Petra

It’s strange to know that it was actually my dream to visit Petra after watching Indiana Jones and the last Crusade. I was so small. I didn’t know Petra or Jordan existed but I really wanted to see that ‘Building’ or structure where Indiana Jones rode out from on his horse.

We reached Petra at 10pm at night after crossing the border and it was 0 degree celcius outside!. It took us about 3 hours from the Dead Sea in Israel and across the desert to reach the border before it closed at 8pm. Then we had to travel 2 hours to Petra in Jordan. There were very few vehicles on the road, and it was deserted. There are no houses and buildings on both sides. We were the only bus on the road. Imagine if the bus tyre punctured or anything happened to our bus, we then would have to wait for a passing vehicle to help us.

As we were journeying to the border, I was fortunate to see the setting sun on my side of the window and it made me reflect on a few things. The whole lonely bus-ride experience reminded me of how Moses, Abraham and maybe Jesus journeyed through this same desert. There is sand everywhere and the whole place is so dry. The weather outside is so cold and windy. How did they survive the harsh weather? I’ve always imagined Israel to be a very hot place but I am wrong.

There was this feeling of loneliness because everything seemed so quiet outside from the inside of the bus. There was no sign of any form of life outside. After the sunset, it was pitch black outside except for the stars in the sky. (It would be quite nice to camp outside and take pictures of the stars..hehe)

The following morning, we went to the archaeological site of the city of the Nabataens.

Petra Town

Old sculpture of a man.

Most of the structures here consist of tombs.

Narrow passage or 'The Siq' that leads to the city

The end of 'The Siq'.

The Treasury.

There is actually nothing inside, unlike the one shown in 'Indiana Jones'. 

There were many poor children selling postcards and knick-knacks . This boy has such the sweetest smile and voice. My heart melted..hehe

There are many pretty patterns on the sandstones caused by weathering.

Apparently King Amaziah pushed down many Edomites from one of the cliffs here. (2 Chronicles 25:11)
The cliffs don't look so high as before due to sedimentation over the years.

The real Indiana Jones

View of the old city from the new city

Petra in the evening

It was such an amazing experience. I am missing this place already...

I miss...

.....the quietness and serenity of this place. How nice if I could wake up to this view every morning.

This cow reminds me of my Panda. :(

14 years.

I was 12 the last time I came here with Timmy and my parents. I can only remember taking a picture in front of the board which shows the route to Mt. Kinabalu. Can't believe 14 years passed by just like that! Oh my....Forty, 14 years from now.

Cameron Highlands

How fast the week has passed by and there is still so much of unfinished work. eg. studying! On Sunday I went for my church family camp. I went with very low expectations and I wanted to get away from something (and someone) for a few days.

But God indeed surprised me. Things turned out quite differently from what I initially expected. I had a wonderful time with Him and with people. I think I needed it. I needed a break from the unseen things that are happening in my life.

Some thoughts that have stayed with me since camp.

• Sometimes we pretend to have some form of godliness. It is like a gold-coated ring that looks expensive but in actual fact it is not because of the impurities that are hidden behind it.
• God will show me greater things than this. Am I prepared for it?
• I take courage when I read 2 Corinthians 4:16. 'Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.'

Here are some of my favourite pictures taken at Camerons.

This No-Name Doggy made my stay at Chefoo a rather enjoyable one. On the first day it was quite apprehensive of me..but ooh, we bonded perfectly well once we got acquainted with each other...hehehe

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After gobbling down the scones, I asked Meng Yee to teman me to walk to the nearby stream. It was after the rain and I felt that the place was so lovely. The ground was covered with moss and there were rain drops on the trees, leaves, flowers and everything else..

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My mum and I. I'm so glad she went also.

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My pastor's daughter.

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Siew Hoon. hehehe

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I see 2 groups of people here. 3 of them are already church leaders. The other group will be the future church leaders. Yes?...hehe

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Mona. I like the blue sky! That's why I asked her to stand facing the sun and the blue sky behind her. :-)

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Red, Yellow and Green

*** It was my 2nd time in Camerons this year. I can still remember the first time (this year) I went which was somewhere around May and then I got terribly ill the day after I went back home. I will be going back in November! I don't think I will ever get tired of this place...

***Marchantia. I fell down like a cempedak while looking for this. It was my first time seeing this outside of a Bio lab. I think I got too excited that's why I fell.hehe...
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The four pictures above were taken at Sg. Palas Boh Tea Plantation.

Cameron Highlands...Once Again: Part 1

Cameron Highlands...Once Again: Part 2

Cameron Highlands...Once Again: Part 3