The alarm rang at 3:15 a.m. And we were up, showered, dressed and waiting for the airport shuttle by 3:45. We picked up a half dozen other sleepy passengers and headed to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight to Eilat.
The plane was a rickety 757 that had seen better days but it landed without incident an easy hour after take-off. From there we took a cab to the Jordanian border. We were two of only 5 people among dozens who were not a part of an organized tour group and it took us awhile to figure out the system for us independent types. Even so, it did nothing to speed up a very slow process.
I wanted to bring out the camera but there was a young Jordanian soldier (among many) slouched in a plastic garden chair with a large machine gun on his laptop looking quite bored. Gord discouraged me from any photography as he did not want to risk the excitement.
Once into Jordan, we took another cab into Aqaba to Thrifty rentals and arranged a car. One of the attendant’s young sons sat in the office with me while Gord (whom they call Jordan) inspected the vehicle. I brought out my maple sugar candy to share and when they learned we were Canadians the father recalled his 3 years living in Dubai rooming with a Canadian university professor who cooked him Canadian steak and potatoes. He turned out to be very helpful in advising us on where to buy water and fill up the car. The car itself is a compact thing that has seen much better days.
The way to Petra by road is not complicated. First, the Desert Highway, then the King’s Highway and we found ourselves on its doorstep. The surreal part is what is in between. My attempts at photos just do not do it justice. Camels, donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats feed on clumpy brown shrubs and we wonder how any living thing finds water here. Bedouin black tents dot the sand-colored landscape and some low growing crop patches roll along the rocky slopes.
We were grateful for the road signs indicating the way. Getting lost was not a welcome thought.
We arrived at about 2:00, checked into an oasis of a hotel called the Petra Moon, bought a park pass and tickets for a Petra by Night tour, grabbed a Greek salad and took a nap!
They say Petra is one of the top 10 places you should see before you die and we don’t really buy into the whole bucketlist thing but the comment still puts an eager anticipation in us. It is quite something to think that the entire nation of Israel under Moses likely came this way over the Jordan River and into Canaan. It is also fascinating to travel a route that others have for thousands of years.
Years ago on my first Middle Eastern visit, I had no money and little courage so when I could have ridden a camel, I didn’t. Funny the things you regret. this time I have a little more of both so we used camel transport to see parts of this incredible place.
We hope you enjoy the photos.
Sandi, thanks for the wonderful pictures and journaling of your travels. They are amazing and enjoying following along with you both.
Blessings and safe travelling.
Thank you, Sharon. We do find it a challenge to decide what to include, there’s just so much! God is good!