"The River Jordan is deep and wide"

No it isn't, not here at least!

Our last day in Jordan, and our last historical site visit.

This photo was taken at Bethany, the site of Jesus' baptism, and here the River Jordan is little more than 2m wide; you could wade across if you were willing to risk the bullet in the back, and even I couldn't miss from that distance.

These pilgrims, in Israel, are being baptised in the River Jordan. I hope they had had all their immunisations.

Further inland the site has been extensively excavated, restored and protected. Audio guides, a waymarked path etc. are available to lead visitors, many of whom are, it seems, moved to tears by the experience, not sure if it's the spiritual experience or something else.

There are some very beautiful churches close by in an area rich in Old and New Testament stories.