Petra Rocks!

This blog spans 2 days – for the best stuff head down to the Petra bit! Had to rewrite intro a tad but it’s been an alright day followed by a superb one! Keeps my mind of the trouble I might have getting to London in less than a week...

Israel and Jordan Border

We were picked up from our hotel Saturday morning and drove through the deserted streets of Jerusalem. We obviously were in a very orthodox part of town because for a while we didn’t see any other vehicle but plenty of well-dressed men heading to their synagogue. Got a few nasty looks from the locals, especially when roads were closed and our driver got lost and had to backtrack past some unhappy Jews. They probably didn’t need to see us twice!

We again descended to the Jordan River Valley, and I am beginning to hate Israeli border control. I could complain for another 2 pages about their idiotic system (glad Dad wasn’t with us or he might have blown a fuse) but we finally got on a bus heading to Jordan. Got there and passports were taken for another unorganised mess of custom controls. I need to take a deep breath and not get stressed – it’s all over now.

Our driver speaks fantastic ‘American’ English – and is also our guide. It’s better than having a guide and a driver. We got in for our trek to Petra but like a good guide he offered to take us to some sights along the way (having to pay extra of course).

Mount Nebo

For those good on their Bible history, Mount Nebo is the location that Moses saw the Promised Land from and died. Supposedly on a good clear day you can see right to Jerusalem but no such luck for us. Still was a good view though! There is a church being renovated/repaired and a small museum – some amazing mosaics that have been uncovered. Good place to put on the ‘been there, seen that’ list that’s growing quite rapidly.

St. George’s Church Mosaic

The final extra stop we visited on the trip south was a church that has a very historic mosaic map on the floor. The photo I took of the real map on the floor didn’t really work out so here’s a photo of reconstruction of the map. I got a bit confused with the geography – it’s funny how I was assuming North was up on the map because our guide kept saying Egypt was on the far right. Got all confused with east and south... until I got the right perspective!

Oscar Hotel

After we finished the 3 to 4 hour drive – so glad to get out of the car. I’m never going to drive across the Nullabour. We arrived at our hotel which is set up with Oscar and movie paraphernalia. Actually it’s an amazing hotel for a 3 star. After our Russian experience, I think we’ve having a French experience! They’re everywhere here. (Another reason Dad might have been annoyed...)

We had a reasonably early night ready for the excitement of Petra tomorrow.

Petra

Wow! Today was amazing, impressive, incredible, superfragilisticexpeladociously awesomely fantastic!! (and I think I’m tired and prone to a bit of exaggeration) It ranks probably just a bit above day in Luxor to be the highlight so far! I took the most photos for any single day, am physically exhausted but ecstatic for all that we’ve seen and experienced. To think it was only because Mum wanted to see Petra that we ended up coming to Jordan.

Couple of things made it even more special – the silver lining of the ash cloud descending on Europe is that less and less tourists are getting to these places. Our guide wasn’t too impressed but while there were plenty of people it wasn’t Japanese public transport busy. The weather was great – warm but you can’t argue with that in the desert and clear blue sky. Also while we had a guide for the walk in he left us alone for hours and we just got to do what we wanted and show a little independence for a change!

I’m not going to upload all my photos – but since there is free internet will try to upload quite a few. We’ll see if I can stay awake...

Horse Ride

Our overall organising guide dropped us at the gates – he lives a great life – and another guide took us in. We had a horse ride to the start of the siq or gorge. Was very tame but something new to try – and our ticket price included it so why not?

Treasury

I don’t really want this blog to become a guidebook. I wrote a paragraph of what we saw. Sort of became a “And then... And then... And then...” Instead I’ll try and share highlights and funny stories that I want to remember – rather than the stuff like the history of their gods or their great architectural knowledge. However the part I’d been looking forward was the Treasury or the ‘Indiana Jones Temple.’ The gorge narrows dramatically and then wowsers! From then on the theme song just stuck in my head the rest of the day. Here’s another tourist photo that has to be taken – our guide was impressive for photo opportunities!

As our guide said, he will be remembered for this next photo he took. Was a bit out of the way but Facebook profile photo here we come!

He shared tons of information – there were heaps of photos but I don’t have time to subject you to an old school slide show of the fantastic natural rock formations or the exquisite rock carvings. Just trust me and put Petra on your eventual travel plans!

Monastery Hike

So our guide left us and it had been recommended to me to climb further to the monastery. Takes about 2 hours and is a bit difficult. Mum chose not to come – she could have made it – but shopping took priority! So off I set – feeling very adventurous. Until I started to pass 60+ year olds – dampened the excitement a touch...

Was an incredible climb but something unfortunate happened on the way up. I only took my wallet, camera and a water bottle. All was going well – heart rate was going up – until I started to pass this ravine. For some reason was doing the water bottle throw and grab one handed. As some certain people know (won’t name names) this can all end badly. Well I was sweaty and it slipped and fell. The worst part however was I swore... #&!% - I never swear!! I think the last time (except at TVC when I said ‘bugger’ playing handball – oops) I let out a 4-letter expletive was snow skiing while still in school. (stupid bindings not closing) Not that I’m a saint but I was foolishly proud of my record (unless someone remembers another time – I’m happy to be proved wrong). And then to make matters worse – I swore again when I realised I’d broken my clean run. Uh Oh... Before I got into an infinite loop of progressively worsening swearing my water bottle headed towards the ravine. Luckily for my hydration levels I managed to grab it without endangering myself. One thing I’ve been told is if you can laugh at yourself, you’ll always be amused!

[The &%$!ing ravine – had to take a photo – I was about where the lady was]

After the excitement I reached the top. The thesaurus has stopped helping me come up with ‘great’ words. Well worth the trip! Got some American ladies to take a photo of me in front of it but didn’t work well. Here’s a photo I took with some randoms to get perspective.

There were stalls the whole way up – and at the top there was a restaurant with ice-cold water and drinks. Many people looked as though they would have paid 1000 Dinar just to get a drink. I was told by our guide to continue on and there’s a fantastic view. My photos are just pathetic... One of those things you need to see yourself! Well worth the extra distance and so many people either didn’t care or didn’t know. You could see forever.

Return Trip

Got back reasonably quickly – no excitement on return journey. Met up with Mum and we started the long walk back. Luckily I arrived or Mum would require a 3rd bag for all her souvenirs. (just kidding Mum - kinda) Shopping just doesn’t excite me but whatever floats your boat.

But back to a feature that hasn’t got much run in this blog. I thought we’d have a moment in Israel that would make the list but either I’m ignorant or insensitive but felt safe the whole time we were there.

MOST DANGEROUS MOMENTS OF TRIP

1. Crossing 8 lanes of busy Cairo traffic without lights

2. Cornering wild goats on some temple stairs

I know this is a weak one – but my mind flashed to How I Met Your Mother. Do a search... There were heaps of goats in this temple and they were running from me as I wandered. They took off up some stairs that I wanted to go to but another person was standing at the top. The goats just about had a heart attack with so much pressure. They unfortunately chose to head back towards me – was just a baby rampage. Got a photo of some of the goats who just froze in shock.

Now back to regular broadcasting – this is called the Urn tomb which we both climbed up to and was probably the 3rd best carved tomb there. Huge area carved into the rock and nice and cool. Not great photo but best I got showing Roman influence on it all.

We finally walked out – was bit tired by then and Mum was glad she hadn’t done the extra. No horse ride this time but we managed. So glad it wasn’t oppressive heat. We got back to the town and just had to take this photo!

[Indiana Jones Coffee Shop]

Congrats to those that made it this far – Too many memories today. I need to go to bed – off to Wadi Rum tomorrow. Does anyone know of an anti-ash dance/sacrifice/musical number similar to a rain dance? I’d love to hear from you...

Week Ahead

Mon, 19th of April To Amman via Wadi Rum

Tues, 20th of April Amman and Jerash, then fly to Cairo

Wed, 21st of April Farewell Mum and head to London (Doubtful)

Thurs, 22nd of April Leave London for Paris (Prob. Heading to Paris someway...)

Fri, 23rd of April Day in Paris (Maybe caught up by now...)

Sat, 24th of April Paris to Switzerland (Better not still be in Cairo)

Sun, 25th of April Swiss Alps (Why volcano, Why?)