My visit to Amman, Jordan -- in pictures

Jordan is a peaceful country in the troubled Middle East discovers Mridula Dwivedi who travelled there as part of the Indian media contingent to cover the visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Land.

She shares her photo diary:

When the aircraft started making the descent to Queen Alia International Airport at Jordan, I was glued to the window. 

And this was the sight that welcomed me to Jordan.

I knew Jordan was an arid desert but I was not aware that it presented such a fascinating vista from the air.

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The Amman Citadel is situated on one of the seven hills that made up Amman in the earlier days.

It has the influence of three religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The ruins are impressive. It requires some walking around to see all the attractions.

You can see the Palestinian settlements looming all around the other hills, a reminder of the complex situation in the Middle East.

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The Dead Sea is actually a salt water lake 427 meters below the sea level.

The water is so saline that once you start floating, it is difficult to stand upright again.

And in the process, if you got some of it in your mouth or eyes, heaven help you, it stings like mad.

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The Dead Sea mud is said to be excellent for skin.

The ritual is put it on liberally, let it dry and then wash it away by walking in the lake.

You can get as creative as you like!

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About 90 per cent of Jordan is arid desert, hence lunar landscapes are common. Jordan has good roads and very little traffic if you get out of Amman.

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Jordan is famous for its mosaic art.

The most famous piece of the mosaic art is the sixth centaury mosaic map of the Holy Land which was rediscovered in 1896 in Madaba.

The mosaic in the picture depicts the visit of Pope Johan Paul II with the King Abdullah (in the business suit) and Queen Rania at Bethany Beyond the Jordan.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan is said to be the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

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The mass by Pope Francis was conducted in the Amman Stadium.

Before the pope arrived these priests on the main stage demonstrated that no one can resist taking a selfie!

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The Pope went around the stadium in his open vehicle which is now dubbed as Popemobile.

I was standing on a chair, zoom extended to full length to catch and capture a glimpse of His Holiness.

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The downtown Amman is a pleasure for walking.

The shops sell an assortment of local goods.

They are planning a new modern downtown with malls but I would prefer the old one any given day!

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This impressive Roman amphitheater was built in 131-161 CE.

It has a seating capacity of 6000.

If you stand in the middle and say something it echoes across the arena.

The view from the top is impressive.

It is easy to climb up but more difficult to get down as the stairs are narrow and slippery.

However the view from the top is a must do in my opinion.

My trip was a short one and I missed out on both Petra and Wadi Rum.

I hope there is going to be a next time for me in Jordan.

Mridula Dwivedi is an academic from India who is passionate about trekking and travelling. She blogs at Travel Tales from India.