We are sitting in the lobby of the Hilton Doubletree in Aqaba, just beyond the security x-ray machine at the entrance.
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| Beach at the Red Sea |
We went for a stroll on the beach to see the Red Sea (actually, Gulf of Aqaba). There were camel rides on the beach right next to the jet boat rentals. Women in long black robes and hijabs were in the water but the men looked the same as at any other beach.
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| Jane & Peggy at Yehoshua Falls |
Our day started with a truck ride down a wadi to Yohoshua Falls, a place discovered and named by Hertzel and Roz (and is now on the map!). Once there we hiked up the dry stream bed; should it rain, this is where the waterfall would appear. It is a starkly beautiful place. Several birds, a type of partridge, and some jets took us a bit by surprise. In the distance we could see the mountain where Petra is located, at the top the grave of Aaron, and on a clear day you could see the white dome of the tomb. For anyone who doesn't know their Bible, Aaron was the brother of Moses.
We went home for brunch, Peggy's homemade hummus and freshly harvested red peppers. This was followed quite quickly by lunch. Herzel makes a fine salad! We have been completely spoiled by homemade Israeli food and hospitality.
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| Trail near Faran |
Herzel and Peggy were then kind enough to drive us to the border where we were met by a member of our tour company to assist us in our border crossing. The tour company drove us to our hotel in Aqaba and will pick us up in the morning for our tour to Petra. We only need to negotiate the lobby!
Peggy tells us that Petra and Wadi Rum are the most spectacular places she has seen in her extensive world travels so we are more than a little excited.
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