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Published: April 15th 2018
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Relaxed start to the day, brekky at 8am and after packing we went for a little exploration around Aqaba for a couple hours. We then checked out at noon and Lana took us to a local pizza place for lunch before boarding our bus for the 2 hour journey to our camp in the desert, Wadi Rum. First stop in Wadi Rum is the visitors centre where there is a great view of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, shops and pretty yucky toilets. It was then a short drive to a spot where we were transferred to utility jeeps. Four people were sat in the back of each jeep. This spot also had some very old forms of writing on rocks. We then were taken on a fantastic tour of features in the Wadi Rum area. First stop was a big sand dune which was a very deep red colour, similar to what you see in Central Australia. The general colour is more light brown.
Next stop was a slot canyon which we walked/climbed up which was fun and we saw more old writing and some Arabic from the time of Lawrence of Arabia. Many of the rock formations in
Wadi Rum reminded us of the Olgas in Central Australia. Next stop was the most exciting. It was a bridge formation and Lana explained that we could either climb up to it and cross it at our own risk or simply go around the other side to have a look at it. Phil went straight up so I followed along with Daisy, Marie and Pierre. When we got to the bridge it didn't look very wide so it was a bit scary but we all scrambled across and gathered at the other end but only Phil climbed up to the other side. We then posed for photos holding onto each other before scrambling back to safety where we then had a look at the bridge we just crossed. To be honest, I'm not sure we would have done it, if we had seen it from the other angle, but it was fun. Brian had also followed and took some photos of us clinging to the rocks.
Next spot was another bridge but this time Lana didn't allow us to climb and cross. She probably saw how badly we handled the previous one. This one didn't look as scary anyway
but it was a fairly difficult climb to get there. By now it was about 6pm and we were driven to the bottom of a sand dune which we climbed to wait for the sunset. It got a bit windy at times while we were waiting but I enjoyed watching the colours of the desert change as the sun went down. It went from the normal browny red to a darker red and even green in places.
As soon as the sun went down we hopped back into our jeeps and were transported to our Wadi Rum campsite and Daisy was a very happy camper when she saw our "tent". Very beautiful structures covered in woven fabric and were all elevated above the ground with wooden floors. I guess it was pretty close to "glamping" rather than camping. Bathroom facilities were also western style but Lana asked us not have a shower if possible, as the Bedouins are always short of water supply. I've noticed that Lana is always reminding us of being responsible tourists as this seems to be the policy of Intrepid travel, so very good. We finished off the day with a chicken and roast vegetable
meal cooked on coals in the ground (Bedouin style) plus the usual rice, hummus, salads and sweet tea. Then some of the Bedouins came in and played some music and encouraged us to clap along. Daisy and Mary got up and danced with them as well.
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Bob Worsley
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What a great day. :-)