 17
Free day in Aqaba (http://petramoon.com/aqaba.htm),
Red Sea beaches
late afternoon transfer to Amman
Overnight Amman

W, May 28, Day 18
Transfer to airport by Petra Moon Agency Representative
Amman to US (Arrive mid afternoon on 5/28)

Jordan Tour Group Contact:
Petra Moon Tourism Services: Wendy Botham
P O Box 129Wadi Musa-Petra, Jordan
Tel +962-3-215-6665 Fax +962-3-215-6666

Accommodation Contact:
May 12-15 Red Rose Hotel, Um Utheina, Amman; tel +962-6-551-2301 fax 552-2286
May 15-16 Azraq RSCN Lodge, Azraq Oasis; tel/fax +962-5-383-5017
May 16-19 Ajlun Wilderness Lodge; tel/fax +962-2-647-5673
May 19-21 Madaba Inn; tel +962-5-325-9003 fax 325-9008
May 21-22 Dhana Rummana Camp; tel +962-3-227-4097 fax 227-4099
May 22-25 Petra Palace Hotel; tel +962-3-215-6723 fax 215-6724
May 25-26 camping in Wadi Rum (contact Petra Moon)
May 26-27 Jordan Suites Hotel, Aqaba; tel +962-3-203-0890 fax 203-0893
May 27-28 Red Rose Hotel, Amman (as above)

Flight Information:
TO AMMAN
US Airways (operated by Royal Jordanian) #8702
Depart JFK New York 11:00 PM May 11, 2008
Arrive Amman, Queen Alia Intl Arpt 5:15 PM May 12, 2008

RETURN TO US
US Airways (operated by Royal Jordanian) #8701
Depart Amman 10:30 AM May 28, 2008
Arrive JFK 4:00 PM May 28, 2008