Petra & Wadi Rum

Saturday, October 07, 2023
Wadi Musa, Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
(We awoke to hear the news of the attack in Israel, but we had no information. We had just been through the border crossing 24 hours earlier and now it is closed.) 
We met Ziad (Zee Add) and went directly across the street to the entrance of the site.  One has to walk at least 3 miles to even get to the first major site, the Treasury. It is all sloped downhill and most of this walk is in the shade of the canyon.  Think Indiana Jones. Arriving at this iconic site, there is a square where one can climb higher to get better photos.
We took a break, had a Jordanian coffee and then continued on. This 3 mile trek is in the sun. Love, love, love my umbrella. There are vendors, camels donkeys and carts that can move those that have lost their energy. Ziad recommended adding the Al-Khubtha trail that is a 2.5mile trail straight up to see the Royal tombs. Daunting, yet amazing.  
There are no hand rails or any manmade devices to keep you from falling to your death.  Tyler’s 70-30 rule saved the day.  We arrived at the Great Temple area on the Colonnaded Street.  Here one can hop on a camel or a donkey or a horse cart to get a lift back to the treasury.  Paul was ready to steal any animal to get back up the sloping trail. We did make it back by foot, albeit slowly, to the Treasury.  Here Paul, Tim and I paid for a ticket to get a golf cart for the last 3 miles that are all uphill. There was more pushing and shoving and line jumping but finally I made it to the number one position and the Bedouin man, who was holding all the cash, said “you are the queen” which I replied, “of course I am”. Pauly and I high fived at least 3 times from our great seats on the golf cart. 
We logged over 20,000 steps and 66 flights of stairs.  My knees are barking!
We checked out of the hotel and then drove to Wadi Rum.  Here we stopped and climbed into the back of a pickup truck for our desert tour.  I felt like I was in one of those movies with trucks chasing you through the desert.  We made some stops for the views and ended our tour with our Bedouin driver, building a fire and making us tea, as we watched the sun set.  Absolutely amazing! We then checked into our “luxury camp” panoramic view yurt for a night in the desert.  At this point all we wanted was a shower and to go to sleep!  It was beautiful though. Also no television or internet.

Comments

Kent
2023-10-09

Carolyn Ruth and I have been praying that you are ok and are relieved. You timed that pretty close! Kent

2025-02-07

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