Wadi Rum

It is a 5 hour drive to wadi rum from Amman. We stop for drinks and food for the journey. I pick up a couple of the cheese and meat breads and some snacks.

As we leave town the landscape turns more dessert like.

First we stop to gain admission to the site, since it is a protected area.

We gather our things and move to jeeps that will take us around in the sand.

First stop is at a natural spring and place to get tea. I skip the climb to the spring due to the heat. The temperatures are not as hot as Egypt but I am still weary of getting overheated. The tea is good, it is a black tea with sage and other spices as well as sugar. The tour guide talks me into getting a scarf which is common in the region. He helps me tie to my head. We see camels and goats.

My guide and I wearing Jordanian scarves

When everyone gets down from the hill we go to our next location. It is a hike up a sandy mountain to a lookout point.

The guide advises us no shoes for part one and shoes on for part two of hike up.

I take off my shoes and have a very calf intensive hike up in deep sand. I cannot say that part is fun but it is a relief when it was time to put shoes on for the rocky part. At that point there is a light climb (but it could have been higher and more challenging if I wanted) to some beautiful views of the region. I took copious photos then started to head down.

When I arrive at the sandy area once more I start to sort of jog down. It is quite fun. I am in the shade and the sand softened each step. I can’t run anymore because of my bad feet but this is the closest I have had to it in a while. Plus it was a heck more fun than going up.

The third stop is a natural bridge. I loved Arches National Park in Utah so I would normally say I am not as impressed but at this arch you are allowed to stand on top. I don’t remember being able to do this in Utah.

We snapped our photos and went on to our camp site.

I paid for the single supplement so I have my own tent.

We throw our stuff in our tents and head off to watch the sunset which is beautiful.

Dinner is lamb, cucumber salad, rice, vegetables. Very good.

After dinner it is time for campfire. Dining area lights are turned off and we lie down and look at the sky. It is amazing. So many stars. I never get to see the sky this way because of all the city lights.

Early to bed for long morning hike tomorrow.

But I hear wild cats off in the distance maybe?

What is that sound?

In Jordan

I arrive in Jordan and things are already going well. A fancy town car picks us up and our hotel seems pretty nice.

Hotel is nicer than any we had in Egypt. It is a welcome change.

Amman is peaceful but lively. People talk to you because they are interested in you. It is refreshing to have people not trying to sell you something or to ask you on a date.

We decide to walk up to the citadel because I read somewhere that the Dead Sea scrolls were on display (we later learn those were moved to the Jordan museum). Very disappointed about that mistake but the museum did have a couple of cool things.

Roman Temple of Hercules

Also on the hill is a temple built during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

We also see other ruins at the top.

Soon it is time to meet with our tour leader. After a brief meeting he takes us on a quick food tour of the area.

We stop first at Habibah Sweets and try some kunafa (one of my favorites) and something else similar.

Soon we are taken to the fruit market. We pick up some snacks for our journeys the next couple days.

Have I said how much I love visiting local food markets?

Soon we say goodnight to our guide the group splits up to grab dinner. I decide to join the girls who are going to get falafel. It is a good choice because it is probably the best falafel I’ve ever had.

Hashem Restaurant Down Town

Then it is off to bed. We head to the desert tomorrow.

Egyptian Home Visit

During my tour of Egypt we have two opportunities to have home cooked meals. First time is with a Nubian family and the second time is a traditional Egyptian family.

We learn about family customs and are served a delicious meal of orzo type soup, potatoes, rice, vegetables, and chicken.

Experiences like this are just one of many advantages you get on a small group tour that uses local hosts like Intrepid Travel. I highly recommend their tours.

Valley of the Kings

Saving the best for last.

It is good that Valley of the kings is at the end of my tour versus the beginning. I think that if I would have started my tour of Egypt with these amazing colorful hieroglyphics tombs I think I would have been disappointed by the time I made it to the pyramids.

We start our day visiting the welcome center at the valley of the kings. The diorama shows all the tombs that are known in 3D form.

A shuttle takes us to the sights. It is a good thing because it is a long walk and very hot.

You may see three tickets above that I stupidly put in my back pocket. Later on these tickets fall out of my pocket. The valley of the kings ticket lets me see three tombs but I end up only seeing one due to the lost ticket.

Luckily I choose to see the expensive separate fee tombs first before I lose the tickets.

Pharaoh Ramesses IV

One tomb I am able to view before I lost my ticket is the tomb of Rameses IV. It is my introduction to the clear images with the vivid colors. Kind of amazing this has lasted since 1100’s BCE.

Next up is the visit the tombs I paid extra for. I got to visit the infamous tomb of Tutankhamen that was discovered by Howard Carter. King Tut died young and was only really memorable because of the state that his tomb was found in. Because he died so soon he was quickly buried in a less conspicuous tomb. Hidden well, it stayed intact for a great while. The front room is looted over time but the hidden tomb area stayed in its original state. It gives us great knowledge on burial practices of ancient Egyptians.

Tomb of Tutankhamen

Finally I visit the tomb of Sety I (last only because I lose my tickets). This tomb is worth the extra admission. It is amazing and there are no crowds at all. In fact the man inside sneaks me inside closed off areas because I’m the only one there (expecting tips of course). It is a great experience.