6th April

I write from anchorage E10, the southern end of the Suez Canal and preparing for our transit on the 8th.  It has been some time since I wrote, we have transited from Salalah to Aqaba, Jordan, via the RTC and the Bab-El-Mandeb Straits between Djibouti and Yemen.  Translated literally the ‘Bab’ is “Gate of Tears”.

Our route, from Salalah to the RTC and thence through the Bab-El-Mandeb and the Red Sea

Our route, from Salalah to the RTC and thence through the Bab-El-Mandeb and the Red Sea

In the RTC, the green triangles are transponders of other vessels

In the RTC, the green triangles are transponders of other vessels

The RTC is the Recommended Transit Corridor for vessels approaching, or coming from, the Straits and it is a corridor which is monitored by Naval forces, a legacy from the days when Somali pirates were in abundance.  Despite the reduction of incidents, it is still recommended that we use the route.

We pass through the Straits and the Vessel Traffic System takes us 1½ miles off the Yemeni island of Mayunn.  Through binoculars one could see tanks and anti-aircraft weapons with other unknown items covered by camouflage nets. 

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Onwards then, up the Red Sea, making for Aqaba, Jordan, the purpose of the call being that it lies 2-hour’s drive away from the ‘lost’ city of Petra and one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

On a General Cargo berth, although a new Cruise terminal is planned

On a General Cargo berth, although a new Cruise terminal is planned

An abandoned cargo ship on the opposite berth

An abandoned cargo ship on the opposite berth

and the reason for the abandonment, a fire...been there, done that, however that's another story

and the reason for the abandonment, a fire…been there, done that, however that’s another story

Approaching the dock

Approaching the dock, a massive Jordanian flag flying

with the sun rising

with the sun rising

 

Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia all share the north end iof the Gulf of Aquaba. Each has huge flags which can be seen from either country and Saudi have this sign on the side of a hill

Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia all share the north end of the Gulf of Aqaba. Each has huge flags which can be seen from either country and Saudi have this sign on the side of a hill

Looking over the city of Aqaba.

Looking over the city of Aqaba.

We (K1, K2 and Ivana) were fortunate enough to be able to go.  Words seem so inadequate when trying to describe the city.  It is not known precisely when it was built, however it began to prosper in the 1st century BC and grew rich on the trade of Frankincense, Myrrh and spices. It continued to thrive until a large earthquake in 363 AD and much of the city was destroyed.  Changes in trade and the earthquake led to its downfall and it was ultimately abandoned.  By the 7th century it was deserted and lost to memory, except for local Bedouin.   It was ‘rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer and became known by European travellers.  It is believed that 80% of the city is still unexplored and much of it covered by the sand and rocks in the area.  This post is therefore a composition of photos, as opposed to writing, a picture being worth a thousand words.

During the bus ride, passing desert...

During the bus ride, passing mile upon mile of desert and rock.

Bedouin tents

Bedouin tents

..and empty roads

..and empty roads

Police roadblocks are common, identity checks frequent

Police roadblocks are common, identity checks frequent

A stop for a break....

A stop for a break….

with the opportunity to look over the Wadi Moussa

with the opportunity to look over the Wadi Musa

K2 and Ivana

K2 and Ivana

...and K1

…and K1

 

Using a telephoto lens, the entrance to city of Petra

Using a telephoto lens, the entrance to city of Petra

Without the telephoto, one wouldn't even know a city was in this mountain

Without the telephoto, one wouldn’t even know a city was in this mountain

We arrive through theVisitors Centre

We arrive through the Visitors Centre

Every nationality in the world must be here

Every nationality in the world must be here

A walk from the centre, the path lined either side with tombs cut into the rock

A walk from the centre, the path lined either side with tombs cut into the rock

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At the end of the path, one is confronted with a narrow gorge, the Siq and only entrance to the city

At the end of the path, one is confronted with a narrow gorge, the Siq and only entrance to the city

Guards are at the gate

Guards are at the entrance

700 metres of sheer cliffs and a narrow passge

700 metres of sheer cliffs and a narrow passage

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Channels cut into the rock, water to the city flowed down it.

Channels cut into the rock, water to the city flowed down it.

The sheer walls are carved

The sheer walls are carved

After a long walk, a hnt of what lies within, the facade of the Treasury

After a long walk, a hint of what lies within, the facade of the Treasury comes into view.

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Looking back, from the Treasury, the entrance gorge right.

Looking back, from the Treasury, the entrance through the gorge, right. centre

Camel rides as well as mules are available

Camel rides as well as mules are available

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Although some guests had a challenge getting on and off :-)

Although some guests had a challenge getting on and off 🙂

School children, presumably on an educational visit,posing for a photo

School children, presumably on an educational visit, posing for a photo

 K1 and I went ‘mountain climbing’ on a mule last year and so we decided to try to see some of the items we had missed.  If the truth be told, one would need a week here to see all of it, ‘doing Petra in a day’ is a daunting and impossible task.  We walked down the ‘Street of Facades’ and popped into a path-side cafe for some water, it was here that we came upon ‘Solomon’ a 35-years old local who had been born in the caves and still lived in one.  He told us that approximately 50 families still make their home here.  He offered to show us around for $20 and we started climbing….

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The Streets of the Facades

The Streets of the Facades

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A house......

A house……

The sandstone and lime rock beautifully coloured by the weathering, almst a mosiac

The sandstone and lime rock beautifully coloured by the weathering, almost a mosaic

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Looking over the Wadi Mousa

Looking over the Wadi Mousa, the Monastery lies in the mountains in the background

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The theatre, carved out of rock

The theatre, carved out of rock

The Royal tombs

The Royal tombs

Inside the 'Roman' tomb

Inside the ‘Roman’ tomb

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So named because of the depicted Roman soldier, carved above the entrance door.

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We later took mules to get to the higher out-of-the-way places, here is a selfie :-)

We later took mules to get to the higher out-of-the-way places, here is a selfie 🙂

On the other hand the policemen ride in style

On the other hand the policemen ride in style

After climbing and riding, we were exhausted and the mere prospect of walking back to the bus filled us with dread.  We managed the mile or so, over rough ground and uphill; thankfully I had frequent stops, waiting while K1 pillaged……..

Hmnnn, what have we here, I wonder?

Hmnnn, what have we here, I wonder?

Aha! The deed is done and money is exchanged, everyone happy!

Aha! The deed is done and money is exchanged, everyone happy!

Our entrance ticket included a horse ride, either from the Visitors Centre to the entrance of the Siq, or vice versa. O wise one chose the latter, my calves on fire with the hiking, I sighted my steed and mounted the beast, not caring that there would be embarrassing photos of the Captain riding a horse  😳 Pure heaven and a slow trot up the hill….

K1 on her mighty steed..

K1 on her mighty steed..

Some beautiful Arabian horses

Some beautiful Arabian horses could be found.  (This was not mine, I have to add; mine was a slow plodder I’m pleased to say.).

and of course, goats...where would one be without them?

and of course, goats…where would one be without them?

So, after a long day, all back on the bus and towards the ship, tired but happy.  Tomorrow we transit the Suez canal; an early start, 4 a.m., for assembly and the convoy, it is going to be a long day.