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Published: June 11th 2017
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Wadi Rum in the morning
View from the campsite in Wadi Rum Today was a highlight for me: camel riding!
We slept well in our tent in Wadi Rum and got up around 7, for breakfast at 7:30. Susan and I had a Turkish coffee with breakfast. I'm getting used to having several Turkish coffees a day!
I left the tent for the bathroom last night around 11 or so and the campsite looked magical with the small lights around the tents and on the paths. The moon was super bright.
We left the camp about 8:45 this morning, and got back into our jeeps for about a 15 min drive to where we met our camels. Everyone but Louise got on their camel for our 1 hour camel ride, though Jill didn't last long on her camel and was picked up by a jeep. The camel ride was so much fun! I didn't want it to end. I'm so glad Susan and I have the opportunity to ride camels again this trip (in the Sinai near St. Catherine's Monastery).
The ride was more comfortable than I thought it would be. Camels have a particular gait because they move both of their legs on one side at the same
time (both left legs, then both right legs). It was kind of a rolling motion being in the saddle, but as I said, pretty comfortable. You didn't have to hold on particularly tightly at all. I had a pretty white camel. It was a blast and I was sorry when the time came to get off the camels. The scenery in Wadi Rum was lovely and it was just so much fun being on the camels.
Susan and I wore our Bedouin scarves which Susan tied pretty well I thought. They worked really well to shield our heads and necks from the sun. We put them on in the tent and several people from our group, including Mohammed, didn't recognize us at first!
At the end of our ride we sadly got off our camels and our great driver Sami was there waiting for us with our mini van. We made several stops on the way to Wadi Musa, which is the town where Petra is located. We had a few bathroom/refreshment breaks (more Turkish coffees). We also stopped to see the famous Ottoman train which was involved in the Arab Revolution in 1917, to take photos of
a camel crossing sign (these signs are all over the place), and at an observation point for more photos. Our lunch stop was at Al-Arabi restaurant in Wadi Musa for falafel and shawarma.
We got to our hotel, Petra Moon, about 3 ish. We got our room assignments, and got the wifi working (it isn't free but is a reasonable 3 JD for two days - about $6). We did some laundry then Susan and I headed up to the pool for a dip. The water was very cold but refreshing. The pool is on the rooftop and has a lovely view of the hills around Wadi Musa.
We will meet the group for dinner at 7 pm. Breakfast and dinner is included at the hotel. I think we'll be able to squeeze in a gin and tonic before dinner! We may go to the Cave Bar after dinner for a drink. It is located in a 2000 year Nabatean rock tomb and Lonely Planet says not to miss it! Tomorrow we meet the group at 7:30 am for our day at Petra. We are only a few minutes away from the entrance to Petra.
We have
Wearing Bedouin scarf
Expertly tied by Susan had an awesome day today (yay camels!) and we are really looking forward to seeing Petra tomorrow.
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scott.walker
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Can't wait for Petra tomorrow!