Days 104-106: Jordan, Wadi Rum and Petra

From Dhahab, Egypt we headed to Jordan, but we had to pass through Eilat, Israel for about 10 minutes before we reached Jordan. The storms created huge waves at the Eilat border station, which is normally very calm.

 

The sea from the border post at Eilat.

Walking across the border from Israel into Jordan. The Israeli checkpoint was very thorough and asked a lot of questions. They also searched the bags of several of the Aussies and Kiwis in our group, but not ours. On the other hand, at the Jordan border there was no guard at the open gate and our guide had to go find one to stamp our passports.

On the way to Wadi Rum, we stopped at the ruins of a fortress in Aqaba. It was built by the Mamaluks in the 1200s and is in pretty good shape. We then headed into the desert at Wadi Rum for a night in a tent.

It was very windy in the desert. There were sandstorms and rainstorms during the night. It was only the second time it had rained here since the fall.

Sand storm at Wadi Rum.

Our tent camp in the desert. It was actually nice and our tent stayed dry although some others in our group had to change tents due to leaks.

It did not rain the next day and the prior rain made our day of driving in the desert much less dusty. Our group took three 4x4s into the desert.

Our 4x4s in Wadi Rum, riding in the back of a pickup.

In one of the canyons of Wadi Rum.

There were several Bedouin carvings back in the canyons.

One of our 4x4 drivers trying to go up a dune. That was as far as he went.

So our group hiked up the dune to the top of the rocks. Those are the 4x4s at the bottom of the dune on the right.  The dune was very high.

At the top.

Running down the dune. Much easier than going up, but still sandy.

After the tour of the desert, we drove to Petra, but stopped to hike to Shobak Castle, a Crusader fortress on the way. It was built in 1115 AD.

Crusader fortress from the bottom.

The next day we visited Petra. We started with a short horse ride. The ride and the horse were short.

Petra guards at the entrance.

Walking through the canyon (siq) of Petra. The location was begun in the 6th century BCE by the Nabataeans. It had a very extensive water system and served as an important trade route destination.

Through the canyon, or siq, you can begin to see the Treasury.

The Treasury, carved in the 1st century BCE, it includes elements from Greece, Rome and Egypt, which were all trading partners with the area.

In front of The Treasury.

Tombs carved into the rock.

An amphitheatre that could hold 3000 people.

We then climbed another km or so, and 800 steps, to The Monastary. 

The Monastary.

Excellent views from The Monastary area.

We then climed a little higher to what was labeled "The Best View in Petra."

More tombs carved in the colored rock.

And more tombs with steps.

After two nights in Petra, we then headed to the Dead Sea and our final destination in Jordan, Madaba.