Desert Castles and More Hiking

Last week I went on a desert castle adventure organized by my friend Sara. Sara was a Greek and Roman Studies major in university, so she knows all about these amazing forts/castles built in the desert thousands of years ago. These forts were built along the Roman road that crossed the Middle East and allowed the Roman army to maintain control of the land. The amazing thing about these forts is that they are not monitored; there are are no entry fees; and you're free to climb all over everything. If I'd been a little kid I would have had so much fun pretending I was a knight fighting for the prince's hand in marriage (I might have actually done this as an adult...).

Castle One

The first fort we visited is the best preserved fort in the middle east. We had to drive off-road in the desert in a 4x4 for several kilometers to reach it. Sara warned us in advance to look out for the wells (or giant deep death traps in the ground) that were still distributed around the fort.

The fort from a distance

We climbed to the top of one of the four precarious towers to get a better view.

Castle Two

This fort was more crumbled rocks than recognizable ruins. However most of the walls were intact and this fort was made from a beautiful dark black rock. 

Walking along the top of the ruin's most maintained wall.

We also had to drive off-road to access these ruins. On the way back to the highway, we noticed camel bones on the side of the road and I had to stop for a bite. 

I think my hair makes me look like a cavewoman in this picture.

Castle Three

The last fort was the least well maintained, but the biggest. Only to an observant-eye (or someone who knew it was there), would it look like much more than a large pile of rocks. However, once you wandered around a bit, you could see rooms and sections of wall.

Lots of rocks.

Castle Four

While the other forts were ancient ruins, Karak Castle is a only-a-couple-centuries old castle. It is very well maintained and has tunnels and rooms you're free to explore. I recommend you bring a flashlight.

Hiking Wadi ?????

The next week I went hiking in a wadi with four friends. It was a wadi that one of friends came upon by accident, so none of us knew it's name. The water in the wadi was extremely hot because there was a hot spring near the top. Usually, I would think hot water was nice, but not when it was 90 degrees outside. 

We climbed up many waterfalls (not so bad) and then climbed down many waterfalls (terrifying!). I slid down one of the waterfalls (on purpose) too!

My friends posing for me in front of a small waterfall

The rocks are red from the water at the hot spring

I'm preparing to slide down the waterfall