- Night in Petra
We returned late at night to the Treasury. - Petra at night
In front of the Treasury. - Siq, Petra
Left and right from the path the sophisticated irrigation system is visible. - The Treasury, Petra
And the Treasury the next morning. Magnificent at any time of the day. - The Monastery in Petra
Sitting on a rock and watching the Sun set is pretty much the best thing one can do. - The Monastery in Petra
The facade is beautifully illuminated in the afternoon. - El Deir, the Monastery, in Petra
Built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century AD, it is carved from solid rock and about 45 m high. - Byzantine Chruch in Petra
Is this a camel-shaped giraffe? Or a giraffe-patterned camel? Giraffel? - Byzantine Chruch in Petra
The church is from the 5th century AD. The mosaics are over 70 square meters and full of exotic and mythological animals. - Byzantine Chruch in Petra
A boar that boarded Noah's ark. - Petra
An estimated 30 000 people lived here. - Petra
There are graves, everywhere you look. - Petra
Detail of the carved graves. - Petra
Wonderful colours in the carved graves. - Nabataean theatre in Petra
Most of this 1AD theatre was, in contrast to Roman theatres, carved out of solid rock. It seated about 8500 people. - Petra
Rock pattern in a cave - Petra
Carved interior. - Petra
A typical Nabataean capital. It looks like an angel to me, spreading its wings. - Petra
Nabataeans were merchants and traded with many different peoples from that time (some centuries BC to some centuries AD), as is best seen in their architectural influences (including Assyrian). - Taxi in Petra
A typical scene in Petra. Camels are forbidden in the Siq but allowed behind the Treasury where the path broadens. - The Treasury, Al-Kazneh, Petra
The Nabataeans carved it from solid rock. The Treasury is not really a treasury. People believed that a treasure was hidden in the urn at the top of the second level, but the urn is solid sandstone. This is the best preserved facade as it is very hidden and protected from the sun, the wind, the water. - Opposite the Treasury, Petra
- The Treasury, Petra
First view of the famous Treasury, Al-Khazneh, 1st century AD. - Aaaand the Treasury, Petra
First view of the famous Treasury, Al-Khazneh, 1st century AD. - The Siq, Petra
- A very curvy part of the Siq
- View through the Siq, Petra
- The Treasury in Petra
We were one of the last tourists in the Siq on that afternoon. - Jordan
From Al-Kerak towards Petra - Jordan
From Al-Kerak towards Petra - Jordan
From Al-Karak towards Petra. - Kerak castle, Al Karak
The kitchen was illuminated from above. - Kerak castle, Al Karak
A thousand years old kitchen - Kerak castle, Al Karak
Built during the crusades in 1140 and in a very good condition. - Jordan
The tour guide exchanged money. Lots of it. - From Dead Sea to Al Karak
From -430 m to +930 m. - Jordan
Local traffic. - Dead Sea
The salinity of Dead Sea is 34 %. - Dead Sea
Already at -430 m "above" sea level, the sea level drops almsot 1 m per year! - Dead Sea
Aaaah, the salty cauliflowers - Dead Sea
Mud and salt. And apparently healthy. - Mount Nebo
Towards the Dead Sea - Mount Nebo
Mosaics on Mount Nebo from 762 AD. As far as I can tell, it says "Uper sotirias prosforas matronas", something about offerings to Saint Matrona. - Mount Nebo
Mosaics on Mount Nebo. - Mount Nebo
"By the providence of God, this venerable monastery of the Holy Theotokos was rebuilt at the time of Job, Bishop of the people of Madaba and of George the Recluse. The 15th indiction of the year 6270." And in the corners are four rivers: Gion, Tigris, Eufratis and Fison. - Mount Nebo
- Arabic numbers
So similar and yet different. 1933-1993. Although it is written from right to left, the numbers are written from left to right. - Mount Nebo
Mosaics on Mount Nebo. - Mount Nebo
Mosaics on Mount Nebo. - Mount Nebo
There were quite strong eastern winds, very warm and very dry. - Madaba
Early morning in Madaba. The day started with a muezzin call, followed by the church bells. - Karekare Beach
Made famous by the film The Piano. - Piha Beach
Our last sunset on New Zealand. - Auckland
America's Cup Yacht. - Wai-o-Tapu
Devil's bath. - Wai-o-Tapu
Devil's bath. A totally natural lake. - Wai-o-Tapu
Insane place - Wai-o-Tapu
Champagne Pool - Zorbing, Rotorua
Wet-zorbing down the hill. Extreme fun! - Wai-o-Tapu
Devil's Bath. Apparently sulphur gives the devilish green colour. - Lake Taupo
The Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings. - Tongariro Crossing
View from the top of Mount Ngauruhoe, 2291 m. - Tongariro crossing
Volcanoes! - Tongariro
Mount Ngauruhoe, 2291 m - Tongariro crossing
Volcanoes! - NZL 41, America's Cup Yacht, Auckland
Sailing on an America's Cup Yacht is special. Truly special. - Tongariro crossing
Emerald Lakes. - Tongariro
Mount Ngauruhoe, 2291 m - Tongariro
Mount Ngauruhoe, 2291 m - Tongariro Crossing
Crowds on Tongariro Crossing - Tongariro crossing
Mount Ngauruhoe - Blue Lake, Tongariro
- Leaving South Island
Crossing the Cook Strait, on the ferry from Nelson towards Wellington